Yes, you read that right. Following the recent liquor ban, now it’s recorded music that could be taken away from Delhi clubs. Apparently, the Delhi Government wants none of that EDM, Bollywood, and Pop stuff playing at clubs anymore. According to a circular dated May 16, the Delhi government has warned bars and pubs to not play recorded music citing a rule that bars them from doing so.

Let that sink in.

So, what can we listen to while downing our shots and pints? The aforementioned circular states that restaurants and bars are only permitted to have live music or playing musical instruments by professionals. However, not all clubs have to bear the brunt of this new directive as it targets only independent establishments that have a liquor permit or restaurants that have an L-17 license. This means that restaurants and clubs in hotels are safe. But this also means that the 800-850 L-17 license holders in the Capital are not. Some of the popular L-17 licensees in Delhi include the likes of Swagath, Mamagoto, Bercos, Barbeque Nation, Social, Smoke House Deli, Olive, Pind Balluchi, Warehouse Café, Tamasha, and Lord of the Drinks among a number of others.

Restaurateurs Speak Up

Needless to say, business will suffer greatly because of this new rule. And to prevent that from happening, restaurant associations and many restaurant owners are speaking up against the guideline and asking for an amendment in the same.

“We are preparing a draft for our representation to the excise department. Differentiating on what music to play should not be the purview of the excise department. The choice should be with the restaurants to decide whether they want to play recorded or live music. If their concern is the noise they should set limits on the decibel levels rather than a ban. Most of the restaurant bars are theme based. There is already a Supreme Court ruling on loud music after 10:30 pm, which the restaurants are already following. They could set guidelines on the volume,” said Garish Oberoi, president, Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI).

But why this sudden rule? Turns out the concerned department has received complaints from local residents regarding nuisance created by the restaurants holding the L-17 license. While technically these establishments are in direct violation of rule 53 of the Delhi Excise Rules 2010 which states that ‘the licensee shall not permit any professional entertainment or dancing or the playing of musical instruments or singing by professionals to be carried on his premises in such a way as to attract the general attention of his customers…in the case of L-17 licensee only live singing playing of instruments by professionals shall be allowed’, such a rash measure is uncalled for. Especially when hundreds of restaurants are at risk of losing a major chunk of their revenue.

Image Source

“Delhi would not want to gain the dubious distinction of a place where music is not allowed in bars. We are hopeful that the government will immediately amend the act and the excise rules,” said restaurateur Riyaaz Amlani CEO and managing director of Impresario Entertainment and Hospitality.

Well, for the time being, it looks like y’all will have to move the party to Gurgaon and Noida.

Feature Image Source