Kerala Extends Bar Hours to Midnight, 5‑Star Hotels Allowed Until 3 a.m.
Updated (2 articles)
Gazette Order Extends Bar Operating Hours Statewide The Kerala government issued an extraordinary gazette on Feb 17, 2026 that extends the permitted operating window for bars and beer‑parlours from 10 a.m. to midnight across the state, amending the Foreign Liquor Rules of 1953 and adding two hours to the previous 10 p.m. cutoff to boost tourism‑related revenue [1].
5‑Star Hotel Bars Gain Permission to Serve Until 3 a.m. Establishments holding an FL3 licence and classified as 5‑star hotels or higher may continue serving alcohol until 3 a.m. for an annual rental fee of ₹5 lakh, creating a tiered system where premium venues receive extended hours in exchange for higher fees and aiming to attract high‑spending visitors attending conferences and destination weddings [1].
Government Cites MICE and Destination‑Wedding Tourism Benefits The order links the extended hours to the promotion of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism and destination‑wedding markets, arguing that later service will make Kerala more competitive for international conferences and upscale events, and mandates further changes to foreign liquor regulations to accommodate foreign guests [1].
Political and Religious Opposition Frames Change as Electoral Deal Bar owners have long lobbied for later closing times, and the timing of the announcement—just weeks before the state assembly elections—has sparked criticism; the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) condemned the move as an election‑time concession, called for its withdrawal, and announced an Anti‑Alcohol Sunday on March 8 with church circulars and programmes opposing alcohol consumption [1].
Timeline
1972 – Thailand enacts an afternoon alcohol ban to stop government employees from drinking during work hours, a rule that later becomes a frequent grievance among tourists. [1]
Sep 2025 – Anutin Charnvirakul assumes the Thai premiership and pledges aggressive tourism promotion, signalling a policy shift toward relaxing long‑standing social restrictions. [1]
Dec 3, 2025 – Thailand temporarily lifts the 1972 afternoon ban for 180 days, permitting licensed venues to sell beer, wine and spirits from 14:00‑17:00 and expanding the general sales window to 11:00‑midnight, with fines of up to 10,000 baht for violations; Deputy PM Sophon Saram explains the change reflects a new tourism‑driven context. [1]
Feb 17, 2026 – Kerala’s government issues an extraordinary gazette extending bar and beer‑parlour hours statewide to 10:00‑midnight, aiming to attract MICE, destination‑wedding and international conference tourism and amending the 1953 Foreign Liquor Rules. [2]
Feb 17, 2026 – FL3‑licensed 5‑star hotel bars receive permission to serve alcohol until 03:00 for an annual rent of ₹5 lakh, creating a premium late‑night market. [2]
Feb 17, 2026 – Bar owners celebrate the extended hours as a long‑awaited concession, but the timing ahead of the state assembly elections sparks political controversy over potential vote‑buying. [2]
Feb 17, 2026 – The Kerala Catholic Bishops Council condemns the policy as an election‑time deal, demanding its withdrawal and warning that liberalising alcohol sales under the guise of tourism harms social values. [2]
Mar 8, 2026 – The KCBC schedules an Anti‑Alcohol Sunday, circulating a circular for churches of the Syro‑Malabar, Latin and Malankara rites to hold programmes opposing alcohol consumption. [2]