FIFA World Cup semi-finals: Eateries to remain open in Bengaluru until 3:30 am on THESE days

2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finals: Clubs, hotels, pubs, and bars will be allowed to serve alcohol until 3:30am in Bengaluru.

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Bengaluru: FIFA fever is at its peak as FIFA World cup 2022 semi-finals are set to begin soon. To add to FIFA fever, Bengaluru police have allowed eateries to remain open until 3:30 am on the match days. Usually, cafes are allowed to stay open until 1 am, but on December 14 and 15, when semi-finals are set to happen, the cafes are allowed to remain open until 3:30 am. In a circular dated Tuesday, December 13, Police Commissioner CH Pratap Reddy stated that the timings will be extended from the usual 1 am to 3:30 am on Wednesday and Thursday. Further, under the Karnataka Excise Act, clubs, hotels, pubs, and bars will be allowed to serve alcohol until 3:30 am.  

However, this extension does not apply to eateries located near train, bus, and airport terminals at Kempegowda International Airport. Additionally, it should be noted that on December 14 and 15, any restaurants caught open between 3:30 and 6 in the morning would face harsh penalties.

Media sources state that the circular was published in response to requests made by federation members. According to The Hindu, the police would be keeping an eye on restaurants around this time to avert any unnecessary incidents. The Federation of Clubs, Karnataka, has made the request before to the FIFA World Cup 2022 semifinal match between Argentina and Croatia.

Despite the fact that cafes will remain open until late during semi-finals, there is no word on timing extensions for the FIFA World Cup finals until now. Regarding the extension of the times for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which will start on December 18 at 8:30 p.m., no notice or circular has been distributed.