Exclusive

City pubs and clubs may soon be granted exemptions from the state's tough 1.30am lockout laws, but in most cases only for their pokies lounges.



The Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing has confirmed it is assessing six applications from venues in the CBD entertainment precinct, five of which want exemptions for their gaming rooms only.

In the CBD, those venues are the Great Southern Hotel and Charlie Chans Bar & Bottle Shop on George Street and the Star Hotel and Scruffy Murphy's on Goulburn Street. The Colombian Hotel on Oxford Street is also seeking an exemption for its gaming room.

The only venue seeking an exemption for its bar area is Arq, a nightclub on Flinders Street in Darlinghurst, which wants the entire venue excluded from the lockout.