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Right: Melbourne's "bar culture" is seen by some as an attraction for both local clubbers and overseas and interstate tourists.

Background information

Lockouts and curfews - term definition
The terms 'lockout' and 'curfew' are sometimes used as though they are interchangeable. Where this occurs the meaning is usually that patrons are unable to enter a premise after a specified time, though the premises can continue to serve those patrons who are already inside. The phrase 'entry curfew' is also sometimes used with this meaning. Thus the 2.00am lockout (or curfew)trialled in Melbourne meant that patrons were not able to enter premises after this time.
In some instances 'curfew' appears to have a different meaning. The 3.30 am curfew that operates in Newcastle, for example, refers to premises actually closing at this time.
The more common definition of 'curfew' is a regulation requiring certain or all people to leave the streets or be at home at a prescribed hour.

Victoria
The 2am lockout, was the latest in a series of moves intended to combat binge drinking and alcohol-fueled violence in inner-Melbourne.
The main targets for the lockout were the city nightclub precincts, but it also covered four inner-Melbourne local government areas.
The Victorian premier, Mr John Brumby, claimed that a surge in assaults and binge drinking justified the strict new regulations.
The curfew was trialled from June 3, 2008, to September 2, 2008.
Lockouts are already in place in Bendigo, Ballarat and Warrnambool.

Western Australia
Lockout proposals for parts of Perth have been discussed in Western Australia for over a year.
It was intended that any such strategy would work in conjunction with other measures, such as an increase in public transport, to combat anti-social behaviour.
A number of strategies had been recommended to the Perth Accord, outlining strategies to combat drunken and violent behaviour in Northbridge. These included a lockout from 2am for hotels and 5am for nightclubs on Friday and Saturday nights.
However, in September, 2008, Accord members voted against introducing a curfew by a margin of 10-9.
City of Fremantle environmental health and building services co-ordinator Matthew Piggott also noted in September, 2008, that the commitment shown by licensees, the police and government agencies to the principles of the Fremantle Accord was helping to minimise the rate of alcohol-related incidents in the port city.
Mr Piggott said licensees in Fremantle continued to promote responsible service of alcohol and harm minimisation strategies in an attempt to prevent such incidents. 'As a result, lockouts are not on the agenda at this point in time,' he noted.

New South Wales
On July 1, 2008, the Liquor Act 2007, and its accompanying regulations, came into force in New South Wales.
A new administrative authority called the Casino, Liquor and Gaming Control Authority (the Authority) has been created to deal with all liquor licence applications and disciplinary matters. The Authority will replace the current Liquor Administration Board and Licensing Court of New South Wales.
The Authority has promised to administer a more transparent administrative system, while providing for more expansive enforcement powers in the hands of the Director. The Director will determine disturbance complaints, impose conditions on liquor licences and declare lockouts and curfews.
It has been suggested that the new liquor act may result in a more general imposition of curfews and lockouts in New South Wales.
Currently a lockout applies to selected premises in Newcastle. A 1.30am lockout and a 3.30am curfew currently applies. The lockout denies entrance to designated premises after 1.30am; while the curfew meant that the selected premises had to be closed by this time. Alcohol was not to be served on these premises after 3.00am.
Licensing supervisor Sergeant Wayne Buck, of the Newcastle City police local area command, said assaults in Newcastle and Newcastle West had dropped by between 19 and 42 per cent late at night and early in the morning on weekends.
There have been calls for an extension of the Newcastle arrangements into Sydney and some other cities within the state. In January 2008 Sydney began a voluntary six month trial of a 3.00am lockout.

Queensland
Queensland has a 3.00am curfew, though there are widespread exemption. Under the Liquor Act 1992, venues with an On-premises (Cabaret) licence are allowed to trade until 3am and those wishing to trade beyond this time must apply for an extended hours permit, renewable every six months. Extended hours permits are only granted with certain provisions that must be met. These provisions often include a lock-out condition.
Brisbane
From 29 April 2005 all licensed premises in the Brisbane City Council area are subject to a 3am lock-out. This condition, implemented under the Liquor Amendment Act 2005, will be trialled for a period of 12 months.
Patrons who are inside licensed premises at the time the lock-out commences may stay until the close of trade but no other patrons will be allowed to enter or re-enter after that time.
Gold Coast
From 1 April 2004, a 3am lock-out applies to all late night licensed premises on the Gold Coast.
Patrons who are inside licensed premises at the time the lock-out commences may stay until the close of trade but no other patrons will be allowed to enter or re-enter after that time.
Sunshine Coast
In 1996 Mooloolaba licensees began trialling a voluntary 1.30am curfew in an attempt to stop 'club hopping' and curb anti-social behaviour in the streets.
Since December 2003, the curfew has been a condition on all applicable Mooloolaba licenses following an agreement between the Liquor Licensing Division and local licensees that it was necessary to regulate trading practices by imposing enforcement measures.
Cairns
Lock-out conditions commenced in the Cairns CBD on 1 December 2002.
As a result, all nightclubs in Cairns close at 3am from Sunday to Thursday and licensees are allowed to trade until 5am on Friday and Saturday nights but lock-out provisions apply from 3am on those two nights.
Patrons who are inside licensed premises at the time the lock-out commences may stay until the close of trade but no other patrons will be allowed to enter or re-enter after that time.
Similar restrictions to the above apply at Towneville, Rockhampton and Mackay.