Kara Jung: Why it’s time we had small bars in the ‘burbs
THE small bar culture that has become a fixture of our inner city could soon spread its wings.
Planning Minister John Rau is again looking at the liquor licensing laws — and the changes that transformed the city could soon see small drinking holes popping up in the suburbs.
The cheaper licences, introduced to the CBD in 2013, encouraged more venues with a capacity of up to 120 and less red tape.
At the time, Rau said the small bars would cater to a different clientele to patrons who frequent larger pubs and clubs.
But when pubs like The Stag (which is due to reopen this week), the Dog and Duck and Colonel Light closed their doors, pop-ups and smaller hole-in-the-wall venues were served some of the blame.
This week, Norwood’s Bath Hotel owner Tony Franzon said allowing them in the suburbs would “cannibalise existing pubs”.
He pointed out our population growth has been slow and would not support an influx of small bars.
On the other hand, the small bar scene has been hailed as the prime reason behind the CBD’s rejuvenation.
Adelaide was recently lauded by both Lonely Planet and the New York Times as one of their top places to visit worldwide.
And that’s in part due to once dead laneways and deserted rooftops coming alive ... thanks to about 51 small bar licences.
So is there room for your suburban pubs and clubs as well as your intimate lamp-lit wine bars? Can the suburbs handle the competition?
Many mayors, councillors and traders have expressed support for the licences, hoping to cash in on the success of the CBD’s small-bar culture.
In June, Jetty Rd Mainstreet Management Committee chairman Mark Faulkner said: “We’ve seen the rejuvenation of the Adelaide CBD and what it’s opened. It’s time that it should be shared with other areas.”
If the State Government is serious about activating our urban corridors, then regulations on small bars should not be restricted to the CBD.
But it must also take steps to grow our population to support such a move. I say bring it on. I’d love to see some of the vibrancy of our CBD expand to the ‘burbs.
Kara Jung is The City editor. Grab your copy from cafes, small bars, pubs, clubs and offices in the CBD.
Source: Messenger Community News, 14th October 2015
Originally published as: Kara Jung: Why it’s time we had small bars in the ‘burbs
