Wellington City Council has begun a formal review of late-night trading hours in the Cuba Street precinct, with operators and residents both lining up to be heard.

Bar and restaurant owners argue that pushing closing times back, rather than forward, has been one of the few bright spots for the strip since the council's controversial bus-route changes drained foot traffic from the central city.

Wellington police and a small group of residents have asked the council to consider stricter conditions, including mandatory ID scanners and tighter glassware rules, citing a recent uptick in late-night assaults.

Council officers will report back to the regulatory committee in August.