A small bar licence allows liquor to be sold for consumption in a bar that is restricted to a maximum of 120 patrons, without gaming. Standard trading hours for small bar licences are from 12 noon to 2 am without any trading hours risk loading fees, depending on the terms of your development consent.
While takeaway sales are not permitted, small bars can sell house-made cocktails for take-away consumption if the cocktails have been mixed on the licensed premises and are in sealed containers.
Minors are also now permitted in small bars that regularly provide meals on their premises between opening time and 10pm when accompanied by a responsible adult, and in other circumstances when a ‘Minors Authorisation’ is obtained from Liquor and Gaming NSW permitting the same.
Small bars that operate with a Minors Authorisation must ensure the correct signage is displayed throughout the premises.
In addition, applicants for a small bar licence may qualify for an Interim Small Bar Authorisation enabling them to commence licensed trading on the lodgement of the licence application if their development consent meets certain eligibility criteria and a Community Impact Statement is not required.
For further information, please see Liquor & Gaming NSW’s website: https://www.liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au/operating-a-business/liquor-licences/liquor-licence-types/small-bar-licence
If you have any queries or would like to discuss applying for a small bar licence, please contact our office on (02) 8383 3777 or licensing@bsv.com.au