Police want 3am closing and no happy hours

South Australia's Police Commissioner is backing the latest push to toughen liquor licensing laws, but wants 3:00am closing and no more happy hours.

The SA Government says it plans to reintroduce legislation rejected previously by the Opposition and independents for 4:00am closure of most licensed venues.

It has responded to a string of assaults and deaths related to alcohol, entertainment venues and parties.

Commissioner Gary Burns said the police preference would be 3:00am closing for all licensed venues and lock-outs from earlier in the night.

That would mean venues could not allow patrons back in after they leave.

Mr Burns said such measures would need to be backed by policing and other support, including good public transport and monitored taxi ranks.

He urged more use of CCTV by venues and said hotels and clubs needed to bolster their security efforts.

The Commissioner favours an end to happy hours and other drinks promotions, as well as less use of glass by hotels and other entertainment venues.

He said there was also merit in the idea of chill-out rooms at venues, where patrons could take some time out if they had been drinking heavily.

SA Opposition leader Isobel Redmond said she visited an Adelaide strip club to hear management's concerns on the late night trading issue.

Mr Redmond toured Hindley Street night spots last Saturday to hear first-hand about problems including alcohol-related violence.

She said the management at the strip club urged there be more enforcement of laws by the liquor licensing authorities.

"I was in the company of, as I said, my three shadows - attorney-general, police and corrections - and, you know, naked female bodies don't do anything for me but I was quite pleased to go in and see what life's like inside," she said.

"It's the only one I've been in and it's the only one I'm likely to go in."

Source: ABC News, 11 September 2012