No stoppin' this party

After-parties at unique locations were a concept restricted to certain cliques in the city’s nightlife scene earlier — with most celebrations happening at the star hotels itself, after fashion shows, awards ceremonies and the likes got over. But now, with the liquor ban, the focus has shifted to farmhouses and resorts outside the city — or even as far away as Puducherry — as people are desperate to have a good time after a successful event.

Similarly, as hotels compromised by the liquor ban scrounge for ‘family-friendly events’ such as  weddings to be held at their premises without alcohol, chains and pubs which weren’t affected are making a killing exorbitantly hiking their rates. Chennai’s fledgling party scene is slowly evolving into a different dimension. Regulars from our city’s active nightlife, DJs, socialites and inside sources give us the lowdown on the many changes that have affected them this past month.

Has equal pros and cons

Popular designer and choreographer Karun Raman feels that there are both significant advantages and disadvantages. He also says that contrary to everyone’s perceptions, the party crowd is still having a nice time — “After the ban happened, everybody was under the impression that there would be no place to party and that they should only go to Bengaluru or Puducherry to have a good time — but a total reverse situation has happened! People are still having a nice time and a lot of amazing after-parties are hosted now at penthouses and suites and they cause no disturbance to others.”

He adds, “One major advantage is that there are less pub fights these days — earlier, this was the reason why clubs which used to be open till late, started to shut early. And it ensures that the younger crowd gets back to safer premises, since bars close early.”

But on the flipside, he opines, “It’s a major hit for many hotels that are shut. In fact, many such places are calling me to promote events like sangeets and marriages now. The price of liquor has also shot up at many places that are still running — in fact, at some places, it’s double the charge! But after-partying at ECR and the gorgeous resorts there has become much more active during weekends  as many don’t go to pubs as the price is too high.”

What about safety?

But, regular faces on the scene like model and actress Manju Shankar feel there’s quite a ‘drastic difference’ these days, and contrary to the whole purpose of the ban — they feel the nightlife is not as safe as it was earlier. Why? “Earlier, when we went to a party or event, it got over at the same venue itself — and however late, somebody would drop the girls/models home, or we’d call cabs. Now after-parties are held at random venues, but sometimes due to work, we have to be polite and agree to attend. Not only do we have to socialise with random people at some unknown place, but there’s no way to get back home that night! Girls who drink have no option but to stay over or catch a ride back into the city with a stranger... since there are no cabs around — and even if they find a taxi, can you be assured of safety at such late hours?”  She adds ruefully, “Our work has taken a huge hit too; so many fashion shows keep getting ‘postponed’ because the organisers bailed out, after the ban. The negative aspects to this decision have been way more than the few positives.”

‘Some places are turning messy!’

Says bar consultant Arasu Dennis, “None of my places are affected... so I am safe (laughs). But the main hotels and big brands are  — these are all post-midnight places and after-party destinations. So, what happens generally is that groups of friends go to smaller bars for pre-drinking — and then hit the dance floor at the hotels.”