The NSW State Government has announced the first three Sydney venues to be given an exemption from the controversial lockout laws… but only for an extra half an hour.

CBD venues thePalace Hotel, the Observer Hotel and the ArtHouse Hotel have qualified under the Government’s new initiative to reward live entertainment venues by allowing them to apply for a later lockout time of 2am and last drinks of 3:30am on nights they provide live entertainment after midnight.

The changes were announced by Paul Newson, deputy secretary of the state Justice department.

“Industry feedback suggests up to 50 venues could take advantage of the relaxed lockout and last drinks times,” Newson told the Sydney Morning Herald.

If you wish to apply for an exemption you can download the form here, a fact sheet here, or email Liquor and Gaming NSW for any other queries.

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