Liquor sales down in many Tasmac bars as people prefer to drink indoors during New Year eve

Chennai:
It looked as if a large number of tipplers have called it quits if one goes by the dearth in patronage for dingy bars and small outlets of Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) in the city. But in reality, the police crackdown on drunken driving, high sales at the newly opened elite liquor shops and exciting offers from swanky hotels have led to the previously unheard phenomenon, that too on the New Years’ eve.

Owners of Tasmac outlets on condition of anonymity stated that the business has taken a beating in the bars with the recent police crackdown on tipplers in the strategic locations.

“The business has been down by nearly 30 per cent in the bars during the last one week as most of my customers prefer to drink at homes rather than in the bars,” says an owner of a liquor shop in busy Koyambedu.

Senthil, a bus owner, who used to frequent the bars during the New Year bash, says that now people prefer to drink in indoors.

“During last week, I have been caught by police many a times. They used to conduct breath test to identify whether there are traces of alcohol in the breath. A minimum fine is Rs 2,000,” he says.

“So why would I have to spend an additional Rs 2,000 after drinking for a measly sum of Rs 200,” he reasons.

Interestingly, many hotel owners feel the lack of festive atmosphere in the bars is due to the clamp by police. “How could you expect the bar to get customers when the cops are stationed merely 500 metres away from the outlet,” says an owner.

Many outlet owners say that it was during the New Year eve many hotels used to source liquor from Tasmac outlets. But now this too has taken a beating with the opening of premium outlets.

This has resulted in the loss of middle and upper class cientele this year, says a outlet owner in Chinmaya Nagar. The opening up of premium outlets besides numerous offers like serving unlimited beverages for Rs 2,000 by hotels has resulted in Tasmac bars losing out a sizeable clientele, says another owner of a outlet in Saligramam.

Interestingly, the sale of liquor is expected to grow after 9pm. “It will pick up from 9pm to 9.30pm, we expect the crowd,” says an employee while pointing to an empty parking stand. “These used to be full. But not now,” he says. Interestingly, with the police strict on implementing the 10pm deadline, the bar owners may be losing their clientele but then the consumption of liquor still goes unabated indoors,” says Arul, who has bought three bottles of liquor and is preparing to party who night and welcoming 2014.