As soon as they try and force nightlife into a zone, some cheaper zone or different sorts of events will pop up to take advantage of the lower rent.
The council seems to think that after a bylaw is passed, the firms and consumers affected by that bylaw do not alter their welfare maximising behaviour in any way, shape or form.
Maybe the consequences are secretly intended by council officials – crucifying the bar scene makes inner city living more attractive for some and frees up more lettable floor space for cafes and vintage clothing stores.

Indeed. I think the issue is regulatory capture – which is what is complained about here. If they merely had the habit of thinking about trade-offs this would be less likely, as I fundamentally believe they are NOT doing it with the intention to cause harm!

I’m too old to do unrelishable things now, gives me a sore back.

Still if Wellington does screw it’s own bar scene, that gives a competitive edge to other cities like Auckland I guess. If that is what Wellington wants to do …