Liquor Licence NSWSmall bar liquor licence (NSW)
A small bar licence suits bars of up to 120 patrons where drinks, rather than food, are the focus. Small bars can trade to 2am without an extended trading authorisation and pay lower NSW Government fees than a hotel or general bar, but gaming machines aren't allowed and food must be available whenever alcohol is sold.
What the licence allows
You can
- Run a bar where drinks, not food, are the focus
- Trade until 2am without an extended trading authorisation
- Live music, DJs and other entertainment
- House-made cocktails to take away
- Minors on the premises, with an authorisation
- Lower NSW Government fees than a hotel or general bar licence
- Trade after 2am, with an extended trading authorisation
Limits
- Maximum 120 patrons at any time
- Food must be available whenever the bar is open
- No gaming machines
- The 6-hour closure period can't be varied
- Trading past 2am needs a SoRPE
Authorisations often added
- Extended trading
- Takeaway sales (included with a new licence)
- Minors (included with a new licence)
Applying for authorisations together with the licence is usually quicker than adding them later.
Cost
The cost depends on the authorisations you need. Our calculator gives an estimate that includes our professional costs and all NSW Government fees and charges.
Common questions
A licence for bars with up to 120 patrons, where drinks rather than food are the focus. Standard trading is 10am to midnight, with trading to 2am included where your development consent allows. Food must be available whenever alcohol is sold, gaming machines aren't permitted, and trading past 2am needs an extended trading authorisation and a SoRPE.
An authorisation to trade beyond standard hours. On-premises, bar and hotel licences have standard hours to midnight, so extended trading covers trading after midnight. Small bars already trade to 2am, and bottle shops can extend Sunday trading from 10pm to midnight. Regular late trading also increases your annual licence fee.
A Statement of Risks and Potential Effects (SoRPE) describes the impact a liquor licence might have on the local community. Certain applications need one, depending on the licence type and the notification required. A well-prepared SoRPE deals with risks before objectors raise them.