The Hindu Business Line : IPL-2: Roars and cheers at pubs too

Mumbai, April 18 On the first day of IPL season II cricket fans were out in big numbers at their favourite hangouts to cheer for their favourite teams.

While the first match saw an average turnout of guests in the various city pubs and restaurants, owners said the fever will catch up from the 8 p.m. match.

The pubs and hotel bars are loaded with offers to cash in on the IPL flavour. While catching the television extravaganza live on large screens, cricket buffs can also enjoy discounts on food and beverages.

From Hard Rock Café to high-profile bars such as Irish Dublin of ITC Grand Central and Opium Den of Trident to dining places such as Vista at Taj Lands End and Hornby’s Pavillion at ITC, all have caught on to the IPL fever.

Mr Rohit Khosla, GM, Taj Lands End, said: “We want our patrons to feel the same euphoria and energy that they would have if they were physically present at the stadium. Vista is going to be a happening place for the full 40 days of IPL where cricket fans can enjoy the matches on larger screens without having to worry about who is getting them liquor and snacks.”

At Taj Lands End, cricket enthusiasts can watch the 5 p.m. match for Rs 1,000 a head plus taxes accompanied with five pints of beer and three vegetarian and non-vegetarian snacks. Also, buffet along with five pints of beer and a starter at Rs 2,000 inclusive of taxes is available during the 8 p.m. match.

ITC’s Hornby’s Pavilion will offer patty burgers and juicy rolls along with unlimited beer and choice of roll or burger for Rs 995 plus taxes. There will also be a special buffet with unlimited beer at the restaurant for Rs 1,295 plus taxes. Unlimited beer will be available at Irish Dublin for Rs 1,200 a person for each match. A 3.3-litre full tank of beer will come for Rs 2,000 plus taxes.

Czar at InterContinental Marine Drive will serve specialities of the States from where the day’s teams are playing. Trident is organising happy hours between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Mr Jay Singh, Executive Director of JSM Corporation, which runs Hard Rock, said: “Our ‘stadium’ would have staff handing out props to cricket buffs to cheer on their teams. Customers can also avail themselves of offers on combos of Tiger beer and snacks menu at close to 50 per cent discounts between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.”

ITC and InterContinental are also organising several contests between April 18 and May 24. While the hotels might have missed the bus in terms of room occupancies with the IPL shifting to South Africa, there is still a chance to each some money.

“With the arrangements that various hotels and pubs have made for the screening of IPL, there will be a 20-25 per cent increase in guest numbers and about 15 to 20 per cent rise in revenues in the next 40 days,” said Mr S.P. Jain, Vice-President of Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India.

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