Bondi bars banned from selling takeaway alcohol
Kerbside bars in Sydney’s Bondi have been temporarily barred from selling takeaway alcohol after the authorities accused them of encouraging the public to flout Covid restrictions during the lockdown..
Bondi Rumba, Bondi Tony’s Burger Joint, TAQIZA, Italo House, Speakeasy, Neighbourhood, Bondi Liquor Co, Fonda Mexican and North Bondi Fish had their takeaway liquor licences revoked for seven days by Liquor and Gaming NSW.
Liquor and Gaming NSW compliance director Dimitri Argeres said the seven-day ban would allow the venues to “reset”.
"While it is understandable hospitality businesses are trying to maximise business during these hard times, this activity doesn't pass the pub test as it results in patron crowding, congestion and a lack of social distancing," Argeres told the ABC.
"It's not appropriate for this type of risky activity to continue.”
The venues face a fine of $11,000 if they are caught selling individual takeaway cocktails over the next week.
Bondi Rumba said they were “an easy target when looking for 'blame'” over the recent crowds flocking to the popular beachside suburb during a lockdown.
"I feel like we have been made a scapegoat for what has been occurring in Bondi (& Sydney as a whole)," they wrote on social media.
"To target small business rather than the people breaking lockdown protocols is really sad to me.”
Sheridan Randall, 2nd August 2021
