The fight for Sydney’s urban culture is set to come to a head at the state election this weekend, with some parties promising to protect, reinvigorate and restore the city’s night time economy in the wake of lockout laws, festival shutdowns and the present government’s anti-nightlife policy.

To show their frustration, support and hope for better times ahead—a bunch of our favourite bars and pubs will put Friday night drinks on hold (for 5 minutes) to remind us all to vote in favour of culture at the polls on Saturday.

Organised by the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), at 6pm bartenders and venue openers will cease drinks service, turn up the lights, stand on the bar, grab a mic and address their patrons.

It’ll be a call out to voters to put Sydney first, to stand up for their city, and think about a more innovative, creative future for Sydney.

Don't worry too much about the success of your Friday night out though—that's not the aim of the standstill. Drinks will be flowing once again after 5 minutes.

Participating bars include:

Bistecca

Botany View Hotel

Bulletin Place

Button Bar

Cricketer’s Arms Hotel, Balmain

Crooked Tailor

Dead Ringer

Duke of Clarence

Earls Juke Joint

Grandmas

Jacoby’s

Lord Gladstone

Mr Pocket

Odd Culture

Old Mates’ Place

Oxford Art Factory

Papa Gedes

Pocket Bar

Pocket Terrigal

Potts Point Hotel

PS 40

Ramblin’ Rascal

Rosie Campbell’s

Stitch

Sydney Park Hotel

The Barber-Shop

The Royal Albert Surry Hills

The Taphouse

This Must Be The Place

Venue 505

Welcome Hotel Rozelle

Whirly Bird

White Cockatoo Petersham

Wild Rover

The Lansdowne

The Unicorn

Mary’s

Soda Factory

El Santos



Co-founder of Mary's and all-around legend Jake Smyth said, “While we ain’t gonna tell you who to vote for, we are going to tell you what to vote for. Vote for community. Vote for culture. Vote for music and art. Vote for your neighbours and vote for your kids."

Get to know your party preferences with NTIA's election scorecard.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this article referenced over 100 venues participating in the standstill. NTIA has since corrected this number to just 39 venues, and specified that service will cease for just 5 minutes.

THE DETAILS

What: Unhappy Hour

When: Friday 22 March, 6pm for 5 minutes only

Where: Various bars and pubs throughout Sydney

Here's why it's time to stand up for Sydney.

Image credit: James Adams.