Publications > Changes to Liquor Act - will there be boutique bars in Queensland?

24 June 2009

 

On 1 January 2009 new laws came into effect which will restructure the types of liquor licences available in Queensland and increase the flexibility of the liquor licensing system.

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Among the changes is the introduction of a “bar licence”. Section 70 of the Liquor Act 1992 (the Act) provides for the introduction of a the new licence called “the bar licence”, for venues with the capacity to seat not more than 60 patrons at any one time. Similar licences have been available in both Victoria and New South Wales for some time and have been credited with establishing the European style culture in those cities (in particular Melbourne which has had “laneway bars” for many years) with smaller boutique venues being established in an effort to move patrons away from large “beer barns”.

 

By introducing boutique venues the government is aiming to change the drinking culture of Queensland. As stated by the honourable Mr Wendt, member from Ipswich West, “it is anticipated that these convivial establishments, with a capacity of 60 patrons, will enhance the ambience of a city and potentially foster the growth of live music and cultural venues across the state”. Of course as with any major change in licensing regulation there are both advantages and disadvantages for prospective venue owners.

 

Advantages of the bar licence include:

	Reduced annual liquor licence fees from $2,784.00 to $516.00 for the venue owner;
	No requirement for on premises toilets; and
	No requirement for meals to be available on premises.

 

Disadvantages of the bar licence include:

Whilst the Act provides that the venue is only to have capacity to seat 60 patrons the total number of patrons allowed in the venue at one time has not yet been established (i.e. it is not known how many “standing patrons” will be permitted in the boutique bars in addition to the seated patrons prescribed by the Act);

	The same opening hours of 10am to 12pm as for other commercial licensed venues;
	No change to local council criteria for licensed venues to take account of the bar licence;
	No reduction in other liquor licence fees (other than the annual liquor licence fee) including fees for a permit to trade after midnight (which is currently $7,500.00 to trade from midnight to 3am ($5,625.00 if the permit is only for weekends) and $10,000.00 for a permit to trade from 3am to 5am ($7,500.00 if the permit is only for weekends); and
	and No reduction in the amount of fines that can be levied by the Department of Liquor, Gaming and Racing for infringements of the Act. Guidelines introduced by the Department of Liquor and Gaming.

 

Also included in the changes to the Act were changes introduced to allow the Department of Liquor, Gaming and Racing to develop guidelines for the administration of the Act and to assist venue operators navigate the intricacies of the Act and its administration.

 

These guidelines are currently being established and various interest groups have been requested to make submissions on behalf of the industry and community.  This will ensure that the guidelines that are established are fair and address the concerns of not only the community at large, but potential operators of boutique bars who currently face the same barriers to entry into the market as the larger “beer barns”, including the high cost of approval from local councils to operate a licensed venue and exorbitant licence application fees, in particular for licensed venues that intend to trade from midnight to 5am.

 

To this end B3 (Brisbane Boutique Bars) has been established to voice the concerns of persons intending to open a boutique venue and to lobby the Brisbane City Council and Department of Liquor, Gaming and Racing to ensure that potential venue owners may establish a boutique venue in Brisbane with minimal cost whilst ensuring that the venue integrates with the local community.  Rostron Carlyle is proud to be affiliated with B3 and look forward to assisting the group and boutique venue operators in establishing a regime that allows for the new bar licences to be used to their full advantage.

 

Given the radical changes to the Act and the ongoing submissions as to the guidelines, the exact requirements of these new venue types is likely to remain unsettled for some time.  

Rostron Carlyle is able to assist you with all of your liquor licensing requirements and look forward to assisting venue operators establish Boutique Bars in and around Brisbane.  Look out for our updates on the changes to the Act and the establishment of guidelines by the Department of Liquor, Gaming and Racing.

 

Rostron Carlyle Solicitors

 

"The information contained in this article isgeneral in nature and cannot be regarded as anything more than general comment. Readers of this article should not act on the basis of this comment without consulting one of Rostron Carlyle's legal practitioners who will consider their particular circumstances".

 

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