Nightlife booster: Delhi 5-stars can have more than one 24x7 eatery-bar

NEW DELHI: In a major boost to the city's nightlife and entertainment, high-end hotels in the capital will now be able to host more than one eatery that serves liquor and remains open 24 hours a day provided they obtain separate licences for each of them. The move comes with Delhi Police gearing up to roll out the new licensing norms after the Union home ministry issued a notification on the guidelines that have been revised after four decades.
Establishments operating on the premises of airports will also be permitted to operate 24x7.
As per the revised guidelines, all class A establishments operating in five-star and four-star hotels and those operating on the premises of airports will be permitted to do business for 24 hours a day. The guidelines say that more than one eating house serving liquor will be allowed to operate for the entire day in a five-star and four-star hotel on condition they each have a separate licence.
"The modification of the guidelines is in sync with the progressive current times," remarked Bhola Shankar Jaiswal, joint commissioner of police (licensing and technology). He added that the character of a city was known by its nightlife and in view of the G20 events in the city, the new guidelines would be a boost to the hospitality sector in Delhi.
According to police officers, the application for licensing and renewal of licence is online. This will reduce human intervention, is paperless and will also aid in ease of doing business. The online system will bring all applicants on the same page, including all stakeholders. The period within which a licence has to be issued after application has been fixed at 49 days.
"This new regulation of the bars and lounges being operational 24/7 reflects a forward-thinking approach and ushers ease of doing business in the hospitality and nightlife industry," smiled Vidur Kanoida, co-partner and CEO, Soul, an eatery at The Ashok. "Not only will this create employment, but it will also facilitate our catering to our guests' needs at any hour."
Till now, despite having a licence to serve alcohol around the clock, many nightclubs had to shut early because their operating times were limited. Early closing meant loss of business. That is why the latest MHA guidelines have left operators happy.
Ankit Khilwani, founder and CEO, Soho, at The Ashok, explained that a nightclub was a high-investment, high-risk business. He said every establishment employed a large number of hospitality professionals, providing space for musicians, disc jockeys and mixologists to showcase their skills. The recent announcement on prolonging the operation times have given a big boost to nightclubs, said Khilwani, who added that this move would encourage club owners to host top music artistes from around the world, something that didn't make business sense earlier due to early closing hours.
"The new regulation on the hours issued by the government is a remarkable opportunity for us and signifies a pivotal shift in conducting business in the nightlife industry. With a 24-hour licence, our patrons can immerse themselves in one place. They will not feel the need to visit any other place or go from one eatery to another," said Khilwani.
Suhail Ahmed, founder, M Houz at Hotel Eros, noted that the new rules would allow people to party at safe and legally permitted places and this would give Delhi a secure and vibrant nightlife. "We welcome the new policy permitting more than one restaurant and bar to operate round the clock in a 4- or 5-star property," said Ahmed. "As a 24-hour place and with the sanctioning of the new policy, we have the advantage of generating revenue at all hours. This was much needed given the high investment involved in opening a club in a 5-star hotel. This act by the government most definitely is in our favour and we will aim to fully capitalise on it."