A WODONGA hotel has had its toughest Saturday of trading since its launch in 2013.
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Huon Hill general manager Veronica Parker said it was a "bit of a shocker".
"We probably took one per cent of what we normally take, it's probably the worst Saturday since the business opened," Ms Parker said.
The Victorian government's COVID rule allowing hospitality venues to have only 10 patrons inside was integral to the hard day.
It meant the bar was not open at Huon Hill with the restaurant chosen to cater to the ten customers given that would be more profitable.
"It was a pretty tough call to make but it was a terrible night," Ms Parker said.
"Albury have one patron per four square metres, we've got ten people in the whole venue which is ridiculous."
Member for Benambra Bill Tilley wants greater parity for hospitality venues in Wodonga and Albury, suggesting different rules in the border bubble, given the loss of trade from Victoria to NSW.
He has made representations to Victorian government ministers for health, jobs and tourism and regional development as well as North East Labor minister Jaclyn Symes.
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"They have all been professional, they understand what I'm and this community is telling them but getting the chief health officer and Premier to budge is tough," Mr Tilley said.
Blazing Stump co-owner Richard Davis supports an alternative approach, saying his Wodonga hotel was on an uneven playing field compared to his other venues in Geelong, Shepparton and Warrnambool.
Trade, staff and functions were being lost to Albury.
Normally, parties would be booked for each Friday and Saturday night from now through to Christmas.
"All those functions are going to NSW because they (patrons) have got confidence they'll be open," Mr Davis said.
Another Wodonga publican Michael Beattie, of the Church Street Hotel, said Saturday had been affected by some cancelled bookings, but a waiting list and fortunate walk-ups were able to soon fill for those absentees.
"There were a lot of people doing the right thing and isolating because they had been at exposure sites and we applaud them for giving us as much notice as they could," Mr Beattie said on Sunday in the wake of venues of concern jumping.
In Albury, AFL grand final night fell short of expectations.
Soden's hotelier Brendan Tracey said: "It was not as busy as we thought it would be, we had a lot of cancellations during the day because of the outbreak in Wodonga."
He said "every pub was quiet" in Albury and bookings had dried up after Friday amid concerns about COVID cases, leaving him "walking on eggshells again".
