Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has issued an order extending bar operating hours by two hours, allowing liquor to be served from 10 am to midnight across the state’s 884 bars.

Beer and wine parlours will also be permitted to function during the same time window. However, the relaxation does not apply to clubs, which will continue under the existing rules.

Also read | ‘Stop if you can’: Passenger chases KSRTC bus for 35 km after conductor refuses to halt vehicle

Five-star hotel bars have been given a special provision to serve liquor until 3 am, subject to payment of an annual fee of ₹5 lakh for the extended licence. This facility cannot be used on the eve of a dry day.

The decision comes in response to a long-standing demand from bar owners seeking longer operating hours.

Also read | US to discuss 99-year lease for Diego Garcia base in strategic Indian Ocean pivot

The issue dates back to a January 2025 government order that increased the number of notified tourism zones from 14 to 98. Bars located in these tourism areas were allowed to serve liquor from 10 am to midnight, while bars outside such zones had to close earlier, creating a two-tier timing system.

Bar owners outside tourism zones had complained that the closing time gave an unfair business advantage to bars in tourism areas. In some places, tourism and non-tourism zones were demarcated on opposite sides of the same road, resulting in one bar closing at 11 pm while another across the road remained open till midnight. Excise officials reported that the disparity led to frequent arguments between customers and bar staff.