South Australian pubs are open on Good Friday for the first time since World War I, with the new rules drawing mixed reactions from religious leaders and happy punters.
The SA Government changed the Liquor Licensing Act last November and removed restrictions on selling alcohol on Sundays and some public holidays.
The move was described as a "great shot in the arm" for country pubs by the Australian Hotels Association (AHA), but has drawn criticism from some religious leaders.
Catholic Archdiocese Vicar General Father Philip Marshall said Good Friday should be a time for love and reflection.
"It's important for a community to have the opportunity to stop and think about the deeper things," he said.
"The bigger things, without the rush to commercialism and noisiness of our every day life. So I think it's a shame."
However, several punters at the pubs on Good Friday said they enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with friends and mingle on a rare day off.
"To have the pub open today, it's fabulous," Rebecca Harris said.
"Just to have the day off and be able to drive down and walk down with our friends and animals and celebrate.
"To have lunch and enjoy our wine and get together for a couple of hours is a great advantage for us, the ones who are working particularly."
Not all religious leaders agree with the Catholic Archdiocese's assessment of the laws.
Pastor Brad Chillcott, from the Activate church at Bowden, said while he would be spending the day with his family and worshipping Christ, many in his congregation would "probably" be at the pub.
"My congregation would likely say as long as the penalty rates are being paid in full and no-one is being forced to work who doesn't choose to, then people can celebrate Good Friday in whatever way they choose," he told the ABC.
The amendment to the liquor licensing laws last November was the first major overhaul of the legislation in two decades.
AHA chief executive Ian Horne said regional businesses in particular would benefit from the change.
"I suspect that in some areas, particularly in regional tourist areas, this will be a very positive thing for both the business and the customers," he said.
