File:Mountaineer Hotel, Queenstown (21835995361).jpg

The six o'clock swill was an Australian and New Zealand slang term for the last-minute rush to buy drinks at a hotel bar before it closed. During a significant part of the 20th century, most Australian and New Zealand hotels shut their public bars at 6 pm. A culture developed of heavy drinking during the time between finishing work at 5 pm and the mandatory closing only an hour later.

Six o'clock closing was introduced during the First World War, partly as an attempt to improve public morality and partly as a war austerity measure. Although it was introduced as a temporary measure, it was made permanent in New Zealand in 1918. Six o'clock closing often fuelled an hour-long speed-drinking session, as men raced to get as drunk as possible in the limited time available. An unintended consequence was that glasses were saved during the hour after quitting time until the last call came for drinks.

Bar closing times were extended to 10 pm in New Zealand on 9 October 1967, three weeks after the New Zealand Licensing Hours referendum of September 1967. Voters were asked whether they favoured continuing the closing of hotel bars at 6 pm or later closing, the actual hours of sale to be decided according to local conditions. The change was favoured by 64.5% of voters. This referendum voted to abolish six o’clock closing of hotel bars and the six o’clock swill.

Shown here is an image from the National Publicity Studios of patrons enjoying a drink at the Mountaineer Hotel, Queenstown.

Reference: AAQT 6539 W3537 196 B18000

For more information email Research.Archives@dia.govt.nz

For updates on our On This Day series and news from Archives New Zealand, follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/ArchivesNZ