Last drinks: Sydney's tough booze measures

Restrictions that will severely limit what people can drink after midnight are being introduced across central Sydney.

From July 18, patrons at pubs and clubs across most of the city centre will no longer be able to buy shots of liquor, double measures or ready-to-drink beverages with more than five per cent alcohol content after midnight.

Sales will be limited to four drinks per person per order after midnight and to just two drinks after 2am.

The blanket restrictions will be in place across licensed venues in most of the city centre.

The new so-called Sydney CBD Entertainment Precinct Restricted Zone stretches west to Darling Harbour, north to The Rocks, south to parts of Surry Hills and east to parts of Potts Point.

Nightclub district Kings Cross is already covered by tough restrictions, including 1.30am lockouts, drink limits and identity scanners.

The get-tough measures were introduced in Kings Cross this year following a series of violent assaults and one-punch attacks.

Police and NSW ministers say the Kings Cross measures have led to a reduction in violence they hope will now be mirrored across Sydney.

The state government defended the new restrictions, which are almost certain to cause anger among pub and club owners.

NSW Assistant Police Commissioner Mark Murdoch said the restrictions would make Sydney safer.

"This is something that is targeted entirely at community safety," he said.

"While there has been some criticism that there should be a more targeted approach, that some venues should be excluded or that we're winding back to the point where we're making NSW a nanny state - that is rubbish."

The restrictions do not apply to restaurants but do apply to most other licensed venues within the entertainment zone, including the NSW parliamentary bar.

Hospitality Minister Troy Grant said the restrictions would be reviewed periodically, and the pub and club industry had been consulted about the changes.

"This is an opportunity for people to enjoy everything the city has got to offer without being subject to or being in the middle of totally unacceptable behaviour, or likely getting a smack in the mouth," he said.

Other new restrictions that will affect venues in the precinct include a total ban on outlaw motorcycle gang colours.

Bar staff will be ordered to undergo updated responsible service of alcohol training.

Venue managers are required to keep around-the-clock incident registers and to preserve violent crime scenes.