Amsterdam's night mayor has an alternative for Sydney's lockout laws
Amsterdam and Sydney are polar opposites when it comes to nightlife.
While the Dutch capital contains numerous clubs with 24-hour licenses, Australia's largest city has operated strict lockout laws since 2014.
Patrons are forbidden from entering licensed venues located in Sydney's city centre after 1:30 a.m., and alcohol service is cut at 3 a.m. on the dot, due to concerns about alcohol-fuelled violence.
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It's a measure which "doesn't make sense" to Amsterdam's Night Mayor, Mirik Milan, who spoke to the ABC.
"I think [lockout laws] will not work because, probably, what the State Government wants is behavioural change, and you don't get behavioural change from blaming it on the operators," he told the news outlet.
"I think a modern day nightclub should have multiple uses, it's not about dancing 24 hours a day."
"I think behavioural change comes from bottom-up initiatives, investing in your community and trying to change their behaviour from within."
The Night Mayor of Amsterdam is an independent non-for-profit foundation, a liaison which bridges the gap between business owners, residents and governments. Milan has led the organization since 2012 and was active in pushing for 24-hour licenses for certain venues.
The licenses have been awarded to venues that have "multi-disciplinary" aspects that serve the local community. For example, one 24-hour license holder, De School, is a gym, gallery and restaurant, while also operating as a nightclub.
"I think a modern day nightclub should have multiple uses, it's not about dancing 24 hours a day," he said.
Part of the argument for these long operating hours is the ease in dispersing crowds.
"When the venues close, they all close at the same time. So they have to push the people on to the street all at the same time. When you push 1000 people on to the street at 4 a.m., this of course causes a lot of noise for neighbours, because of course it's not controllable," he said.
"So widening the hours, [it's about] making sure people can decide for themselves on when they want to leave ... also the clubs are really important in taking care of their surrounding area, and not just to their doorstep."
Recently, a review into Sydney's lockout laws recommended the relaxation of last entry and alcohol cessation times by 30 minutes. The laws have received strong support from health professionals and politicians, but have been derided by musicians and young people.
