Tamil Nadu: Bars in 5-stars, pubs get leeway

Chennai: In a move that will supplement the income to the state exchequer, the government has passed an order that will allow five-star hotels in Chennai, Tiruchy, Coimbatore and Madurai to keep their bars open round the clock. According to an order passed through the Home, Prohibition and Excise department last week, hotels that have a five-star rating in Chennai and Tiruchy can keep their bars open as long as they pay the regular privilege fee, while hotels in Coimbatore and Madurai can opt to keep bars open all day long by paying double the privilege fee.

As there is a steady flow of international air traffic and tourists in the former two cities, the fee waiver has been accorded. This is expected to be particularly beneficial to foreign tourists, who are considered large patrons.

Meanwhile, other hotels which operate pubs on their premises will now have the luxury of staying open for an extra hour. The operating hours have been extended from 11 pm to midnight, after which all service of liquor will have to cease. This is a move that has been welcomed by a large section of hoteliers and restaurateurs in the State.

Five-star hotels in Chennai, Tiruchy, Coimbatore and Madurai are allowed to keep their bars open round the clock.

The owner of a chain of restaurants and a watering hole in Chennai, under condition of anonymity said, “This will help boost business as a lot of patrons who work late will be able to grab a drink. It will also add to the safety factor, as the extra hour allows a person to finish his quota without gulping it at one shot.”

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