Nightclubs barred from operating beyond 11 p.m.

Bars and nightclubs in the city have been told that the police will start enforcing the regulation that limits their hours of operation till 11 p.m.

As many establishments are currently in the process of having their licences renewed, the Prohibition and Excise Department, the licensing authority, has written to bars and nightclubs, instructing them to strictly follow the rule that allow them to remain open only between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m.

While it has been common for most nightclubs in the city to remain open well past midnight, the city’s establishments have started following the rules since Saturday night. “Our licences say we can only operate from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., but the deadline is generally an eye-wash,” the owner of a popular nightclub said.

“Usually, the authorities enforce the deadline only if there is some sort of incident, but nothing has happened this time around.”

All this meant that Chennai’s party-goers were left in low spirits on Saturday night, as many were turned away from bars and restaurants that closed their doors to new customers by 10 p.m.

The night club owner said Chennai’s party-goers will simply have to get used to going out early, at least for the time being.