The city's Liquor Accord yesterday struck a deal to ban shots from sale after 1am in all licensed venues in a bid to curb alcohol-fuelled violence.

Straight shots of alcohol, Jager bombs and high potency mixed drinks are all included in the ban.

In addition, all but one of the city's licensed venue operators agreed to trial a 2.30am lockout for six months, bringing the curfew forward from the present 3am cutoff.

Ballarat police Senior Sergeant Tim Argall hailed the licensees' decision to implement the voluntary measures as a positive step in the fight against late night, anti-social behaviour on city streets.

"I think it will certainly have an impact and only time will tell how significant that impact is,'' he said.

"But all these are positive steps towards a safer community in Ballarat.''

The decision to ban the high alcohol drinks in Ballarat follows similar agreements implemented recently by the Liquor Accords of Bendigo and Mildura.

The George Hotel general manager and liquor accord member Brendan Hanrahan said licensees were keen to do their bit to help police and other community groups stem the tide of binge drinking, despite the move potentially costing businesses hundreds of dollars

a night.

"Ballarat was the first in the state to implement a late night lockout and ours is voluntary unlike other regional areas that have theirs forced upon them,'' he said.

"We are always on the front foot looking to work with Victoria Police in promoting initiatives to secure the safety of our late night patrons.''

Mr Hanrahan said while all but one of the accord's licensed venue operators agreed to the 2.30am lockout trial, Ballarat police's preferred 2am lockout was not so warmly welcomed.

"It's one of those things where it's a matter of taking one step at a time. To get everyone involved and agree to the extra half hour was another step forward,'' he said.

"At the end of the six months, we will sit down and reassess.''

While both Mr Hanrahan and Sen Sgt Argall both expressed disappointment the one venue - believed to be The Bridge Hotel - did not agree to the 2.30am curfew, Sen Sgt Argall said ultimately, the Liquor Accord relied on the voluntary participation of licensees.

"It's important to note this is a voluntary agreement,'' he said.

"It's disappointing that all venues haven't take up the opportunity, we would prefer all venues to be part of it, but venues have made their own decision.

"We left it to the licensees to discuss among themselves and see what they wanted to do and its a good decision we have seen today.'