Balmain locals clash with historic pub over noise
Long-term residents of Balmain's College Street are in dispute with the neighbouring Dry Dock Hotel, alleging late-night noise from the heritage-listed venue has disrupted the once-quiet street since its reopening following a major refurbishment.
The Dry Dock Hotel, a Cameron Street fixture since 1867, closed for a year-long refurbishment during the pandemic before reopening in late 2023. The renovation reconfigured the beer garden to accommodate up to 40 patrons, with the indoor area now trading until midnight nightly.
Residents say the change has significantly increased disturbance in the area.
The Inner West Local Planning Panel, acting on behalf of Inner West Council, unanimously approved the updated indoor and outdoor configurations and extended trading hours in June 2023, ahead of Peninsula Hospitality Group's reopening of the venue. Prior to its 2021 closure, the pub had ceased trading at 10pm on Sundays; it can now remain open until midnight.
College Street resident Wendy, 85, described the change to the street's atmosphere.
“It doesn’t ever seem to quieten down,” Wendy told nine.com.au.
“There is always noise, children screaming, the sound of motorbikes and there are always cars parked outside my window.”
Wendy said care workers who visit her regularly are often forced to park hundreds of metres away on Darling Street, as patrons "take up all the spots" near the venue. She noted the change was stark compared with the pub's prior operation.
“Before it was renovated, it was very quiet,” she added.
“It’s completely changed everything.”
Flyers have also been distributed around the suburb encouraging residents to lodge formal complaints with the venue and with Liquor & Gaming NSW. One anonymous resident said the council had not adequately consulted locals ahead of approving the changes.
“It’s hard enough living across the road from a licensed venue, let alone now having to put up with 40 people drinking outside our bedroom and lounge room doors and windows,” he said.
“It has greatly impaired our once peaceful lifestyle.”
Dry Dock Hotel co-owner James Ingram said the venue and its team were committed to being a positive presence locally.
“That includes significant investment in soundproofing during our 2022 to 2023 renovation,” Ingram said.
“Outdoor dining is part of the fabric of Balmain and Rozelle, with pubs across the peninsula offering outdoor seating that locals love, and ours is no different.
“We are proactive in working with our community on any reasonable concerns, and we publish a direct contact number for our duty manager on our website so that anything can be raised with us and addressed straight away.”
A Liquor & Gaming NSW spokesperson confirmed the regulator had received multiple noise complaints regarding the venue and had conducted several onsite assessments.
“L&G NSW has undertaken a number of onsite inspections, including assessing the level of disturbance from the hotel’s operations. No compliance issues have been identified,” the spokesperson said.
“L&G NSW has met with staff from the hotel and provided education and support on general noise mitigation measures.
“We will continue to monitor the hotel to ensure it complies with its licence conditions and obligations under the Liquor Act 2007.”
Jonathan Jackson, 9th July 2026
