ACT nightclubs reopening early, entertainment venues back to 100%

Nightclubs and entertainment venues in the Australian Capital Territory are hurriedly rushing back to action after the ACT Government’s surprise announcement yesterday.

Nightclub openings and larger capacity for music venues were moved forward by two weeks, to this Friday November 12.

This was after the ACT reached 95% (or 370,000) of the eligible population becoming fully vaccinated.

This is one of the highest levels of vaccination in the world, and substantially assists the Australian live sector’s campaign urging fans to get jabbed so it can get back to work.

Nightclubs can reopen with dancing.

“Moves like Jagger will be seen on dancefloors across Canberra,” chief minister Andrew Barr declared, in a reference to the Maroon 5 song.

Indoor and outdoor entertainment venues with fixed seating will be able to host events at 100% seated capacity.

Drinking while standing is permitted at licensed venues as well as cafes and restaurants.

“We’re back in full swing,” exclaimed Reload Bar, while ONE22 is announcing the full lineup for its first birthday celebrations in December.

“Some of the most exciting news we’ve had to share in a while,” said Fiction, unveiling its new look and announcing a show on Friday “with a headliner that is going to get you dancing”.

The Boardwalk Bar & Nightclub is bringing back its Phish + Phreak’s Drag Takeover on Saturday.

The East Row has its weekly band nights back, while Molly, Hippo, Blackbird, Smith’s Alternative and the National Press Club reignited their regular jazz nights.

In other changes, density limits are removed for outdoor activities, and organised outdoor events can have larger crowds before needing an exemption.

Those with over 10,000 punters will need a COVID-Safe plan.

These baseline measures are anticipated to remain in place over the Christmas period – when entertainment venues have their strongest trading period – and will be reviewed in late January 2022.

Director of MusicACT Daniel Ballantyne earlier said that in the wake of a loss of a number of music venues and clashes over volume levels it was important for the Government to legislate to create entertainment areas “with appropriate sound levels and where realistic regulatory action can resolve what music venues can do, that people are out enjoying themselves in our great public spaces and those with property and leases know what to expect and enjoy”.