Drinkers forced to sit down while socialising outside Adelaide pubs may soon be allowed to stand under changes being proposed by the State Government.

Deputy Premier John Rau has invited licensees to apply for the removal of the long-standing restriction on some licences in an effort to continue driving a rejuvenation of the city's nightlife.

Metropolitan Hotel part-owner Damien Kelly said it was a common sense approach to licensing.

The pub has several tables and chairs in a cordoned off area out its front door on Grote Street.

"I don't expect for the licensed number of people in that space to change, but it will change how those people are able to interact legally in that space," Mr Kelly said.

He said it meant people could stand from one table with a drink and move to another to socialise without breaking the law.

"For us, it's always been about that sort of angle," Mr Kelly said.

The changes follow a nine-month trial at selected venues in Leigh and Halifax streets, James Place and East Terrace.

It comes in the wake of recent changes to Adelaide's small venue liquor licensing laws that reduced red tape and have sparked a surge of pop-up bars, laneway bars and small venues in under-utilised spaces in the CBD.

Mr Rau said the trial found patrons consuming alcohol were required to walk through a licensed outdoor area when they were making a purchase or visiting the bathroom.

"Often these patrons may stop and talk to somebody while in the outdoor area and essentially this was breaking the law," he said.

Licensees can be fined up to $1,200 if patrons are caught standing and drinking in outdoor dining areas where the condition is in place.

Mr Rau focussed predominantly on Adelaide's new small bar scene in his announcement but a Government spokesperson said any SA venue that currently had the restriction on their licence could apply for its removal.

Crown and Anchor general manager Dan Boundy said that while he would love to implement the change, it would make it harder to manage licensing restrictions at his pub, which does not have a cordoned off area on the street.

"You're still only allowed the same number of people outside," he said.

He said people standing up would leave other chairs empty, which could then be filled with more people, making it harder to keep a tab on numbers.

"It would make life so much harder for us in reality," Mr Boundy said.

"It isn't really practical. Somewhere like the General Havelock Hotel might have more success, or anywhere that they've got screens up on the street."

Mr Rau said applications to Consumer and Business Services to remove the licensing condition would be reduced from $518 to $111.

"Conditions were originally introduced to limit bad behaviour and ensure patron safety, so applications received to lift the ban will be considered on a case by case basis and in consultation with local government and SA Police," he said.