Perth venues gear up for Good Friday trading as liquor law reform looms
Perth’s hospitality scene is bracing for change this Easter, with a record 100 venues applying for liquor licences to serve alcohol under standard trading rules on Good Friday — double the number from last year.
49 of the venues have been approved, while 38 are waiting for a decision to be made. Only four applicants as of Friday last week, had been rejected. Nine had withdrawn.
The move comes as the Cook Government edges closer to fulfilling its election promise to simplify Western Australia’s liquor laws, which many publicans say are confusing and restrictive. Currently, alcohol can only be served between midday and 10:00pm on Good Friday and must be accompanied by a meal provided by the venue.
However, venues hosting live AFL broadcasts, weddings, live music, or “special and significant” community events can apply for exemptions.
This year, the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries urged venues to apply for occasional licences ahead of April 18.
At Leederville Precinct, which secured an occasional licence for venues including The Garden and Servo, patrons welcomed the change.
Nokturnl director Ross Drennan told The West Australian, “The public doesn’t understand why they have to order a meal to get a drink.”
Leederville Precinct hospitality manager Danielle Grosser said last year patrons were “extremely frustrated” that they couldn’t get a drink without a meal and staff became frustrated at having to repeatedly explain the rules.
Leederville Precinct general manager Carl Leembruggen said “While we should be respectful towards Christians, the vast majority of the Australian population is not Christian and Good Friday should really just be a Friday with options.”
Nokturnl has successfully applied for licences for venues including four restaurants and nine bars, with a combined capacity of 3354 people and around 250 staff.
Its venue Stories is Perth’s biggest pub, attracting between 10,000 and 15,000 patrons a week.
“We’re just trying to get ahead of the game,” Nokturnl director Ross Drennan said.
“It will probably take a few years for people to get into the swing of things and understand Good Friday is actually a great day to go out.”
Drennan took a swipe at current liquor laws.
“The public doesn’t understand why they have to order a meal to get a drink,” he said. “Your staff can only explain that so many times before it’s not worth opening.”
Jonathan Jackson, 14th April 2025
