- Sports fans denied access to undiluted beer
- It comes despite liquor licensing laws that allow their sale.
New South Wales sports fans are accusing stadiums of discrimination because they refuse to sell straight beer at events in Sydney’s west, while fans in the city’s prosperous east face no such restrictions.
NRL venues have drawn battle lines between the eastern suburbs bourgeoisie and the western working class.
While football fans attending an NRL, rugby or A-League match at Allianz Stadium will have no problem getting a stout, the same is not true at CommBank or Accor Stadium in Western Sydney.
Although both venues have liquor licenses that allow full-strength beer to be sold, only spectators in the corporate areas can purchase it.
It’s a situation that infuriates sports fans, with venues deciding whether they’re responsible enough to handle full-strength beer based on their zip code.
“You can get a can of straight beer on Leichhardt Hill, but only a medium beer at the ‘world class’ Accor Stadium,” one fumed on social media.
Football fans at Allianz Stadium have access to pure beer in bars throughout the venue (pictured, Roosters fans watching a game on the field)
Sports fans in western Sydney, like these supporters of Penrith star Nathan Cleary at a Panthers game, only get mid-strength beers, despite liquor licenses that allow their sale.
Queensland football fans have to endure medium-proof beer at their venues
Victorian sports fans enjoy the most freedom when it comes to drinks, with full-strength beers and spirits available at bars at the MCG, Marvel Stadium and Kardinia Park in Geelong.
However, some bars may switch to medium intensity options if the match concludes after 6 p.m.
In Queensland, most sporting venues predominantly serve medium strength beer.
Some boutique bars, such as the Emerald Bar at Suncorp Stadium and specialty outlets at the Gabba, offer craft and full-strength beers, but these areas are generally reserved for members.
Western Australia’s Optus Stadium only serves medium-strength beer, except in the corporate boxes. This policy aligns with other WA venues including WACA and Domain Stadium.
In South Australia, fans at the Adelaide Oval can easily enjoy full-strength beer, with no restrictions on availability.
‘What a joke! Next time I go, I’ll sneak a flask in,” posted another.
“They don’t even let you keep the can to get the 10 cents back,” added another.
“Gamblers and fans in the West should not have to tolerate inferior service to those in the East,” he said.
“It’s time we stopped treating western Sydney customers differently.”
Justin Hemmes’ Merivale group owns the beer rights at Allianz Stadium and the Sydney Cricket Ground next door, where fans can get their hands on straight beer without any hassle.
VenuesLive had previously imposed restrictions on beer sales at Accor and CommBank stadiums, but its contract with the New South Wales government was not renewed.
Riverstone Labor MP Warren Kirby has launched a campaign to end what he has described as east-west discrimination and has called for a change to Venues NSW.
“That alone is discriminatory, it’s telling people, based on ZIP code, what they can drink,” he said. news corporation.
“We are already treated differently in the West, we don’t have a tube beyond Parramatta, we pay a lot more tolls and now we can’t even choose what kind of beers we drink at football.”
“It seems all we’re getting these days are mosquitoes, courtesy of Sydney Water.”
“People in the West are just as responsible as those in the East and should be able to watch football while enjoying a strong beer.”
Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone also said the differences in beer service showed venue operators do not believe western Sydney sports fans can be trusted to drink responsibly.
“Sydney sports fans don’t want their night out diluted by nanny state rules – they want the full experience,” he said.
“It’s time to stop treating people like children.”
Business Western Sydney chief executive David Borger joined the chorus and said it was time for “beer discrimination” to end.
“It’s time we put an end to the East/West divide. Western Sydneysiders deserve a strong beer too, whether they’re in the corporate box or the stands,” he said.
“It’s outrageous that there is still discrimination over beer.”