PJ’s Bars and Restaurants NZ Ltd had applied for the 4am closing time at its new "tavern-style" Mucky Duck, opening in Searle Lane in the former site of Hell Pizza, near the Camp St Night ’n Day store, and taxi rank.
Chairman Phil Jones, in his verbal decision, described the company as a "respected operator".
PJ’s is also the owner of Club 88, a strip club in Shotover St.
Managing director John Jones said the 4am licence the company sought was consistent with every other venue in Searle Lane.
"A good operator shouldn’t have to worry about being open until 4am."
His reading of police data, supplied to the committee, was that instances of harm in the Searle Lane area were more likely between midnight and 2am than later.
Graphs provided by Sergeant Simon Matheson showed 14% of "alcohol harm" occurred between 11pm and midnight, and another 14% between midnight and 1am.
It increased to 16% from 1am-2am, then dropped to 11% between 2am-3am, and 3am-4am.
Sgt Matheson said police had no issues with the company as an operator and it had a history of running a "very good establishment".
Nor was there any issue with the licence — only the 4am closing time.
Police were concerned about the behaviour on the street of patrons frequenting one of the 60 licensed premises within 150m of Mucky Duck, 25 of which have licences beyond 3am.
But Mucky Duck’s lawyer, Tanya Surrey, submitted the impact of another on-licence in the area would be "no more than minor".
The police opposition to the Mucky Duck’s application for a 4am closing time is the first for a new licence.
Police had also opposed an unrelated renewal application from PJ’s, which is still going through the formal process.
