Away from strict deadlines

The Bangalore Traffic Police is gearing up to come down heavily on drunken driving on New Year’s eve. The government has extended the party deadline to 1 am on New Year’s eve but party animals thirst for more and say they want to party hard into the wee hours of the New Year. Thus, a lot of youngsters in the City have opted for house parties. 

For youngsters, partying at clubs not only costs a bomb but is also fraught with risks.

With house parties, there is no fear of getting caught for drunken driving and one doesn’t need to compromise on safety. Farmhouses, villas and even service apartments are rented out overnight for house parties.

Metrolife interacted with a few youngsters who not only host these parties but are
regulars at most of them.

House parties are financially less burdensome. They are cost effective, both for those attending the party and those hosting them, thanks to the unsaid rule of ‘Bring Your Own Booze’ (BYOB). And house parties are always hosted for a group of close-knit friends, which makes the atmosphere safe and more informal. Alistar, an employee of Dell, says that he has been attending house parties for a couple of years now. “We usually bring our own alcohol and the food is ordered. In addition to non-stop music, we also play indoor games such as poker, table tennis and carrom, just to add a twist to the party,” says Alistar.

Sharing a woman’s perspective of why house parties, is the way to go, Saloni Arora, a marketing professional, thinks that it is not only safer for women but works out to be economical as well. “Most of the events in the City on New Year’s eve are expensive and the quality of food and
alcohol is bad. The crowd too is not great,” reasons Saloni. She adds, “Also, with increasing instance of violence against women, it is safer to party at home with a small group, who you know and
are comfortable with.”  
Sean Drooge, an employee of Accenture, swears by house parties. He says that house parties are his only
option on New Year’s eve.
He starts partying on
December 30 and parties non-stop till January 1. “House parties give you the freedom to party till late. Around 50 of us get together. People carry their own choice of alcohol and we have a pot luck, where each one cooks a special something and brings it along. We usually camp at
a friend’s farmhouse in
Devanahalli,” he notes.
It’s not just the working professionals. Students too organise house parties by pooling in money. Calvin, a student of Garden City
College, says that it is impossible to party in the City on New Year’s eve. “We can’t have our kind of fun with such strict deadlines. With cops all over the City, it makes sense to move away from the prime areas. This way, we have our freedom,” he says.
   Sixteen-year-old Scott, a class 11 student of The Frank Anthony Public School, says  that he can never stay at home on New Year’s eve. “House parties are the best way to go. If I can’t organise a house party, I go to a friend’s place. New Year’s eve is meant to party without
restrictions. And a bunch of us wait to do just that sans any risk,” he states. The cops are leaving nothing to chance and say they will keep a close watch on people attempting to break the rules. Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Kamal Pant is aware of the growing trend of house parties in the City. “As long as they don’t cause any disturbance to the public or shatter the peace of the area, it’s fine. If we get a complaint, we inspect the premises. We can’t stop people from partying but we can tell them to party within limits,” he says.