Sydney pubs in for licensing blitz

Sydney pubs and clubs are to be targeted in a liquor licensing blitz.

Police and government officers will swoop on venues across the city in coming weeks in a bid to crack down on booze-fuelled violence, deputy premier Troy Grant says.

The crackdown comes after a 38-year-old man was seriously injured in an assault at a south Sydney hotel on Friday night.

The man remains in hospital after allegedly being placed in a headlock at a Ramsgate pub after midnight and punched several times.

A 52-year-old man suspected of waging the violent attack initially fled the scene but is now assisting police with their inquiries.

Mr Grant said venues across the city and state would be targeted in the blitz, as well as licensed vessels on Sydney Harbour.

Starting this weekend inspectors would be checking patron behaviour, irresponsible promotions, sale of liquor to underage patrons and safe service of alcohol.

Mr Grant said venues would be asked to fix any holes in their operations.

"However, I want licensed venues to know we take an absolute zero-tolerance approach to serious breaches of liquor laws and we won't hesitate to throw the book at rogue venues," he said.