Lockout laws not the death sentence predicted, some businesses say there are actually benefits

For those not catering exclusively to the late-night party set there have actually been many benefits.

5 Boroughs Cafe owner Sav Aristides is making his own niche on the Darlinghurst Rd party strip.

5 Boroughs cafe restaurant owner Sav Aristides / Picture: Ross Schultz

“It’s created an opportunity to do something different. The Cross is in transition now, it’s becoming more of a residential place than the seedy place it used to be,” he said. “We don’t have all the girls outside and the cars hooning past any more.”

His cafe is open until 3am and when the lockouts kick in at 1.30am, people start streaming in for a late-night meal and drink.

“After 1.30am I’ve got a whole lot of people that can’t get in anywhere else that come here,” he said.

“There’s nothing like us here. It’s lit up, not dark and dingy, so we’re catering to a different crowd.”

Lockouts means less drunks on the street, businesses say.

Mr Aristides said the introduction of ID scanners was also bringing people through his door.

“We have the older guys in their 60s and 70s, many from out of town, walking around without ID coming here because they can’t get into the pubs and clubs,” he said.

George St’s De La France cafe was severely affected by drunken violence before the liquor laws.

“There are less reports in the incident book from overnight now,” manager Samantha Eddie said.

De La France on George St / Picture: Ross Schultz

“We used to have to call police for fights and lots of drunken behaviour outside, unruly people, there were times when chairs were thrown in here. The streets have been calmer and safer, and we get more customers.”

Victoria St’s Tropicana Caffe is only a short distance from the Kings Cross Coke sign and owner George Semaan said the more subdued atmosphere was luring customers.

George Semaan fro Tropicana Caffe / Picture: Ross Schultz

Source: Daily Telegraph - 4th September 2014