KOLKATA: Inflation is playing a party pooper. Literally.
Pocket pinch while partying is set to increase by 10% to 15% from July onwards as most party places are set to increase the price of food by 15% to 20% due to the rise in prices of fuel, raw materials and edibles.
To offset the pocket pinch to some extent, some nightclubs and pubs have decided to decrease the price of liquor or offer special offers.
Most of the establishments are increasing the prices for the first time post the pandemic. Owners said though prices of raw materials and edibles were up by almost one third they were not increasing the price by that much due to adverse impact on sales which has already started nosediving after a surge once all pandemic related safety measures were lifted.
The prices are likely to go up from the month of July.
“We are introducing a new menu from July onwards with several new attractions. The prices might go up by 10% in the new menu. We plan to offer deals in liquor,” said Sheikh Samim, manager at Refinery 091 in Sector V. “The last time we introduced a new menu was in 2021.”
Nightclubs and pubs witnessed a surge in partying as soon as the government lifted the pandemic related restrictions in the beginning of April. Most places reported full house on most weekends. But for the past few weeks, the crowds have thinned and bar and food sales have decreased. Owners of establishments say increasing prices at such a time is a risky proposition.
Bakstage in Sector V is also set to increase prices of food from July onwards. “The overhead costs, including that of fuel, raw materials and edibles have gone up in the past few months. We have decided to increase the price of food by around 12% from July onwards. But to compensate for that we are decreasing the price of liquor by 10% so that our guests don’t feel the pinch severely,” said Sudhir Ahuja of backstage.
Few months ago, when the government decreased the liquor prices, many party places did not revise their prices downwards. Many of them are now thinking of reducing the price by 5% to 8% so that guests do not feel the pinch severely.
“We are going to increase the food price by 20% from July onwards which is a steep rise. The sales have already dipped after a surge soon after the restrictions were lifted. We might lose more customers after the price hike so we have decided to reduce the price of liquor by 5% to provide some relief to our guests,” said the owner of a night club on Park Street.
