Six o'clock swill

 In December 1917 the New Zealand government introduced a temporary wartime measure enforcing pubs to close at 6pm. Sobriety was viewed by many as a patriotic duty and the earlier closing time was intended to increase the efficiency of the workforce. In 1918 six o’clock closing was made permanent, a regulation that was to last for 50 years.

Six o’clock closing changed the drinking culture in New Zealand. In the hour between finishing work and the pub closing, men gathered to drink as much beer as they could. The rush to the bar as last drinks were called became known as the 'six o'clock swill'.

In a national referendum in 1949, voters opted to keep the six o’clock closing time. Supporters argued that the earlier closing time was beneficial to family life and also made it safer to drive after dark. 

The referendum result meant that the tradition of after work drinks at the pub continued for another generation.

During the 1960s the early closing time was challenged. The growing restaurant industry struggled with the complex rules around serving alcohol with meals and there were increasing numbers of international tourists who bemoaned the lack of venues open at night.

In another second referendum in September 1967, nearly 64% of voters supported later closing. Three weeks later, on 9 October 1967, bar closing times were extended to 10pm. It was the official end of the 'six o'clock swill', a practice that was to have a lasting and unintended impact on New Zealand's drinking culture.