SA's pub laws survive court challenge

South Australia's late-night lockout laws for pubs and clubs have survived a Supreme Court challenge.

In a judgment on Friday, the Full Court of the SA Supreme Court ruled that the provisions, introduced last year, were valid.

A group of venue owners had taken the issue to the court arguing that the government had overstepped the mark with the new rules which contradicted licence conditions.

The rules prevent patrons from entering venues after 3am and anyone who leaves a pub or club after that time will be barred from re-entering.

They also allow for greater use of metal detectors and video cameras, provide for an early morning ban on drink promotions such as free drinks, shooters and doubles and restrict the use of glass for serving drinks.

The changes were designed to curb alcohol-fuelled violence, particularly in city centre.

Attorney-General John Rau welcomed the court's ruling and said the new rules were working well, with reports of a 25 per cent fall in arrests for public drunkenness and a 29 per cent drop in alcohol-related hospital admissions.

"It was vital for us to take action to reduce incidents of alcohol-fuelled violence and drunken behaviour on our city streets," Mr Rau said.

The government has committed to reviewing the new provisions later this year and will take advice from police as well as other interested groups including the hotel industry.