Following well-attended dawn services across the country, Australians have started to pack pubs and clubs for a drink and a game of two-up to commemorate Anzac Day. Queues began to form outside pubs from as early as 8:30 am on Saturday.
There was a massive line of pub-goers waiting to get into Sydney pub The London in Paddington. The venue was forced to cordon off Underwood Street as thousands of patrons invaded the popular venue. 'That is one of my favourite pubs in Sydney. It's only smallish compared to other local pubs. With that many people this morning, you'll be lucky to get a drink every four hours,' one person wrote online. Another local poked fun at the current rental crisis gripping the city. 'This could also be a rental inspection to be fair,' they said regarding the line-up to The London.
Down the road in Surry Hills, well-known pub The Clock had a line the length of the block as eager locals waited to get a beer and play two-up. Lines for the Clovelly Hotel stretched more than 100 metres down the street, with Instagram page Bondi Lines, an app that tracks venue queues in real-time, telling Yahoo News it was the 'longest it's ever been'. The same Instagram page showed massive crowds outside the Harbord Hotel car park in Freshwater, where hundreds had gathered to play two-up. Attendees said it took up to 45 minutes to get in to the establishment. 'Two-up at capacity, one in one out. Insane,' the Bondi Lines said.
Understandably, Australians were frustrated by the wait. 'With that many people this morning, you'll be lucky to get a drink every four hours,' one person said. Venues do not need a permit to host two-up on Anzac Day, but they must ensure the game is played in its traditional format, with measures in place to manage crowds. Anzac Day crowds at pubs generally start to lessen after 3 pm on the day.
