Holi Celebrations: Liquor Shops in Maharashtra to Stay Open Till Midnight
Mumbai, 13th March 2025: The Maharashtra government has extended the retail sale hours for liquor on Thursday to facilitate Holi celebrations and curb the sale of illegal or counterfeit alcohol.
A senior official from the state excise department stated, “To prevent bootlegging and the circulation of illicit liquor during the festival, the government has allowed licensed wine and beer shops to operate for extended hours on Holi.”
As per a circular issued by the department, liquor outlets in areas where local authorities have not declared a dry day will be permitted to remain open until midnight. This temporarily overrides the usual 10:30 PM closing time.
The order allows customers to purchase sealed bottles from authorized outlets until 12 AM, ensuring a regulated supply of alcohol for those celebrating at home or within their neighborhoods.
