BENGALURU: The favourite haunts of the city’s party crowd in the central business district and a few other places, which have been shut for about two months, are gearing up to welcome customers back again. Staffers who had gone back home are being called back while some outlets are getting a quick makeover.
On Thursday, State Excise Department officials issued circular to all the Deputy Commissioners asking them to consider renewal of licences for pubs and bars that fall in city limits after the Supreme Court clarified that the ban on sale of liquor near highways is not applicable within municipal areas.
“Some of our staff are from North India and they had gone back to their hometowns. We have asked them to come back as we are expecting to reopen next week soon after getting our licence renewed,’’ said the owner of a popular pub near M G Road who did not want to be named. “We used to feel bad when we had to refuse our customer. But now, we are happy that we can serve them better,’’ he said.
Speaking to Express, Venkatesh, manager at Pecos on Rest House Road said they are applying for renewal of licence after Monday. “If everything goes well, by next weekend, this place will be as full as before. We missed our customers and we will be happy to see them back,’’ he said. The pub will also get fresh stocks of beer soon.
On Saturday, some of the popular pubs around MG Road including pubs like Russh, Social and liquor stores like Temptations were still closed.
At City Bar on MG Road, a staffer said they have taken up renovation work. “We are applying for renewal of licence, but the place will open after two months,’’ he said.
According to Karnataka Wine merchants Association president Govindaraj Hegde, a few hangouts, where renewal fee had been pad online, are selling liquor that was stocked with them before they were shut down. Some others had paid the fees in June. However, none of the licences were issued.
“But once the fee is paid, they are entitled to sell liquor in their pubs and bars. Only to buy new stock from Karnataka State Beverages Corporation Ltd , one has to show the renewed licence. We are hoping everything will be back to normal from next week,’’ he said.
Additional Commissioner for Excise Rajendra Prasad said they have issued directions to all the officials concerned across the state to renew liquor licences as per the law. “It is a continuous process. As and when the local receive applications, they will verify them renew licences if the documents are in order. Pubs and bars that are in non-municipal areas have no option but to shift,” he said.