Late-night revival: Inner West Council approves 2am trading in new entertainment precincts
Bars and pubs in Balmain and Rozelle will be allowed to trade until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays following Inner West Council’s decision to approve six new special entertainment precincts, bringing Darling Street into line with Enmore Road.
Voted through last Tuesday, the new precincts include areas around Marrickville Road and New Canterbury Road in Dulwich Hill, Illawarra and Marrickville Roads in Marrickville, the Addison Road industrial area, and Leichhardt’s Norton Street and Parramatta Road.
Initially, the council had proposed extended trading only to midnight, but the final motion pushed the cut-off to 2am. Businesses within the precincts will also be allowed to offer outdoor dining until midnight and host small-scale cultural events such as live music without requiring separate council approval.
Of the 78 public submissions received, only 13 supported trading beyond midnight. While many cited noise concerns, the council concluded that the wider economic and cultural benefits justified the move.
Corner Bar owner Lindsay Egan welcomed the change and is now considering later hours and more frequent live music performances. “It does need revitalisation … we speak to people who say ‘we stay home and drink wine as opposed to going out and spending $60 on a bottle,’” he said.
“Young people are a big part of it. They’re fun, they like staying out late and are open to trying new products and new ideas – they are supportive of live music and late-night trade. They don’t want to be curled up in front of the fireplace at 8pm.”
Mayor Darcy Byrne cited the success of the Enmore Road precinct, which has been operating since 2022. “We are about to see a genuine renaissance of Sydney’s nightlife based here in the people’s republic of the inner west,” he said.
“We are asking the NSW government to gazette these new precincts immediately so we can help breathe new life into Sydney’s hospitality scene.”
First launched as a state government initiative, the special entertainment precinct model provides relaxed regulations for live music, dining, and late-night trade. It is expected to expand further, with Burwood and Fairfield slated to receive the designation later this year.
Jonathan Jackson, 25th June 2025
