HYDERABAD: The police crackdown on the operating hours of pubs and night clubs will considerably dampen the city’s nightlife. Many of the pubs are located in areas frequented by the corporate world. Most corporate clients work till late and then visit a pub or nightclub to ease the stress. With 11 pm as the deadline for these places to shut down, their customers will have to look elsewhere for some entertainment. Says Venkatesh Reddy, a techie, “The government must consider extending business hours for F&B outlets.”
Hyderabad’s nightlife may not be as vibrant and ebullient as that of Delhi or Mumbai’s, but it has steadily picked up in glitter and groove. From Jubilee Hills to Gachibowli, the city has some of the most happening watering holes. The police crackdown on the operating hours of pubs and night clubs will thus considerably dampen the city’s nightlife. Many of the pubs are located in areas frequented by the corporate world. Thanks to tech giants, KPO and BPO located in the western corridor of the city, the food and beverage industry here is minting money.
Most corporate clients work till late and then visit a pub to ease the stress. With 11 pm as the deadline for these places to shut down, their customers will have to look elsewhere for some entertainment. Says Venkatesh Reddy, a techie, “Most pubs are owned by politicians; will they be able to implement it? Hyderabadis are in love with their corporate jobs as it brings along additional activities like nights out, corporate outings, and team dinners, to lessen the stress. Techies work from Monday to Friday and party during the weekend. Considering their mechanical lifestyle, partying is one of the alternatives to bust work strain. The government must consider extending business hours for F&B outlets.”
Shashank Agarwal, another techie, says, “If the cops are linking the night restriction to curb drunk driving, this move is not necessary as many people now prefer to take cabs or hire drivers. Post the strict traffic enforcement, partygoers have become responsible about their travel. Closing a pub early doesn’t solve the problem as many will start searching for other options like belt shops that illegally sell liquor.”
A pub owner said pubs stay open beyond the stipulated time sometimes for reasons beyond their control. “There is a delay because customers don’t clear their bills on time or insist on a last order. Pub owners can’t turn away customers. We will now have to introduce a ‘last drink’ policy,” the techie added. He sees pubs losing business as the crowd usually starts trickling in from 9 pm onwards and business is at its peak between 10 pm and 11 pm. In Bengaluru, after several years of restriction imposed on the recommendation of the police, the public enjoys an extended nightlife. In 2016, the excise commissioner of Bengaluru extended business hours of clubs and pubs to 1 pm.
