The first Dunedin bar to apply for a special licence to open beyond new national default trading hours has failed in its bid.
Dollar Brand Ltd, which runs The Break bar in Great King St, applied to the Dunedin City Council for a special licence to stay open until 5am on January 1. It said it was because it was going to run a New Year's Eve party for hospitality workers.
The Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, which came into force on December 18, sets national trading hours that state all on-licensed premises must be closed by 4am unless a local authority has an alternative policy.
The application was heard by a panel comprising Crs Andrew Noone, Kate Wilson and David-Benson Pope, on Monday. The panel declined the application, saying the Act did not allow the extension of hours beyond 4am.
''The applicant talked a lot about educating the public about new closing times, but is willing to dilute this process by hosting an event until 5am,'' the panel said.
It also said it found no suitable justification for an event, nor that there actually was an event.
