Pubs and clubs' patrons will be the big winners during October thanks to the NSW Government extending trading hours for venues that televise and support major upcoming sporting and cultural events.
A series of special event extended trading nights kicked off on the long weekend and will continue through until the Rugby World Cup final on 29 October.
Special event extended trading hours are made available under the Liquor Act 2007 for events that are of "regional, state or national significance."
Extended trading does not apply to takeaway alcohol trading times and individual trading restrictions and other special conditions on a venue's liquor licence remain in force.
Additional extended trading hours for 2023:
| Event | Extension |
|---|---|
| Bathurst 1000 | 10pm to midnight, 8 October for venues in the Bathurst LGA (specifically Abercrombie, Bathurst, Eglinton, Kelso, Llanarth, Mitchell, Mount Panorama, Orton Park, Perthville, Raglan, South Bathurst, West Bathurst and Windradyne) |
| Rugby World Cup 2023-Quarter-Final 1 | Midnight to 5am, 14 October to 15 October, statewide |
| Rugby World Cup 2023-Quarter-Final 2 | 5am to 8am, 15 October, statewide |
| South by Southwest Sydney | 10pm to midnight, 15 October for venues in Sydney and The Rocks in the City of Sydney LGA |
| Rugby World Cup 2023- Quarter-Final 3 | Midnight to 5am, 15 October to 16 October, statewide |
| Rugby World Cup 2023-Semi-Final 2 | 5am to 10am, 22 October, statewide |
| South by Southwest Sydney | 10pm to midnight, 22 October for hotel or club premises in Sydney and The Rocks (City of Sydney LGA) |
| Rugby World Cup 2023-Final | 5am to 10am, 29 October, statewide |
More information on extended trading.
More information about South by Southwest Sydney.
Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy Jonh Graham said:
"These big events, whether they are major televised sporting and motor racing fixtures or the first ever South by Southwest festival to be held in Sydney, are bringing people together and of course we want to support that as part of returning vibrancy to NSW.
"Local venues get a much-needed boost in numbers out of this and in turn boost their local and night-time economies.
"I'm very pleased that people attending South by Southwest will have the chance to see Sydney at its best after dark, with more venues able to open later as people walk between shows and venues soaking up the music, the ideas and the culture of an event being held for the first time outside its home city of Texas."
Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:
"This October is going to be huge for sporting and cultural events in NSW and we want to support fans and venues to enjoy a piece of the action.
"Our bumper October of extended trading kicked off with the NRL Grand Final. It was a huge success, with patrons able to celebrate for longer than usual after the final whistle at the same venues where they had been cheering on their favourite teams.
"I look forward to NSW sports fans being able to enjoy extended trading hours at their favourite venues as they watch the rest of this month's big sporting events, including the Rugby World Cup and the Bathurst 1000.
"What's more, audiences attending the wide mix of technology, music, film and cultural events on opening and closing nights of SXSW Sydney can continue the celebration with hotels and clubs in the City of Sydney LGA open until midnight."
