Maharashtra Extends Operating Hours For Bars and Restaurants Until 5 Am On New Year’s Eve
The Maharashtra government has granted permission for hotels, restaurants and orchestra bars to operate until 5:00 am on December 31, significantly enhancing New Year’s Eve celebrations statewide. This authorization applies to establishments holding excise licenses to serve alcohol, which were previously excluded from extended operating hours.
Approval Follows Industry Appeal
The extended hours were sanctioned following a formal request from the Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) (HRAWI), which sought special dispensation for excise-licensed venues during the year-end festivities. While a government directive issued on October 1, 2025, permitted hotels and restaurants to function round the clock, bars serving alcoholic beverages were not included in that provision.
Under the new approval, licensed hotel and restaurant bars can now operate past their standard closing times on December 31, 2025.
Hospitality Industry Welcomes Move
The decision is anticipated to provide clarity for hospitality businesses and enable better planning regarding staffing requirements, security arrangements, and crowd management on one of the year’s busiest evenings.
HRAWI President Jimmy Shaw welcomed the announcement, noting that the New Year period holds particular importance for the tourism and hospitality sectors. He stated that extended operating hours would enable establishments to manage patron volumes responsibly while adhering to all safety and legal requirements.
HRAWI has given assurances to the government that member establishments will maintain strict compliance with safety, security, and regulatory standards during the extended operational period.