Bars & restaurants in Kolkata gear up for bumper weekends – Times of India

KOLKATA: The next two weekends could be the biggest of the year for Kolkata’s bars and restaurants, with footfalls surpassing that of Durga Puja, prompting many to make arrangements for extra food. While several have already dropped their liquor prices, food prices remain unchanged since 2020. This would be an additional attraction for patrons, believes the Hotel and Restaurants’ Association of Eastern India (HRAEI).
“While the last weekend saw a dip in footfalls due to the polls, the crowd has started building up from Monday. We expect this to swell every day till Christmas and it could well be more crowded than during the Pujas which saw an unusually high attendance. Liquor prices have been reduced at many places, which will be an incentive. That apart, food orders, too, could be very high this time and we are making arrangements to meet the extra demand,” said HRAEI president Sudesh Poddar who also owns Songhai and Manthan.
Most Park Street restaurants have taken a late-closure permission and will stay open till 1am on December 24, 25, 31 and January 1. Mocambo and Peter Cat have made provisions for extra food and may serve till 2am on these days if footfalls remain high. Liquor will be served till 1am. “During the Pujas, too, we had to prepare food for late orders. So, this time we are keeping extra provisions,” said owner Nitin Kothari. Liquor prices, however, will remain unchanged at Mocambo and Peter Cat till old stocks last.
Some others, like Oasis, have dropped their liquor price. “Despite the polls, the footfall this weekend wasn’t low. It picked up on Monday and we expect a full house from December 24 to 26. The New Year weekend would obviously be even more crowded,” said Pratap Daryanani, owner of Oasis on Park Street. Oasis, too, will serve till 1am on the four festive days.
With the decorative lights on and a chill descending on Kolkata, the time is just right for a night out at Park Street, said Rajiv Kothari, owner of Bar-B-Q and One Step Up.
At Bar-B-Q, liquor prices are set to drop by 20% to 35% this week. “We expect a big turnout from Wednesday till Sunday. The cheaper liquor will be an incentive,” the owner said. The restaurant will be open till 1am on Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and January 1.
Songhai and Manthan have reduced liquor prices from Monday.
Mughlai chain Aminia expects full occupancy across all outlets between December 24 and 31. “The footfall has already jumped to near-capacity at all outlets. The crowds will now get bigger every day,” said owner Kabir Azhar.