Regulations Eased So Walsh Bay Pop-Up Bar To Stay Open Til 2am During Sydney Festival

Last year, planning conditions and restrictive trading hour regulations in the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct meant that when Sydney Festival patrons exited their show and went to enjoy the views and a post-show drink at the pop-up bar, they were almost immediately ushered back inside. But this year – no more.

This year, the NSW Government are easing restrictions and extend trading hours for the festival, which means the harbourfront Moonshine Bar can stay open and trading until 2am.

According to a statement, the regulations – which are only applicable during the 2025 Sydney Festival – are a part of the state government’s “mission to bring Sydney back to life [and] will allow Walsh Bay to show its true potential as one of the Southern Hemisphere’s leading performing arts hotspots”.

The response to this has been largely positive, apart from “protests from a single noise-averse resident”, according to SMH.

Walsh Bay could be Sydney’s version of the West End

In a statement, Arts, Music and Night-time Economy Minister John Graham said that Walsh Bay had the potential to be one of the most exciting performance hubs in the Southern Hemisphere, but has been constrained by “red tape”.

“Walsh Bay could be like the West End in London, but with harbour views,” said Graham. ““The Minns government’s vibrancy reforms have cut the red tape that has held our city back.”

“At this year’s Sydney Festival Walsh Bay will trade two hours later. That will make it a lot more vibrant on those hot summer nights.”

Sydney Festival Director Chris Tooher said that this year’s festival will now have more “streamlined licensing regulations”. 

“Thanks to new planning provisions championed by the NSW Government, visitors can enjoy the precinct’s indoor and outdoor spaces late into the summer evenings..

Walsh Bay’s wharves will once again adopt the moniker ‘The Thirsty Mile’ – and patrons will be able to quench their thirst much later into the evening.

Tranche two of the NSW Government’s vibrancy reforms

This extension in trading hours during Sydney Festival is a part of tranche two of the government vibrancy reforms legislated earlier this year. This second tier of reforms has also introduced the following year-round measures for Walsh Bay and other precincts:

• Enabling the creation of Special Entertainment Precincts (SEPs) on state owned land so places like White Bay Power Station and Walsh Bay can benefit from extended trading hours and relaxed rules.
• Amendments to the Major Events Act 2009 which make it faster and easier for the government to manage transport, street closures and other key planning measures for large scale events.
• Remove even more barriers for hospitality venues, like the antiquated ‘5km Rule’ for clubs.
• Create greater opportunities for live music through turning off development consent conditions that limit a venue’s ability to host live music.
• Removed restrictions on outdoor areas in licensed venues that restricted patrons to sitting only.