Melbourne Relaxes Drinking Laws For Small Bars And Music Venues

To help the nightlife of Melbourne thrive, a ban that stopped new boutique bars and small live music venues from serving alcohol past 1am is being removed.

The liquor licence that stopped the aforementioned venues from serving alcohol at a certain time was introduced in 2008 in an effort to lower drinking-related violence in the streets, but Liquor Regulation Minister Jane Garrett said research reveals those venues are low risk.

"Melbourne is the envy of Australia in terms of our vibrant and diverse bar scene, our live music is world renowned and we want to see that culture go to the next level," Garrett said.

Venues with a capacity of up to 200 in the council areas of Melbourne, Port Phillip, Stonnington and Yarra will be able to apply for a late-night liquor licence from July 1.

While larger venues will still need to comply with the late-night bans, extensions may be granted due to major events and on New Year's Eve.