Melbourne: Sydney bars are openly flouting liquor laws by trying to attract young women with offers of free champagne and 3-dollar shots.
On the eve of Good Friday nearly 10 bars were offering free shots, 3-dollar glasses of champagne and two-for-one cocktail deals.
However, these Easter specials have angered hospital authorities who have had to deal with trauma from alcohol-related violence.
"If there’s lots of alcohol being given out freely or people are being allowed to get trays of 10 drinks ... that’s wrong," the Daily Telegraph quoted St Vincent’s Hospital head of emergency Gordian Fulde, as saying.
Fulde added: "We’re really stupid drinkers and we’re stupid in as far as we drink far too much, too quickly.
"I believe the community themselves shouldn’t want to get drunk all the time ... the people serving the alcohol by law should not be allowing people to buy or get alcohol so they get into a drunken state.
"The publican in the first instance really has to have a look at that."
High discounts, two-for-the-price-of-one offers and a time frame for discounted drinks of more than two hours are all considered "unacceptable" in the liquor activity assessment guide released by the NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR).
OLGR spokesman Mark Nolan said they would come down heavily on pubs and clubs which did not promote sensible drinking behaviour.
He added: "OLGR has the power to ban irresponsible liquor promotions which lead to rapid and excessive consumption and alcohol-related violence and antisocial behaviour.
"The licensee has been reminded of his obligations to ensure the responsible service and consumption of alcohol.
"OLGR will continue to monitor promotions and liquor law compliance at the venue."
ANI
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