The Old Fitzroy Hotel in Sydney faces a major blow as it’s forced to cut outdoor hours, raising concerns about the city’s nighttime economy and outdoor dining regulations.
Bollywood Fever: The popular Old Fitzroy Hotel in Sydney’s inner city Woolloomooloo has been forced to significantly reduce its outdoor opening hours, a move that has sparked outrage among patrons and pub operators alike.
The trendy venue, known for its bustling alfresco dining area, will now have to close its outdoor space at 8 p.m. daily, two hours earlier than its longstanding 10 p.m. license allowed.
This development came as a surprise to the pub’s operator, Odd Culture, whose director, James Thorpe, expressed his frustration over the decision.

Thorpe noted that the City of Sydney made the call in June but failed to communicate it until Friday, leaving the pub blindsided by the change.
“All the conversations I’ve had with people at council seem to believe this was a mistake,” Thorpe said, emphasizing that the pub had no compliance issues over the past three years. “We haven’t heard from council, we’ve just had our hours silently wound back.”
The timing of this change is particularly problematic, as the pub now faces the prospect of having to bring customers inside while it’s still daylight, especially during the summer months.
This alteration is expected to cost the pub close to $100,000 in lost revenue, a significant hit during an ongoing cost of living crisis.
The decision was reportedly based on complaints from two local residents about noise and crowded footpaths, as well as an inspection that noted beer kegs left on the footpath outside the venue.
Despite the complaints, the pub is now preparing to lodge another application in hopes of reinstating its previous operating hours.
The City of Sydney has maintained that it is a strong supporter of outdoor dining and expressed its willingness to work with the pub to resolve the matter.
However, the sudden restriction on outdoor hours comes at a time when the NSW government is introducing reforms aimed at revitalizing the state’s nightlife.
Premier Chris Minns recently announced changes to outdated rules around outdoor drinking, allowing patrons to remain standing while enjoying a beverage, a practice that had previously been prohibited in most areas of Sydney.
The decision to curtail the Old Fitzroy Hotel’s outdoor hours stands in stark contrast to the broader efforts to revive Sydney’s nighttime economy.
Music and nighttime economy minister John Graham has emphasized the importance of reducing red tape to get the social scene back on its feet, while Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore has also pushed for a review of outdoor alcohol restrictions.
As the debate over Sydney’s nighttime economy continues, the Old Fitzroy Hotel’s struggle highlights the tension between supporting local businesses and addressing community concerns.
The outcome of the pub’s appeal and the broader regulatory changes could have significant implications for the future of outdoor dining and the city’s nightlife.
Also Read Other Articles, China and Philippines Coast Guard Vessels Collide Again
Georgia Deputy Killed in Ambush During Domestic Dispute Response
Poland Implements Emergency Measures to Control Toxic Golden Algae in Oder River