Labor wanted to restore Sydney’s nightlife. But young people don’t have ‘time for hangovers’

On a cool Saturday afternoon, young Sydneysiders gathered in a grassy inner-west park, gently grooving to an electronic jazz band performing on a makeshift stage of red Persian rugs. As the winter sunset cast its golden hue over the free public gig, the scene became the focus of heated discussions among politicians, industry representatives, and community members on Macquarie Street. Over three hearings held in May and June, an inquiry examined the state of Sydney's live music scene, assessing its recovery after lockout laws, the aftermath of the pandemic, and the implementation of the New South Wales government’s vibrancy reforms. These reforms, launched nearly three years ago, aimed to undo a decade of decline in the city’s nightlife, which had suffered due to alcohol-related violence in 2014. The reforms, spearheaded by Music and Nighttime Economy Minister John Graham, were part of a $150 million initiative rolled out in three phases. Key measures included reducing bureaucratic hurdles, such as removing local council authority over noise complaints, restructuring planning departments to permit extended operating hours in designated nightlife zones, and offering financial incentives for venues hosting live performances. The annual budget for these reforms stood at $54.4 million, and early results suggested success. Between March 2023 and 2025, venues accessing live music incentives saw a 320 percent increase in participation, according to NSW government data. In 2023 alone, live music contributed approximately $5.5 billion to the state’s economy, adding $2.7 billion in value. Despite these positive outcomes, challenges persist. Critics argue that the incentives, which provide venues with additional trading hours and reduced liquor licensing costs in exchange for hosting live acts, have led to concerns about the quality of performances. Some claim that musicians are increasingly playing covers in the corners of “pokies pubs”, venues that combine gaming machines with bar service. Additionally, the reforms failed to address broader societal shifts affecting nightlife. For instance, rising living costs have pushed many gigs into public spaces, while generational changes in attitudes toward risk-taking and social behavior have altered how younger people engage with nightlife. John Troughton, a 28-year-old saxophonist and organizer of the Sydney Park gig, noted that young people are seeking novel and engaging environments. “People are quite hungry to be in spaces that are different and things that are new and exciting,” he said. Meanwhile, Adrian Farrugia, a researcher at La Trobe University’s Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, pointed to declining alcohol consumption among younger Australians. This shift has led to the rise of alternative venues, such as nighttime library events, as traditional bars and clubs continue to close. “The notion of being young, and that being a time of living in the moment and being unruly and being a bit risky, that seems to have changed,” Farrugia observed. “People are worried about the future.” Another growing concern relates to the role of licensing police under the Minns government’s reforms. Policymakers, industry groups, and venue operators have expressed unease over the approach of law enforcement, particularly regarding their interactions with nightlife patrons. NSW Greens MP Cate Faehrmann highlighted the disconnect between the government’s efforts to promote nightlife and the perceived hostility of licensing police. “We’ve got this one part of government that’s throwing money at venues and precincts, and encouraging people to go out and enjoy themselves,” she said. “While the culture of the police is that anybody who goes out to enjoy themselves at night is fair game.” In June, police officers equipped with drug detection dogs visited several venues along Oxford Street, including the popular LGBTQ nightclub Universal in Surry Hills, as part of operations targeting drug supply and antisocial behavior. These actions sparked backlash from local figures, including Sydney MP Alex Greenwich and Lord Mayor Clover Moore, who called for an investigation into alleged aggressive conduct by police. During the initial live music inquiry hearing in May, Acting Assistant Commissioner [name withheld] addressed concerns raised by stakeholders, though specific details remain unclear. As the debate continues, the future of Sydney’s nightlife appears shaped by a complex interplay of policy, cultural change, and law enforcement practices. Whether the current reforms will successfully revive the city’s vibrant past or adapt to the evolving preferences of its youth remains uncertain. What is clear is that the conversation surrounding nightlife in Sydney is far from over.