Zanzibar owner Jonas Hjertquist said he lost up to $1200 as a result of contractors working on the footpath outside his bar in George St on Tuesday night.
''It was pretty horrendous.''
Patrons left the bar because of the loud noise the contractors were making, he said.
The contractors and the equipment they used had made it ''almost impossible'' for patrons to access his business.
On Monday, he was warned work would be done, but he said he was told most of it would be completed after his business closed at 2am.
''It wasn't true, because by 7pm all the machines were in place and at least 10 workers were ripping up pavers and using hoses to spray dirt everywhere ...
''I'm very, very frustrated because we were told an outright lie.''
The contractors returned about noon yesterday to continue the work.
Council transport group manager Richard Saunders said the work was preparation for a Chorus job.
''The council's role is to approve the traffic management plan. Contractors are entitled to work on the footpath with the appropriate plan in place.''
The work was expected to take two nights between 6pm and 11pm.
''The contractor also had extra staff on the footpath to assist pedestrians, including those who wanted to get into businesses,'' Mr Saunders said.
