Sports bars may need special liquor licenses for World Cup

Auckland sports bars may need to apply for a special license to sell alcohol during this year's Rugby World Cup.

That is because Auckland Council's local alcohol policy does not allow on-licence trading hours within the CBD between 4am and 8am, and 3am and 8am outside the central city.
Most World Rugby Cup games fall inside these hours.

Council alcohol licensing manager Rob Abbott said bars can apply for special licenses to the District Licensing Committee.

A small number of bars were granted special licenses during the Fifa World Cup, he told Stuff.

Venue manager at downtown bar The Fox Tavern Justine Smith said the board would apply for a special license for the Rugby World Cup in September.

"We'll try and still provide a safe atmosphere," she told Stuff.

"It's not about attracting drinkers, it's about sports fans," she said.