New Year: Pay through the nose to party

Chennai: Ushering in 2014 could burn a hole in the pockets of most as the cost of partying has risen steeply in most hotels of the city where revellers are being charged not less than Rs 10,000 to bring in the New Year. 

The scene is  worse at venues where Bollywood and Kollywood stars are expected to shake a leg on the dance floors as their tickets are even more expensive and rooms have been  sold out weeks in advance.

While hotels are doing their best to draw couples and families for the celebrations, single men are having  a hard time laying their hands on tickets as most five star hotels with DJ nights are trying not to encourage their entry. 

“We are giving preference to couples over singles. We want to maintain an equal men-women ratio,” admitted an administrator of a star hotel.

Some are going out of their way to make families comfortable. 

“For those who come in with  families and children special arrangements have been made to give them a good time, including a sumptuous dinner. We have created a children's play area  and a night bar as well,” said the staffer of another star hotel.

Some hotels are going the extra mile in other ways to attract revellers. “Three different kinds of music will be played at different spots so that people can enjoy whatever they like even with one ticket. Last year they had to buy different tickets for each,” said Anshu Chettri, director of food and beverages at a star hotel.

At a few hotels, those ushering in the New Year can look forward to massages and brunches the following day should they prefer to spend the night in their rooms.

“ We have made this offer to curb drunken driving on the roads after the celebrations. The rooms with massages and brunch will cost the couples Rs. 20,000,” said one hotelier.

Many Chennaiites are taking precautions of their own against drunken driving as cab services are much in demand this New Year's eve. 

Said Sathyanarayan, chief executive of Bharathi call taxi services, “Most opt for night packages that include both pickup and drop as they go to churches or parties and need transport for a few hours. The demand starts at 10pm on New Year's eve and we charge Rs 550  upwards for providing this night service.”