Rio Olympics 2016: Sydney pubs allowed to stay open longer to celebrate Games
Sydney hotels screening key Rio Games events will be allowed to stay open later – or earlier, some might say – for punters to cheer on Olympians.
But there’s a catch or two. The extra hours apply only to premises outside the city’s lockout zone. Plus, the additional trading time is after 4am.
Licensed venues are permitted to open for six extra hours – between 4am and 10am – on Sunday, August 21, for the women’s basketball and men’s football finals in Rio, the NSW government has decided.
On Monday, August 22, when the men’s basketball final is played, hotels and clubs can stay open for one extra hour – between 4am and 5am.
“While you might not be able to replicate the atmosphere in Rio, getting down to your local with some friends and cheering on our Aussie heroes has got to be the next best thing,” Deputy Premier Troy Grant said.
Fans watch the NRL grand final at a pub in 2010. Photo: Jonathan Carroll
The usual extension given to venues from 10pm to midnight for the NRL grand final will also apply. This year, the event is on Sunday, October 2.
Mr Grant said the extension would prevent a mass exodus of patrons placing extra pressure on transport systems.
The dates and times of the trading extensions were chosen after consultation with industry.
