We’re out of lockdown, but what does that mean for pubs, bars and live music venues?
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27.07.2021

We’re out of lockdown, but what does that mean for pubs, bars and live music venues?

Melbourne Recital Centre - image by David Harris
Words by Tom Parker

Lockdown will be lifted as of 11:59pm Tuesday July 27.

After recording ten new, locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, all linked to current outbreaks and all in isolation for their infectious period, Victoria will move out of lockdown at 11:59pm tonight as planned.

As part of this, the five reasons to leave home and 5km travel limit will no longer apply, while retail, beauty salons, gyms and hairdressers are able to reopen again.

So will hospitality, but under what restrictions?

What you need to know

  • Victoria’s lockdown will end at 11:59pm on Tuesday July 27
  • New restrictions have been announced which will see hospitality and live music venues reopen their doors again
  • For pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes, it must be seated service, while dancefloors are unable to open just yet

Stay up to date with what’s happening in Melbourne here.

Running our eye over the age old PDF that gets disseminated whenever restrictions change, it appears the situation is similar to when we emerged from lockdown #4 in early June.

Pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes will be able to reopen for seated service only with a density limit of one person per four square metres. There is a patron cap of 100 people for the venue, while bookings are limited to ten. No standing service is allowed while COVID Check-in Marshals must also be on hand to ensure attendees check-in.

What’s different as we emerge from lockdown #5 compared to #4 is that venues smaller than 100sqm can have up to 25 people in their venue before the density quotient applies.

As to live music venues, whether you’re a fixed seated indoor venue or a standing indoor venue you can return to hosting gigs. There must be a maximum of 100 people per space while the density quotient of one person per four square metres applies. Dancefloors can not open just yet either.

Keen to head to gig now that lockdown is lifting? Try supporting one of these unsung Melbourne live music venues.