Alvaro Miranda
SinQ hospitality firmly says that
ending the night early is from the election commission and rules are meant to
be followed. “We can’t do anything,” he says.
T most of the places that Alvaro handles; he admits that they
try to make as much business as possible during noon and sunset. “There are
parties starting from 3 pm to 11pm, so that everyone gets a chance to enjoy at
least in the day if they cannot in the night and we do not lose on customers.
However, we do not have any big events and Easter will be a dry day, so no
plans,” says Miranda.
Similarly at Cohiba there are live
bands at Sunday’s noon since the nights are empty. Amit Bhakhle
Partner at Cohiba expresses his views on how the
business is being affected lately during the code of conduct period. He admits,
“Week days is bad at Cohiba. People come to Goa to chill out, but with no
alcohol on table after 11 pm there is also no business; which is not same
always.”
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Cohiba which has been quite popular
and alive during the nights now experience a lull “Recently I travelled to
Mumbai and found that there the clubs still ran during nights, maybe no alcohol
is served, but there is food and live music after 11 pm. Only in Goa this is
happening strictly, which is affecting the foreign tourists too who are not
aware about the code of conduct,” says Bhakhle.
When the night clubs begin having
events and parties during the day, it becomes difficult for the other working
group of people to have the fun. Yet, the clubs have been trying their best to
keep customers happy. “Yes, there’s no question about them being angry”, says
Bhakhle. “But we have to follow the rules and customer co-operation is
necessary. It’s easier to make the locals understand but what about the
tourists? – We have put up notices everywhere regarding the rules during code
of conduct.”
Lyndon
Furtado, the proprietor at Down The Road says
that they have shifted their special night parties to Saturday and Sunday
afternoons into a Brunch from 1pm to 4 pm. “We have been trying to make people
aware about our facility during the day, where music, alcohol and fun is all
allowed just like our night parties which used to happen 9 pm onwards. In the
begining our customers rarely knew about this but now week by week it’s getting
better and we are gaining back on business, guess it is like a day-club until
election are over. We are forced to keep this plan till after May 22 because of
the other elections.”
Some party freaks have admitted
that though the season has been down, they have saved money by not partying a
lot. Thysca
Lobo, who has been to most of the night
clubs in Goa, says that for common men it affects really bad. “After work we
just need to refresh our mind and get all the stress out, where do we go?
Unlike most people who find solace with quiet places, some of us relax by
hearing some good music, dancing and being around friends. I am disappointed that
now I barely go out at nights, but it’s also saving a lot of my money. I guess
its fine for a small break for me.
Shaabaz
Muzafar, a photographer who spends most of
his time partying at night and weekends, says that he can longer do that
because of the cops out on duty everywhere. “I don’t usually go to clubs in the
afternoon, because honestly it’s boring. Although did have an experience the
other day at noon where we just has drinks and snacks at a club watching sports
channel and the Dj plying slow music which actually made we feel so lazy that I
missed my night parties.”
Similarly, a frequent partygoer
Jackie feels that on weekends everyone
wants to relax in the afternoon with family and then go out in the night. “I
mean I do understand the clubs are doing their best to have so many
opportunities for us, and yes I would love to go out on an afternoon with my
family and friends, but it’s a nightclub! It has to be in the night! What’s the
whole point of going there and not getting these vibes? I would understand if
it’s a normal restaurant we went to in the afternoon, that’s a whole different
case.”
Jane Pereira,
who doesn’t mind hanging out during day or night explains that the entire point
of calling it a night club is when these parties are at night, “Hence having a
day party at a night club is a bit awkward for some. Although those who want to
go will definitely go, like I know a friend who has been going for these
brunches at some clubs and she says it’s worth it”
