With FIFA World Cup fever set to peak on the semifinal and final match days, Bengaluru’s pubs, bars and restaurants have a reason to cheer: the city has extended their closing time from 1 am to 3.30 am. The decision, announced by Bengaluru City Police following a request from the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), has drawn a mixed response from the city’s F&B industry. Taking to X, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar called the FIFA World Cup “a celebration that fans eagerly look forward to” and said the extended timings were approved after a request from the NRAI while ensuring public safety and law and order. Restaurateurs see it as a win for football fans and the hospitality industry, but many believe the late-night screenings bring operational, staffing and safety challenges.‘Bigger LED screens and special offers’At Mykos Bar & Kitchen in Indiranagar, the first late-night screening drew a full house, even though the announcement came only hours before kickoff. Founder Fino Frangline says the decision recognises football’s growing fan base in Bengaluru. “The FIFA World Cup isn’t just another tournament. It’s a celebration. We’re happy that fans finally got a chance to experience it together. The response showed that football has a strong following in the city.” To prepare for the extended hours, the outlet introduced overtime shifts for staff and ran a limited menu to keep the service smooth. For the remaining matches, the team is planning bigger LED screens and special offers, especially for fans wearing team jerseys.‘Getting home safe is a huge concern’Not everyone, however, is convinced that longer operating hours automatically translate into bigger crowds. Pub owner Anirudh Kheny, who runs Heyou and several other outlets, calls the extension a welcome move but says expectations need to remain realistic. “The government supporting the F&B industry is definitely positive, but these are weekday matches at very late hours. Along with staffing, we’re also thinking about security, transport and how customers will get home safely after the match,” he says. Anirudh also points out that even though football has a loyal audience in Bengaluru, the timing could discourage many from stepping out. “If the games were at normal evening hours, the turnout would be completely different. At 3 am, many people, especially families and women, may think twice because getting home safely becomes a concern,” he says.‘Longer hours don’t mean better business’Pump House saw a far quieter response during the first semifinal. Senior operations manager Jagadish says the outlet stayed open till the final whistle, but only around 50 guests remained after 1 am. “The permission came at the last minute. We had already informed many customers earlier that we wouldn’t be open because there was no official circular. By the time the approval arrived, it was difficult to reorganise staff or spread the word,” he says. The extended shift also meant employees worked nearly 14 to 15 hours, while sales remained lower than expected. The team hopes the final match will attract more football enthusiasts but believes earlier communication would have allowed restaurants to plan staffing and operations much better.
