Bar’s big trouble in Little Oxford Street

The owners of Sydney’s newest small bar are anxious to reopen as soon as possible after a number of infringements landed them in hot water with residents and Sydney City Council.
It has almost been a month since Jack Brown and Cameron Reid, owners of Chinga-a-lings were slapped with a $3000 fine and forced to close the premises following a number of problems relating to patrons crowding the Little Oxford Street laneway entrance.
“We were up against it with the residents from the very beginning and I think the sad reality is ultimately we were never going to win,” said Mr Brown.
“As long as someone complains every week then you’re doomed, you know, like there’s nothing that you can do.”
Patrons will now be forced to enter and exit via Oxford Street if the owners wish for the bar to reopen, but Mr Brown said he was disappointed the pair weren’t allowed their full three-month trial period
Only the third small bar to open in the inner city since the NSW Government changed its licensing laws in July last year, this is just the latest episode in the premises’ troubled history.
After finding the property almost a year ago, the business venture was almost crippled by a lengthy and repetitive application process through both the City of Sydney and the Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing.
Against residential opposition, the owners won a council appeal in March to use the laneway entrance on a three-month trial basis.
Despite overwhelming popularity, two weeks into operating council ceased business on the property until the infringements could be remedied.
While debts accrue on the idle business, Brown says the priority is to get the bar up and running again.
“We’ve obviously got to get it open because we’ve invested time and money into the place, and it’s not so much that we’re accepting defeat its more that we’ve kind-of run out of avenues,” he said.
A Sydney City Council spokesperson said that while the council supports small bars and laneway rejuvenation it has to be mindful of impacts in residents.
“The City of Sydney received a number of serious complaints about the premises relating to noise, overflowing garbage and the unruly behaviour of patrons entering and exiting the small bar via Little Oxford Street.  Council officers have also visited the site and substantiated a number of the complaints,” said the spokesperson.
Sydney City Greens Councillor Irene Doutney said that the outcome justified strong concerns that neighbouring residents held during the bar’s application period.
“We have now seen the result with riotous queues, patrons coming and going as late as 1am and the laneway covered in graffiti while residents are too intimidated to leave their dwellings. Sadly some residents are already looking to move out of the area,” she said in a media statement.
“This isn’t about NIMBYs, this is about giving residents who live near entertainment precincts some sort of safety and amenity over the selfish interests of developers and entrepreneurs.”