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Armed police shut down luxury bar last weekend after its owners missed a liquor licence renewal by just one day. Business owners and politicians have criticised the heavy-handed response, warning the CBD nightclub raid could stagger Sydney’s fragile nightlife revival.
The high-profile enforcement comes as the city’s night-time economy tries to recover from COVID closures and years of lockout laws.
At about 12:30am on Sunday, June 29, riot squad officers swept into Song of Eve, a Bridge Street hotspot known for its premium cocktail service. Roughly 380 patrons were cleared out of the venue, which was operating above its licensed capacity of 100 people, including staff.
NSW Police pull the plug on Sydney nightclub, Song of Eve
The venue’s liquor licence had been suspended three days earlier after owner Min Ho “Conrad” Song missed a renewal payment. NSW Police wasted no time intervening, shutting down the bar mid-party and confiscating the remaining alcohol stock.
Three days later, tactical officers intensified their response. On Wednesday, they returned with a search warrant and a battering ram, removing premium liquor from the premises including $700 bottles of Don Julio and a $750 Dom Perignon.
Song, 32, who also runs Sydney financial firm Maqro, now faces seven offences, including selling alcohol without a licence, exceeding venue capacity, and hiring unlicensed security staff. If convicted, he could face up to 12 months in jail and fines of up to $60,000.
Song is on bail and due in Downing Centre Local Court on July 23.
Critics slam ‘prohibition-era’ tactics in high-end CBD nightclub raid
As per Daily Mail, Libertarian MLC John Ruddick called the lapse a “victimless crime,” criticising the raids as “nanny state overreach,” and warning it deepens Australia’s “dysfunctional relationship with alcohol”.
“Song of Eve is obviously a popular venue. I hope it can return to business as normal immediately,” Ruddick said.
Business Sydney’s executive director Paul Nicolau noted that while compliance matters, Sydney’s after-dark economy depends on more support and less intimidation.
“The last thing we need in our vibrant city is raids that are reminiscent of America’s prohibition era,” he added.
A “one-day oversight,” says venue spokesperson
In a statement to the Daily Telegraph, a spokesperson for ‘Song of Eve’ clarified the renewal was “overdue by one day” due to “an administrative oversight” and said the venue is cooperating with licensing authorities to resolve the issue.
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