Two of Dubbo's most popular nightlife premises have joined forces to attempt to minimise harm and alcohol-fuelled incidents.
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Both the Amaroo and Pastoral hotels are arguably the two most popular late trading in Dubbo and will trial an early lockout time over the upcoming Christmas period.
Currently, pubs and clubs are not to allow any patrons in after one am but now the partnered pubs will bring it forward by 30 minutes.
Dan French from the Amaroo Hotel said the partnership was made in conjunction with Pastoral co-owner Greg Pilon and licensing sargent John Cassidy.
"We are just happy things are getting back to normal with the pubs," he said.
"They've lifted the capacity limits this week so we can just about have what would be a normal Saturday night for us downstairs and upstairs.
"We're noticing the crowd over the last couple of years with the COVID stuff get in a bit earlier than they normally would.
"We are just trying to roll with that."
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On Monday, COVID restrictions were again eased. Indoor venues including hospitality premises can now have one customer per every two square metres which will see most venues return to normal crowd numbers.
Mr French feels the new partnership should trial successfully at both locations on Friday and Saturday evenings after many months of having limited patrons due to COVID-19.
"It's getting busy," he said.
"Last year we were probably shutting our doors at midnight and you get a bit of throwback with that when people turn about at 12:55 and expect to get in.
"We've initiated this partnership with Greg [Pilon] and he is finding the same things here.
"We just want to get crowds used to the idea they have to get in earlier and minimise a bit of harm."
The new voluntary trial curfew will be in effect at both the Amaroo and Pastoral hotels from Friday, November 12.
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