Pub culture new rage in Vijayawada

Vijayawada: Pub culture is gradually increasing in Vijayawada. Many youngsters in the age group of 20 to 35 are spending their weekends with friends in pubs. Vijayawada has more than 160 bars and liquor shops spread all over the city. Now, pubs are appearing in this commercial city, targeting youngsters.

There are three pubs as of now on MG Road. Two pubs are located in multiplexes and one is in a hotel near old RTC bus stand. Earlier, youth used to go to Hyderabad or Bengaluru to celebrate parties in the pubs. But, with the opening of three pubs, the youth are not going to Hyderabad or Bengaluru and visiting these pubs in Vijayawada city.

When the first pub in Vijayawada city was opened nearly a year ago in a shopping mall in Labbipet, women’s organisations staged a protest and asked the police to take action. However, later the protests were not seen. P Durga Bhavani, general secretary of Andhra Pradesh Mahila Sangham, has said the women’s organisations have protested against the pub culture in Vijayawada.

She felt the pub culture will spoil the youth of Vijayawada. Vijayawada was known as a conservative city with rich Telugu culture and traditions. But, the mindset of youngsters and people are gradually changing and girls are not hesitating to go to the pubs with their boyfriends. Hundreds of girls visit the pubs located in two shopping malls.

These pubs function till midnight as they had taken permission from the department of Excise and Prohibition. A senior official of the department said that the bars would be closed by 11 pm and pubs can continue till midnight.