Delhi' new liquor outlets open today

A new excise duty regime is slated for the city's markets from today (November 17) as the Delhi government bid farewell to alcohol retailing at midnight on Tuesday. Posh liquor stores with walkins and some with tasting facilities are all set to improve the user experience.

Tuesday (November 16) was the last working day for nearly 600 government-run liquor stores operating across the nation's capital. Under the new excise tax policy, the alcohol trade will now be entirely managed by private operators.

Under the new regime, the capital will have 850 luxury liquor dispensers where people can enter and choose the brand they like as they do in malls. The new licensees will begin retailing alcohol in the city from today. With the new regime in place, L17 licensees, which include independent restaurants or gourmet bars, can serve any Indian or foreign alcohol in any area such as balcony, terrace, lower restaurant area, provided the liquor service area is protected from public view. They can also play live music and organize professional shows, bands, DJs, karaoke, singing and dancing in clubs.

Delhi had 260 private liquor distributors and nearly 600 government-run liquor stores. Private liquor distributors had already closed on September 30 and government ones operating in the one-and-a-half-month transition period closed on Tuesday evening.

The Delhi government had previously issued guidelines for ordering and receiving alcohol stocks for the next upscale shops under the new regime. Officials said alcohol sales under the new excise policy had already started placing alcohol purchase orders since November 11.