Hyderabad’s 24/7 hopes put to bed, nightlife dozes off

HYDERABAD: The city could be buzzing round-the-clock during Ramzan, with shops permitted to operate beyond midnight, but the larger plan of transforming Hyderabad into a 24/7 city appears to have been shelved. Despite earlier discussions about boosting the city's night economy—particularly in key commercial hubs like Hi-Tec City—the initiative never progressed beyond preliminary talks, officials confirmed.
The state government had, in March 2024, proposed keeping commercial establishments and eateries open round-the-clock in select zones. However, the labour department has now revealed that the plan never materialised. "Discussions were held, but the proposal was never formalised on paper. Even if it had been implemented, it would have been restricted to specific localities and establishments," a labour department official said.
The police department cited safety issues as a major deterrent. "The nightlife expansion was linked to several challenges, particularly alcohol-related violence, crime, and public disturbances. Even now, areas like Durgam Cheruvu and Khajaguda witness post-party crowds creating chaos, leading to accidents and complaints from residents," said an officer from Madhapur police station.
Youth plan relocation
This stalled initiative has triggered frustration among young migrant professionals who find the city's nightlife restrictions stifling. With most businesses shutting shop before midnight, many feel Hyderabad lacks avenues for unwinding after long work hours. Some are now contemplating relocating to cities with a more vibrant social scene.
"For professionals like us, it's not just about partying but about work-life balance. After spending long hours at work, we need space to relax. If I get a job offer in Bengaluru, I wouldn't think twice before moving," said Nupur Bihu, an IT professional.
Sai Krishna, a startup employee, shared a similar sentiment. "Earlier, I used to stop by a club after work instead of heading straight home. Now, my routine has become monotonous—work, home, repeat. This lack of social interaction is mentally exhausting," he said.
Dip in revenue
Beyond social frustrations, the curtailed nightlife is also impacting businesses that rely on late-night customers. Popular street food hubs like DLF now wind up operations by 11 pm, while pubs and restaurants are forced to close just as crowds start to build. This has led to a revenue dip of nearly 25-30% for several establishments.
"Our business thrived under the old hours, but now, with strict closing times, we struggle. Just as footfall picks up, we have to shut down. Weekend crowds help, but it's not the same as before," said Mohan Krishna, general manager of Frat House in Gachibowli.
Similarly, Dattatreya, owner of a Tiffin Centre located in DLF shared that his shop shuts down around 11:30 pm, and he has noticed less inflow of customers in recent months.