Christmas and New Year Parties in Pune to Enjoy Extended Alcohol Sale Till 5 AM

Pune, 23rd December 2024: As Christmas and New Year approaches, there is good news for alcohol enthusiasts across Maharashtra, including Pune. The Maharashtra Home Department has announced a relaxation in alcohol sale timings for certain days, allowing drinkers to enjoy extended hours. This announcement was made through an official circular. The relaxation applies to 24th December (Christmas Eve), 25th December (Christmas), and 31st December (New Year’s Eve).

Here are the details of the changes:

– Foreign Liquor Vendor Licenses (FL-2): Previously allowed to sell until 10:30 PM, sales are now extended until 1:00 AM, giving an additional 2.5 hours.
– High-Class Foreign Liquor (served in resto-bars): The deadline has been extended from 11:30 PM to 1:00 AM, allowing an extra 1.5 hours.
– Foreign Liquor Wholesale License (FLW-2) and Bar License (FLBR-2): Sales, previously restricted to 10:30 PM, are now permitted until 1:00 AM, providing a 2.5-hour extension.
– Under Police Commissionerates (for Pune District, Pune City, and Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissionerates):
– Foreign Liquor License Type 3 (FL-3) for on-premise consumption and Type 4 (FL-4) for clubs can now operate from 1:30 AM to 5:00 AM, enabling all-night parties in these areas.
– Beer Bar License Holders and Retailers Selling Country Liquor (E-2 License Holders): Sales are extended from 12:00 AM to 5:00 AM.
– Country Liquor License Type 3 (CL-3): For premises under Municipal Corporations and Class A and B Municipalities, sales are extended from 11:00 PM to 1:00 AM. In other areas, the extension is from 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM.

Residents from Koregaon Park, Kalyani Nagar, Bavdhan, and Vadgaonsheri have strongly opposed the decision, citing issues such as increased noise pollution, disturbances from late-night parties, and traffic disruptions.