Regional Victorian pub defying lockdown rules to pour beers for locals

A pub in regional Victoria is refusing to shut its doors to customers despite being in lockdown and police taking action.

The Pastoral Hotel in Echuca might be the only place to get a parma and pint right now, openly defying lockdown orders.

"We've opened up as of Monday," publican Trevor Andrews said.

READ MORE: Victoria's lockdown extended for seven days as nine new local cases of COVID-19 recorded

"We've had people in the bar all yesterday, had some people in the bistro."

Since announcing he was throwing back open the doors, customers have been coming in but at their own risk.

"Police came in yesterday and gave me a notice saying these people aren't meant to be here," Mr Andrews said.

"I believe they're going to get a fine."

Patrons say it's unfair.

READ MORE: Victoria clamps down on 'red zone permits' with NSW border: What you need to know

"I think it's like $1600, but no one here can afford that," customer Scott said.

"We could be breaking actual laws like home-invading ... this is a human right," another pubgoer said.

Mr Andrews said the hotel was careful about good coronavirus practices.

"We're COVID-safe, and we've been that way since day one ... we should be allowed to open."

The publican says he has no option but to throw open the doors because he's been crippled financially by lockdowns.

READ MORE: What you need to know about Victoria's extended lockdown

"Our bills here ... you're looking at a $3000 a month power bill, a $1000 a month gas bill, let alone the insurance, wages and everything else," Mr Andrews said.

The pub opening up is prohibited under the current extended lockdown, with police likely to crack down with more than a warning.

"The ultimate thing is they can probably end up taking my licence away," Mr Andrews said.

"And then I've got no pub - the beer but no pub - but there's ways around those things too."