As NSW loosens its COVID-19 restrictions from Friday, a small number of Sydney's cultural clubs are starting to reopen their doors.
Restaurants, cafes, clubs and pubs around the state are now allowed to admit up to 10 patrons, as long as social distancing precautions are maintained.
The Sydney Portugal Community Club in Marrickville was one of many venues that shut down when the pandemic hit.
"It was really hard for our community ... A lot of people are used to their routines. We have an important social role," club president Miguel Vairinhos told SBS News.
The club's restaurant is set to reopen Monday, adhering to the 10-person limit and adding a takeaway option.
Miguel Vairinhos, president of the Sydney Portugal Community Club. Source: Catalina Florez
"We'll have hand sanitiser, our staff are going to wear masks, we are going to follow the advice of the health department."
Mr Vairinhos said he was not fussed if the restaurant does not make a profit.
"One of the things we've realised through this pandemic is the importance of taking care of each other, of community, of people around us," he said.
"If I break even, then I'm happy."
The Jagerstube restaurant at the German Austrian Club in Cabramatta has also decided to adapt and start serving again.
Owner Oscar Zechner said COVID-19 hit the business hard, even with takeaway being available.
"It's been horrible, we had a 95 per cent drop in turnover. It's just been about survival," he said.
The restaurant claims to have the largest beer hall in the Southern Hemisphere, but it will be a very different atmosphere from Friday night.
Jagerstube at the German Austrian Club. Source: Jagerstube
"It will be 10 people ... We're going to do a 5pm seating, a 6:15pm seating and a 7:15pm seating."
But Mr Zechner said now was not the time for Australians to get complacent.
"Everyone's excited about going out again, but … there could be a second outbreak."
Scattered around Sydney, the city's cultural clubs rose to prominence in the mid-20th century, as social venues for migrant communities.
Many are still used for annual religious or cultural celebrations, along with classes and other gatherings.
Most cultural clubs staying shut
But the majority of Sydney's cultural clubs are keeping their doors shut for the foreseeable future.
President of the Russian Club in Strathfield Nick Pitchuev told SBS News it didn't make financial sense to reopen with the current limit of 10 people.
"It's not worth it … 10 is just not enough," he said.
"Until they actually lift more restrictions … Up to 50, maybe we'll start operating again. And if the next stage lets us open the bar up, then we will consider it."
The Russian Club has now been closed for almost two months, which Mr Pitchuev called a "terrible" period.
An event at the Russian Club before the pandemic. Source: The Russian Club
"There was Easter, when we usually have two functions, there was a big function planned for the 75 years since the end of WWII," he said.
"There's been a fair bit of disappointment.
"A lot of the small cultural clubs would be in the same position ... We have to just ride it out."
The Cyprus Community Club in Stanmore is also waiting for more restrictions to ease until it reopens.
But in addition to economic reasons, club spokesperson Emilios Michael said the 10-person limit raises other problems.
"We're going to wait for restrictions to ease up a bit more. If we open the doors, it's hard to gauge which 10 people get to go in," he said.
"It's been tough, especially for the older demographic ... The club was like a second home for them where they would catch up and meet up.
"They can't wait to go back."
But in the meantime, Mr Michael said they've "tried to think outside the square, think on our feet".
The Cyprus Club in better times. Source: The Cyprus Club
That includes not only setting up an online shop, but leasing the carpark out as a COVID-19 testing site.
"We're just trying to get through it," he said.
Other restrictions lifted
Several other COVID-19 restrictions will be loosened in NSW from Friday.
The limit of two visitors per household will be increased to five and outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people are now permitted.
Religious gatherings and places of worship can welcome up to 10 people, while 10 guests are allowed at weddings, 20 at indoor funerals and 30 at outdoor funerals.
Outdoor equipment including gyms and playgrounds can be used with caution, with people encouraged to wipe down the equipment, while outdoor pools are open with restrictions.
Bars and gaming facilities will remain closed.
But NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned case numbers of COVID-19 in the state will inevitably rise in the coming weeks.
"I won't be standing here in the next few weeks talking about eight, nine or 10 [cases]. I don't know what I'll be saying but it certainly won't be a handful," Ms Berejiklian told reporters.
"That's OK, so long as we ensure the vulnerable are protected, so long as we ensure people can get the healthcare they need which we will - we've nearly tripled our intensive care capacity."
NSW recorded eight new cases of COVID-19 from 12,200 tests in the 24 hours to 8pm on Thursday, taking the state's total to 3071 with seven people in intensive care.
Additional reporting: AAP
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