An application by Dunedin cafe-bar Lone Star to remain open until 3am on Anzac Day is being opposed by the Dunedin City Council licensing inspector and police.
The District Licensing Authority last week indicated it would approve special licences to allow hospitality businesses to remain open until 1am on April 25 so Aerosmith fans have somewhere to go after the concert at Forsyth Barr Stadium ends at 11pm on April 24.
However, Anzac Day is one of three ''sacrosanct'' days named in the Sale of Liquor Act and requires hotels and taverns to be closed unless they have a special licence. About six bars and restaurants, mostly in the Octagon, had applied to stay open until 1am, as a result.
Liquor licensing and projects officer Kevin Mechen said a few of those bars had asked to open slightly later than 1am but reduced their request after learning police would oppose the application.
Lone Star was the only business to pursue opening longer hours and, as a result, a hearing would be held on Friday. Council staff said in a report to the hearing committee that as Lone Star wanted hours beyond that of other licensees, its applications needed to be considered more carefully.
''There is nothing to distinguish this from any other late night,'' the report said.
In its application to the council, Lone Star management said the event would be open to the public, a large selection of its restaurant menu would be available and there would be live music.
It was an attempt to provide food, entertainment and beverage service for the 20,000 extra people in the city for the concert, the application said.
''The event is an attempt to fill our restaurant after the concert.''
Lone Star representative Sheldon Ly declined to comment yesterday.
