PARLIAMENT - CHANGES THE LAW BUT DOES NOT TOUCH THE HOURS OF LEISURE AND CATERING CENTRES - Filenews 1/4 by Eleftheria Paizanou
Without changing an "iota" from the current opening hours of recreation and catering venues, the Parliament leads next Monday to the Plenary Session of the House its proposal for a new legislative regulation for the establishment and operation of entertainment venues.
The enactment of the new legislation is attempted through a DISY bill, which was submitted by the party's MP Kyriakos Hatzigiannis, after the withdrawal of the bill by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, a few hours before it was put before the Plenary Session of the Parliament, due to many amendments made to the original text by the competent committee of the Parliament.
In particular, the government side disagreed with the final text of the bill, as formulated by the members of the parliamentary Committee on Trade in ten meetings, from October 2025 to March 2026, which is why it withdrew it. A peak point was the opening hours of the recreation areas, as well as the regulations against noise pollution.
Especially on the issue of opening hours, the members of the Trade Committee had made the bill unrecognizable, completely differentiating its provisions.
Specifically, taverns and pubs could remain open, all year round, until 3:30 in the morning, while music and dance clubs and discotheques could remain open until 5 in the morning by ministerial decree.
Yesterday's decision
During yesterday's session, the members of the Trade Committee, who discussed the DISY bill proposal, which reflects most of the provisions of the bill, decided not to touch the opening hours of the recreation and catering centers, in order to prevent reactions.
Therefore, despite the possible adoption of new legislation, the working hours remain as they are today. That is, from May 1st to September 30th, restaurants, taverns, pubs, bars, cafes, pizzerias and snack bars from Monday to Thursday and Sunday will remain open from 7 am to 2.30 am the next day. Friday and Saturday will be open until 3.30 in the morning of the next day.
The music and dance clubs, discotheques and cabarets from Monday to Thursday and Sunday are open from 8 pm to 2:30 am the next day.
Also, Friday and Saturday are open until 3:30.Based on the existing opening hours from October 1st to April 30th, restaurants, taverns, pubs, cafes, pizzerias and snack bars, from Monday to Thursday and Sunday are open until 2:00 in the morning and on Friday and Saturday until 3:00. Music and dance clubs, discotheques and cabarets are open from 8:00 pm to 2:00 pm (Monday to Thursday and Sunday) and on Friday and Saturday until 3:00.
In detail, the proposed law establishes new legislation governing the establishment and operation of catering and entertainment venues and the abolition of the existing one. The new regulation will contribute to addressing the gaps and weaknesses presented by the existing legislative framework, aiming to modernize and improve the competitiveness of the Cypriot tourism product in the catering sector. The aim is to enhance public entertainment, public safety and support entrepreneurship.
