Parliament to determine the final version of the law on operating hours for entertainment venues

The Parliament of Cyprus will work on the final draft of the bill establishing operating hours for entertainment and public venues, following a two-week consultation period that did not lead to agreement between authorities and stakeholders.

Members of the Trade Committee had not received updates from the executive by Monday afternoon; the bill has been returned to the committee for article-by-article discussion.

The bill proposes differentiated hours based on venue type. Restaurants, taverns, pizzerias, cafés and snack bars — from 06:00 to 01:30; beer halls and bars — from 08:00 to 02:30; indoor banquet halls and reception venues — from 08:00 to 05:00 the next day; outdoor reception venues — until 01:30. Indoor music and dance venues and nightclubs — from 20:00 to 05:00, outdoor music venues — until 01:30.

In submissions to Parliament, the Cyprus Entertainment Venues Owners Association (PASIKA) and the Paphos Entertainment Venues Owners Association (SIKAP) express an opposing stance, citing potential decreases in turnover, risk of closures and loss of competitiveness for small businesses. They request amendments, reduced fines and exemptions for remote and non-tourist areas.

On the other hand, the Famagusta Entertainment Venues Owners Association (SIKAA) supports the basic provisions of the bill, noting the need to refine certain elements and considering the reform important for modernizing the sector. According to Kostas Constantinou, Director-General of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, consultations on the bill have been ongoing since 2018; committee members warned that article-by-article discussions may take place behind closed doors.