The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : It’s party time at home, on the road, or away from the city

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 31, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

It’s party time at home, on the road, or away from the city

City Bureau

The diehards will land on M.G. Road but many prefer to do their own thing

Over the years, the quality of celebrations has declined, says reveller
But ‘MGs’ should not be missed for its crowd frenzy and pandemonium: loyalist

— Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

READY: Brigade Road in Bangalore, decorated for New Year celebrations.

BANGALORE: The party hub of the south is all dressed up to celebrate New Year’s Day.

Usually, half the city lands up in the central business district for the year-end bacchanalia be it the mad celebrations on the roads or the swish dos at pubs and lounge bars.

But this year is bound to be a little different with the iconic M.G. Road all dug up for the Metro Rail.

The thought of getting stuck in a traffic jam and ushering in the New Year trapped in a car, surrounded by honking horns and angry policemen, may dissuade people from flocking to their regular watering holes.

But the never-say-die party-goers are heading for the more spacious outskirts, apartment complexes and luxury resorts.

Losing sheen?

“Celebrating New Year at clubs and pubs is losing its sheen because the ride back is petrifying. I don’t want to start the year stuck inside a car,” says Shraddha Sanghi, a software engineer.

“I will not be going anywhere near M.G. Road this year. Having the police all over the place will fizzle out all the fun,” Shafeeq Mohammed, another reveller says.

And it is not just the Metro excavations, over the years, the quality of celebrations on M.G. Road has declined, he adds.

But “MGs” has its loyalists. Says Sunil Reddy who loves to hang out there, “I don’t care about the Metro Rail work. The policemen and security arrangements are part and parcel of the experience. The crowd frenzy and pandemonium should not be missed.”

Party poopers

Bad enough that New Year’s Eve falls on a Monday this year; the fact that parties cannot continue beyond 12.30 a.m. is another deterrent for those who wish to have a prolonged bash.

“Several people prefer to party at clubs on the outskirts as we are open till 2.30 a.m. We have the required permission under the special excise licence.

“However, these tickets are limited because we don’t want to be overcrowded,” says Francis P. George, general manager (Sales and Marketing) at Eagleton The Golf Village.

Nearly 100 establishments in the city have already sought permission to be open till 12.30 a.m., and according to excise officials more applications are expected on Monday.

Many clubs on the outskirts are open till 2.30 a.m.

Entry fee

The exorbitant entry fee charged by nightclubs and high-end hotels is another factor for party-goers to look elsewhere. New Year celebrations can cost a few thousands per couple at clubs and hotels.

Though quite a few establishments have add-ons such as exotic dancers, with soaring prices people are settling for a party on their rooftops or apartment complexes.

And those who have some money to spare have hired bands and local dance troupes.

“We are keeping the groups small and making sure we pump in some creativity into the affair,” says Ram Reddy, who is helping organise a theme party at his apartment in Koramangala.

If parties are hot on Monday’s agenda, there are those who are fleeing the city for tourist hotspots, with Goa being the favourite.

The information technology and business process outsourcing crowd in the city is stuck between two extremes. While some have to limit their partying because they have to get to work the next day, others can afford to indulge in a party hangover. “New Year’s Day is a holiday for me so I can relax and celebrate as much as I want,” says Sunil R.

There are also those working in small software companies who have adroitly adjusted their leave by working through the weekend.

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