The bar owners, known as the Octagon Forum, are apprehensive about whether they will be able to cope with the demand generated by the large influx of cup supporters.
Dunedin City Council representatives met bar owners yesterday to update them on their plans for accommodation and catering during the event.
One initiative was to turn the Dunedin Town Hall into a "fan zone" where bars and entertainment could be set up to cater for the large influx of people.
Council Rugby World Cup co-ordinator Debra Simes said the idea was submitted by Dunedin Venues Management Ltd, and the council had endorsed it.
DVML chief executive David Davies said investigations into the viability of the idea were continuing, and a decision was expected to be made in the next two to three weeks.
Octagon Forum spokesman Phil Ellis said the organisation was pleased DVML was investigating the creation of additional bars at the Dunedin Town Hall.
"There's going to be 10,000 to 15,000 extra people in town. It's going to be really busy.
"There's no way we could cater for that many people without this extension.
"The majority of bar owners are very much apprehensive about the World Cup because we don't know what's going to happen.
"We just want to make sure we are well organised."
Ms Simes said the town hall was one of several Dunedin venues that underutilised their licences.
Dunedin Railway Station was another licensed venue which could be used, and talks were taking place with potential tenants.
The council also hoped to engage outlying premises in places such as St Clair and Roslyn to take up some of the influx of people, and the council was investigating creating more public transport to those areas, she said.
"This will ensure the city will be able to accommodate and cater for the influx of visitors for match days and the World Cup as a whole."
