The 145-year-old Carisbrook Hotel opened its doors again in April, after new owners - and first-time hoteliers - Tom and Susan Smith spent several weeks refurbishing the interior.
The couple appeared at a Dunedin City Council hearings committee on Thursday, seeking an on-licence which would allow them to trade until 1am six days a week, and to 10pm on Sundays.
The hotel had operated continuously on the site since 1863, but closed in February, after landlord Drysdale Ltd reclaimed it from previous operators, the Birch family.
The hotel has been operating on a temporary authority since the Smiths bought and re-opened it.
Drysdale Ltd is proceeding with separate plans to subdivide part of the hotel's adjacent car park for townhouses.
Mr Smith told yesterday's hearings committee he had "a bit of a soft spot" for old buildings, and was encouraged to help rescue the hotel, which was "riddled" with history and stories.
"It's got a lot of history - that's what I love about the place," he said.
"This is too good a thing to let fall to bits."
There had been no noise complaints from hotel neighbours since operations resumed, but Mr Smith was happy to accept conditions including a ban on amplified music in the hotel's garden bar and a 12-month review of operations.
Council liquor licensing inspector Tony Mole said events staged at the hotel under the previous management, including a boxing tournament in the garden bar, had angered some neighbours.
Dunedin City Council liquor licensing co-ordinator Kevin Mechen said the hotel was located in an old, established residential area, but had been in operation since 1863 and pre-dated most neighbouring houses.
The committee would release a written decision in the next few days.
