The bar, owned by the Otago University Students’ Association (OUSA), has lodged an application with the Dunedin District Licensing Committee to extend its hours until 3am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
At present, the bar in Frederick St has a 1am closing time.
Last year, it was one of several bars located in urban areas which were granted special licenses to open later than midnight.
Under the city’s local alcohol policy, the latest closing time for a bar located in or next to a residential area was midnight on Friday and Saturday.
OUSA events and venues operations manager Jason Schroeder said it was hoped a later closing time would keep students off the street in a safe, controlled environment.
"Market research that we conducted last year, together with the anecdotal feedback that we have received from students, is that we would be more effective if we were able to keep Starters open later, matching other venues in Dunedin."
Starters Bar was granted an extension to trade until 3am during Reorientation in July which had a "noticeably positive" impact on the student area, he said.
OUSA had not directly approached neighbours about the decision.
"The application to extend hours of our licence has been publicly notified and we are not aware of any opposition being raised."
Dunedin District Licensing Committee chairman Colin Weatherall said the committee would consider the decision in a public-excluded hearing on Monday.
The hearing was non-public because questioning would include detailed business operations and commercial activities.
"It gives protection to provide that information in confidence without public awareness."
Of police, the medical officer of health and the council, none had opposed the application, Mr Weatherall said.
The committee would question the benefits of the decision in accordance with the Dunedin City Council’s local alcohol policy before making its decision on Monday, he said.
