Today marks 50 years since the end of the 'Six O'Clock Swill' - the last-minute rush to buy beer from bars before they closed.
Up until 1967, workers rushed from their jobs at 5pm to get in a quick hour of heavy drinking.
Today marks 50 years since the end of the swill, when workers rushed to buy beers before they closed. (Source: Other)
The 6pm closing time was first introduced during WWI as a way to improve morality and as an austerity measure.
The short amount of time available to drink encouraged considerable heavy drinking among the working classes, with men racing to get as drunk as they could before closing time.
It first began in some Australian states in 1916, and New Zealand followed suit in December of 1917.
Before that, most pubs and motels closed about 11pm or 11.30pm.
Mandatory bar closing times in New Zealand were put back to 10pm following a referendum on the subject.
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