A sweeping reform of how nightlife establishments operate is underway through an entirely new law that will replace the current framework in full. The proposal has sparked strong reactions among stakeholders, with the Association of Entertainment Venue Owners expressing serious objections.

As Offsite writes, the bill is currently before the Parliamentary Committee on Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism, which is expected to continue its discussion today. All eyes are on the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, as it may present a revised proposal.

Under the new bill:

• Dining establishments will be permitted to operate from 06:00 a.m. until 01:30 a.m. the following day.

• Entertainment venues (such as bars and pubs) will be allowed to open from 08:00 a.m. until 02:30 a.m.

• Reception and event halls may operate from 08:00 a.m. until 01:30 a.m. (for open-air venues) and until 05:00 a.m. (for enclosed venues).

Currently, nightclubs follow summer and winter schedules. Under the winter schedule, closing hours are 2:30 a.m. on weekdays and 3:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

For music and dance venues, the new proposal allows operation from 8:00 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. (open venues) and up to 5:00 a.m. (indoor venues). Cabarets may open from 8:00 p.m. until 5:30 a.m.

The most significant provisions include:

• Abolition of categorization based on services offered: Dining and entertainment venues will no longer be classified according to the type of food, drink, or entertainment provided.

• Simplified architectural approval process: The requirement for inspection by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism before submission to the Town Planning Department will be removed.

• Removal of outdated infrastructure criteria: Factors such as kitchen size, which currently determine licensing eligibility, will no longer apply.

• Freedom in pricing: Venue owners will no longer need to submit price lists for approval by the Deputy Ministry.

• Redefined operating hours: Hours will be set based on the type of establishment rather than seasonal schedules.

• Stricter enforcement: New provisions will introduce direct administrative fines and allow suspension of operations for repeated violations.

According to Kostas Kostas, a member of the Energy Committee who spoke to OffsiteNews, the purpose of the bill is to establish a modern legal framework for the licensing and operation of leisure venues.

The aim, he said, is to address the gaps and weaknesses of the current system, while promoting modernization, competitiveness, and the improvement of Cyprus’s tourism and entertainment industry. The legislation also seeks to ensure better regulation and enhanced quality of public recreation spaces.

The Secretary-General of the Pancyprian Association of Entertainment Venue Owners, Fanos Leventis, stated that the Association cannot accept the proposed legislation, arguing that it serves specific business interests and creates unfair competition that favors large operators.

“Our position has been clear from the beginning. This bill cannot be accepted. The change in operating hours undermines the role of traditional taverns and restaurants and turns everything into a commercial model,” Leventis said.

He added that removing the term ‘recreation’ changes the cultural identity and character of Cyprus’s entertainment sector: “For us, these are red lines. We completely disagree with this approach. It is unacceptable for the law to intervene in operating hours — this is inconceivable to us.”