Persistent noise complaints levelled against one of Dunedin's oldest - and most controversial - student pubs have led to new trading hours being enforced.
The Bowling Green Tavern has been ordered by the Liquor Licensing Authority to close its doors at 1am from Monday to Saturday nights, and 10am on Sundays.
The order, by Judge Bill Unwin, took immediate effect.
Tavern publican Mark Deason was reluctant to comment yesterday, but determined to put a brave face on the ruling.
"Honestly, I think it's going to be a positive thing. I think people will eventually come out a wee bit earlier.
"It's actually quite a nice closing time, to be honest," he said.
The company had no plans to appeal, but hoped to improve the venue's sound-proofing before applying to the LLA again, Mr Deason said.
The work was expected to take "weeks", although it was not known when a new application would be filed.
The venue had previously been allowed to remain open until 3am six days a week, and until 10pm on Sundays.
"If it had been midnight [closing time] we would be dead in the water. It still gives us a bit to play with. We will get through pretty sweet," Mr Deason said.
Judge Unwin's ruling followed an application by Rosehill Properties Ltd - owners of the Bowling Green Tavern - for a renewal of the Frederick St venue's on-licence.
A public hearing was held earlier this year because of the "considerable level of disquiet" surrounding the venue's operation, and evidence presented against the venue was "considerable", Judge Unwin said.
"The portrait was painted of a business that was out of touch with the impact its activities were having on the community," he said.
The tavern has had five separate hearings before the LLA since October 2005.
Most recently, the bar was ordered to close for three days in May, following complaints about a promotion, conceived and implemented by Mr Deason, which offered patrons the chance to swap beer for petrol and win a petrol-soaked couch.
"While we accept that the company has been sanctioned for its past behaviour, the fact is that very few (if any) licensed premises have appeared before us so regularly," Judge Unwin said.
Dunedin Hospital staff and patients had also complained about noise from the tavern in the early hours, which, it was said, kept some patients awake at night.
