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Australia: Victoria Government Locks Out Melbourne Bar Patrons after 2 a.m.

No Comments | July 2nd, 2008 | Trackback

Street violence outside Melbourne bars among drunken revelers and thugs got so bad that the Victoria state government imposed a three-month trial for 2 a.m. lockouts on June 3, “lockouts” meaning that patrons cannot enter or reenter a bar after 2 a.m. In 2003, a similar program imposed in Ballarat, about 70 miles northwest of Melbourne, reduced assaults by 48 percent and hospital admissions by 45 percent. Melbourne’s suburban communities may follow suit, concerned that drinkers turned away from inner-city bars may bring their troubles to suburban venues. For visitors, the rule of thumb is to stay put in your chosen bar after 2 a.m. or retire for the night.