Sydney small bar owner nominated for national award as nightlife booms

Sydney’s hospitality sector is currently undergoing a notable transformation, driven by an influx of new small-bar operators and legislative support for a 24-hour economy. The inner west of the city, particularly the Enmore and Newtown districts, has emerged as the epicentre of this shift, as a new generation of entrepreneurs finds success in a revitalised regulatory environment.

Taran Howard, formerly an electrician, exemplifies this trend. After opening his vampire, cowboy-style saloon in Enmore last September, Mr Howard found his business immediately inundated with patrons. Having entered the industry without a background in hospitality, he spent his early days in business learning to craft classic drinks on the fly. Despite having operated for only nine months, his venue, Ravenspur, has secured a nomination for Australia’s best new bar of the year, with an award ceremony scheduled for September.

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The concentration of such venues in Enmore and Newtown is reshaping the local commercial landscape. Business owners like Oliver Churcher and Claudia Morgan, who launched Bar Demo on Enmore Road last April, identified the precinct for its lower entry costs and availability compared to the Sydney CBD. According to Mr Churcher, the locality offers a distinct neighbourhood feel that complements the rhythm of local cultural institutions like the Enmore Theatre. Foot traffic in the area is often dictated by the programming at nearby stages.

This surge in activity is underpinned by specific government policy. In 2024, Enmore Road became the first special entertainment precinct in New South Wales. This legislative change allows local councils to relax restrictions on trading hours and sound levels to encourage hospitality growth following years of lockout laws and pandemic-era constraints. The City of Sydney has recently confirmed it is working with the Inner West Council on a proposal to extend similar status to the adjacent King Street in Newtown. If the proposal clears public exhibition, small bars, restaurants and takeaways could operate until 2am on the north end of King Street and up to 4am on the south end. Deputy Lord Mayor of the Inner West Council, Chloe Smith, noted that business owners on King Street have expressed significant interest in the changes after observing the success of the model on Enmore Road.

While the industry reflects on this growth, there is significant focus on long-term sustainability. James Thorpe, vice-chair of the Night Time Industries Association and director of the Odd Culture Group, welcomes the rise of smaller venues but warns that a thriving precinct requires more than just bars. If you think about what we actually want from a vibrant neighbourhood is a kaleidoscope of different business expressions at all times of day … that is not just going to be one long strip of small bars, he said. Mr Thorpe noted that in the last 18 months, various retail and office spaces on Enmore Road have been converted into hospitality venues, and that investment in a diverse high street remains essential.

The broader Australian drinks industry, meanwhile, faces ongoing economic pressures. Industry reports highlight that the cost of living crisis has impacted consumer spending, while high spirits taxes have pushed prices for cocktails closer to $30. Despite these headwinds, the industry is undergoing an internal shift toward increased inclusivity and professional development.

As the city looks toward the next phase of this development, stakeholders are focused on the following key timeline events:

• September: Ravenspur and other national nominees await the announcement of the Australia’s best new bar of the year award.
• Next year: The proposed extension of the special entertainment precinct to King Street in Newtown is expected to come into effect if public exhibition and approval processes conclude successfully.