The parliamentary Energy Committee is finalising new operating hours for entertainment venues as part of a government bill to modernise the island’s catering sector regulations.
The bill addresses gaps in the existing legal framework and aims to improve the competitiveness of Cyprus’s tourism product in the catering sector. It introduces a new categorisation of entertainment venues and seasonal operating hours.
The government revised the bill following strong reactions from stakeholders. The committee is now discussing the legislation in closed-door sessions, applying parliamentary regulations that limit article-by-article discussion to MPs.
The revised bill reduces the number of venue categories and differentiates operating hours by season. Parliament’s plenary is expected to make final decisions on the legislation, with the goal of passing it by April before Parliament dissolves for elections.
Under the revised proposals, restaurants, breweries and bars would operate from 7:00 to 2:30 the following morning on Monday to Thursday and Sunday during the summer season (1 May to 30 September). On Friday and Saturday, they could stay open until 3:30 the following morning.
During the winter season (1 October to 30 April), these venues would close at 2:00 the following morning on weekdays and Sunday, and at 3:00 on Friday and Saturday. The original bill had proposed operating hours of 6:00 to 1:30 the following morning.
Reception halls, music venues, clubs and cabarets would operate from 20:00 to 2:30 the following morning on Monday to Thursday and Sunday during summer months. On Friday and Saturday, they could remain open until 3:30 the following morning.
During winter, these venues would close at 2:00 the following morning on weekdays and Sunday, and at 3:00 on Friday and Saturday.
The original bill had proposed that closed-type reception halls operate from 8:00 to 5:00 the following morning daily, whilst outdoor reception venues would close at 1:30. Music venues and clubs were to operate until 5:00 (closed venues) or 1:30 (outdoor venues).
Municipal councils retain the power to extend or reduce operating hours for entertainment venues for periods not exceeding six months per year.
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