In a move set to energise New Year’s Eve celebrations, the Maharashtra government has permitted hotels, restaurants and licensed bars to remain open until 5:00 am on the night of December 31. The decision offers long-awaited relief to the hospitality industry, which had been seeking clarity on operating hours for outlets serving alcohol during the year-end festivities.
The approval applies specifically to establishments holding valid excise licences, including orchestra bars, which were earlier excluded from extended operating permissions. While an earlier government order had allowed round-the-clock functioning for hotels and restaurants, alcohol-serving outlets were not covered under that relaxation, leading to confusion ahead of New Year events.
Industry sources said the latest decision was taken after sustained representations from hospitality bodies, including the Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India). The association had urged the government to grant a one-night extension for licensed establishments, citing the importance of New Year’s Eve for tourism, employment, and revenue generation.
With the new clearance in place, hotel and restaurant bars can now legally operate beyond their regular closing time on December 31, allowing celebrations to continue into the early hours of January 1. Operators say the move will help them plan staffing, security arrangements, and crowd management more efficiently on one of the busiest nights of the year.
Welcoming the announcement, HRAWI president Jimmy Shaw described it as a positive step for the hospitality sector. He said New Year celebrations play a vital role in supporting hotels, restaurants and allied services, and extended hours would allow establishments to host events in a safer and more organised manner.
The association has assured authorities that all member establishments will comply strictly with safety norms, excise regulations, and local law-and-order guidelines during the extended operating hours. Officials have also indicated that police and civic agencies will remain alert to ensure public safety and smooth conduct of celebrations.
