Finding a pub open today depends heavily on where you are and what day it is. On a regular weekday, most venues operate standard hours, but on Good Friday, rules vary dramatically — from mandatory closures in parts of Australia to unrestricted trading in Ireland since 2018. This guide explains the regulations, highlights where you can still buy a drink with a meal, and helps you plan around the restrictions that still apply.
Last checked: 2026-06-23
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NSW on Good Friday: Pubs closed · Ireland on Good Friday: Pubs open (no ban) · Buying alcohol on Good Friday in Australia: Restricted; only with food at licensed venues · Today’s pub opening hours: Vary by day; check online
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-06-23.
Sources reviewed: Government liquor licensing agencies, state tourism board websites, local news articles, official venue websites.
We did not conduct on-site visits, call individual venues, or compile a real-time opening schedule. Regulations are current as of publication but may be subject to change.
Good Friday pub rules at a glance
- Pubs legally required to close on Good Friday (restricted trading day)
- Alcohol served only with a meal, 10:00 to midnight; takeaway sales prohibited (Queensland Government)
- No ban since 2018; pubs open under normal licensing hours (Castleforbes College Dublin)
| Location | Good Friday Pub Status | Alcohol Sales Allowed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales (Sydney) | Pubs closed | Restricted; only with food at licensed venues | Good Friday is a restricted trading day |
| Queensland (Brisbane) | Open with meal requirement | 10:00 to midnight, with a substantial meal | Takeaway alcohol prohibited; gaming machines off |
| Victoria (Melbourne) | Pubs closed | Restricted; similar to NSW | Check local licensing authority |
| Republic of Ireland | Open (no ban since 2018) | Unrestricted under normal hours | Off-licence hours: Mon–Sat 10:30–22:00, Sun 12:30–22:00 |
Are pubs open on Good Friday in NSW today?
In New South Wales, Good Friday is a restricted trading day under the state’s liquor laws. Pubs, hotels, and most licensed venues are legally required to close. This means that if you are in Sydney or anywhere else in NSW, you will not find a pub open for a standard drink service on Good Friday. The restriction applies to all on-premise alcohol sales, with limited exceptions for certain types of venues that serve alcohol with a meal.
What about pubs in Sydney? Sydney falls under NSW regulations, so the same closure rules apply. No pub in the city can legally serve alcohol on Good Friday unless it holds a specific exemption — and those are rare. The Queensland Government notes that even venues with extended trading approvals must cease alcohol sales at midnight on the Thursday before Good Friday, with a 30-minute drinking-up period.
Where can I buy food and alcohol on Good Friday in Australia?
While pubs in most states are closed, you can still buy alcohol with a meal at certain licensed restaurants, cafes, and clubs. The key condition is that the alcohol must be served ancillary to a substantial meal — not as a standalone drink. In Queensland, for example, the Queensland Government defines a qualifying meal as “substantial food requiring cutlery when seated,” such as roast beef with vegetables, lasagne, or curry with rice. Light items like hot chips, snacks, or children’s meals do not qualify.
Can you drink at a bar on Good Friday? In most Australian states, no — a bar without a dining license cannot serve alcohol on Good Friday. However, some restaurants with a bar area may serve drinks to diners. The rule is consistent: alcohol is permitted only when ordered with and consumed during a meal. Takeaway alcohol sales are also prohibited on Good Friday in Queensland, and similar restrictions apply in other states.
Do pubs close on Good Friday?
Yes, in most Australian states, pubs are closed on Good Friday. This includes New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland (where they can open only with a meal), South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania. The restrictions date back to laws that designated Good Friday as a day of restricted trading, originally rooted in Christian observance. However, the rules are not uniform across the country.
Are pubs in Australia closed on Good Friday? The answer depends on the state. In Queensland, as noted, pubs can open but only serve alcohol with a meal between 10:00 and midnight. In New South Wales and Victoria, they must close entirely. The Queensland Government also prohibits gambling at hotels and clubs on Good Friday, with gaming machines switched off from midnight on Thursday until after the holiday.
Good Friday in Ireland – Alcohol Ban and Easter Traditions
Ireland’s approach to Good Friday alcohol sales changed dramatically in 2018. For 91 years, from 1927, a statutory ban prohibited pubs, restaurants, and off-licences from selling alcohol on Good Friday. That changed with the Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Act 2018, which removed the ban entirely. Since then, pubs across the Republic of Ireland have been free to open on Good Friday under normal licensing hours.
Is alcohol allowed on Good Friday in Ireland? Yes — and it has been since 2018. The first nationwide legal Good Friday opening occurred that year, with ABC News reporting it as the first time in about 90 years that Irish pubs could legally serve alcohol on the day. However, standard off-licence hours still apply: supermarkets and off-licences can sell alcohol from 10:30 to 22:00 Monday to Saturday, and 12:30 to 22:00 on Sundays — including Good Friday. Good Friday itself is not an official public holiday in Ireland, so many businesses operate normal hours.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you drink at a bar on Good Friday in Australia?
In most Australian states, no — bars without a dining license cannot serve alcohol on Good Friday. However, some restaurants with a bar area may serve drinks to diners who order a meal. In Queensland, alcohol can be served with a substantial meal between 10:00 and midnight, but standalone drinks are not permitted.
What pubs are open in Brisbane today?
On a regular day, most pubs in Brisbane operate standard hours. On Good Friday, pubs can open but only serve alcohol with a meal between 10:00 and midnight. Takeaway alcohol is prohibited. Check individual venue websites for their specific Easter hours.
Are pubs in Sydney open today?
On a regular weekday, yes — most pubs in Sydney operate standard hours. On Good Friday, all pubs in Sydney are legally required to close under NSW restricted trading day rules. No alcohol can be sold for on-premise consumption.
Where can I buy alcohol on Good Friday in Australia?
Alcohol can be purchased only at licensed restaurants, cafes, and clubs that serve a substantial meal. Takeaway alcohol sales are prohibited in most states. In Queensland, alcohol can be served with a meal from 10:00 to midnight. In NSW and Victoria, on-premise sales are not permitted.
What is the Good Friday alcohol ban in Ireland?
Ireland’s statutory ban on selling alcohol on Good Friday was removed by the Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Act 2018. Since then, pubs, restaurants, supermarkets, and off-licences can trade under normal licensing hours. The ban had been in place since 1927.
Are there any pubs open today near me?
On a regular day, most pubs are open during standard hours. On Good Friday, availability depends on your location: in Ireland, pubs are open; in most Australian states, they are closed or restricted to meal service. Check venue websites or call ahead for the most accurate information.
Sources cited
- Queensland Government – Easter trading hours
- Castleforbes College Dublin – Good Friday Ireland alcohol ban explainer
- ABC News – Irish pubs sell alcohol on Good Friday for first time
- Wikipedia – Good Friday closure controversy
- The Ditch – Good Friday alcohol ban commentary
- 360training – State liquor laws explainer
- DC Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration – Carry-out FAQ
- States Assembly of Jersey – Proposition P-151-1999