A bit late now, but I will answer the main question being asked here...

No. Bars are not allowed to open on Easter...
But there are ways around it...

The exception with the special licences is regarding to special events including food/dining...
Dining is permitted, same for Christmas and Anzac days, a bar can open if for dining purposes...

Some bars, can choose to open on these days taking several different tacts, such as:

- Open legally, for an event serving food
- Open illegally, and risk fine (through stupidity, ignorance or intention)
- Or to 'get around the law', some bars will advertise an event, that include food/dining, and give out tickets, but the dining may not be an actual event and it is used as a way of just opening without being fined...this tactic makes it technically legal, a leagl loophole.