Ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations on Wednesday, the Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) (HRAWI) issued a detailed advisory to hotels, restaurants and bars, mandating strict prohibition on serving alcohol to minors, curbing over-serving of liquor and promoting responsible drinking and safe driving, amid heightened footfalls and late-night festivities across Mumbai.
The advisory calls on hotels, restaurants and bars to immediately implement a set of mandatory measures aimed at ensuring celebrations remain safe, orderly and enjoyable for guests, staff and the wider public.
A key focus of the guidelines is responsible bartending, with clear instructions that alcohol must not be served to intoxicated patrons or to minors under any circumstances. Members have been asked to sensitise staff to recognise signs of over-consumption, rigorously verify age and actively promote moderation and responsible drinking.
“New Year celebrations are a time of joy, but they also come with a heightened responsibility for all of us in the hospitality sector. This advisory is about putting safety, responsibility and compliance at the centre of celebrations, so that guests can enjoy themselves while establishments operate in a lawful and conscientious manner,” said Mr Jimmy Shaw, President, HRAWI.
Safe departure and valet parking protocols
HRAWI has also laid emphasis on safe departure and valet parking protocols. Valet staff have been advised to exercise discretion before handing over vehicles to guests who may be intoxicated, while guests should be encouraged to opt for chauffeurs, taxis, app-based cabs or designated drivers wherever possible. Proper documentation, trained personnel and close coordination between valet teams and management have been made mandatory.
In addition, the association has urged members to increase guest awareness by prominently displaying “Drink Responsibly” and “Don’t Drink and Drive” messages within premises, along with issuing polite reminders about safe travel options before closing hours.
The advisory further calls for close coordination with local authorities, with members asked to extend full cooperation to the police and enforcement agencies and to report any untoward incidents immediately. Management teams have been made personally accountable for briefing all operational staff, including bar, security and valet personnel, and ensuring strict adherence to the prescribed protocols.
