Delhi’s restaurateurs cry foul over ban on recorded music in pubs

Restaurant associations and restaurant owners have called the Delhi government’s move to ban recorded music in the city’s pubs and bars archaic and are seeking an amendment of Delhi’s excise policy rules with immediate effect.

In a circular dated May 16, the Delhi government had warned bars and pubs to not play recorded music citing a rule that bars them from doing so. It stated restaurants and bars are only permitted to have live music or playing of musical instruments by professionals.

The circular has been issued for only L-17 licence holders or independent restaurants which have a licence to serve liquor and exempts restaurants and clubs in hotels.

As per industry estimates, Delhi has around 800-850 L-17 licence holders.

“We are preparing a draft for our representation to the excise department. Differentiating on what music to play should not be the purview of the excise department. The choice should be with the restaurants to decide whether they want to play recorded or live music. If their concern is the noise they should set limits on the decibel levels rather than a ban. Most of the restaurant bars are theme-based. There is already a Supreme Court ruling on loud music after 10:30 pm which the restaurants are already following. They could set guidelines on the volume,” said Garish Oberoi, president, Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI).

L-17 holders include popular restaurant and resto bar and pub brands like Swagath, Mamagoto, Bercos, Barbeque Nation, Social, Smoke House Deli, Olive, Pind Balluchi and Lord of the Drinks.

Rahul Singh, president of National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) said music is an integral part of the customer experience. “Any nuisance created through music should be based on the decibel levels as prescribed by the law. Any violation on this front should be dealt on a caseto-case basis and a blanket ban on the entire industry is erroneous in nature.” NRAI is engaging with the excise department to resolve the issue, he added.

“This is absurd. This is an archaic law and we have already had discussions with the previous LG on the matter. This is for the government to introspect and immediately act to change it. Delhi would not want to gain the dubious distinction of a place where music is not allowed in bars. We are hopeful that the government will immediately amend the act and the excise rules,” said restaurateur Riyaaz AmlaniCEO and managing director of Impresario Entertainment and Hospitality which runs over 15 outlets of brands like Social and Smoke House Deli in Delhi NCR.

Source:-https://retail.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/food-entertainment/food-services/delhis-restaurateurs-cry-foul-over-ban-on-recorded-music-in-pubs/64266900

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