How the party-makers detox

If you spent New Year's Eve partying, think of the guys who made it possible and who had to clean up after you ambled off home on January 1. And thanks to January 1 being a Friday, most of the hospitality industry had to rush back to work.

Mixing those drinks

Devang Devsaria, bartender, AER Lounge, Four Seasons, worked from 3 pm to 8 am on December 31. Since bartenders aren't allowed drink during shift, there was no question of a hangover. "I had a heavy breakfast, slept for two-three hours, and then got back," he says. The bartender will get a day off only on Monday, a day he plans to spend sleeping. His detox mantra: water. "At the bar, if a guest is too drunk, we offer a glass of fresh lime with salt. It cleans up the system," he says.

Bar manager Tushar Mandal, who works at Zenzi in Lower Parel, isn't too much of a drinker but samples cocktails before approval. And there were several on the last night of 2009 when they worked from 5 pm to 6 am. His offers the most intriguing detox advice of all: more alcohol.

"Seriously," he says. "After a night of drinking, when you finally wake up the next afternoon with a bad hangover, drink 30 ml of any alcohol with water or soda or cola. Also add lime juice to it. It really helps in cleaning up your body and head and makes you feel better too." But one must make sure one sticks to 30 ml, Tushar quickly adds. Unless you want to start the first week of the New Year with construction workers pounding your head.u00a0

Spinning on the turntable

Life isn't easy on the DJ circuit either. DJ Akhtar who has been dishing out mixes for two decades, played at the Renaissance on December 31 till early morning. "I'll be working till January 4," he says. His body has adapted to his lifestyle. "I have breakfast at 2 pm, and then go for gigs in the evening/night," he says.
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In the past five-six days, he's had only three hours of sleep. That's the first thing he'd like to catch, post January 4. "I'll sleep and watch English movies. That's my best way of rejuvenating," he says.

DJ Akbar Sami got lucky, as he puts it. He was to perform at a five-star hotel but plans were cancelled. He has never had a detox ritual since he's always disciplined. "I hit the gym six days a week, I never eat wrong, and drinking's not my thing," he says.u00a0

Laying out a spread

Chef Bhairav Singh of the Renaissance Hotel likes his spirits, but controls his intake. Since the chef is an ardent follower of ayurveda, it shows in his detox diet too. "After December 31, I stuck to water and raw vegetables and fruits because the digestive system needs rest. My mantra is no rice, no meat, only chapattis." "Our January 1 brunch was also made to suit hangovers," he adds. The staff gauge the in-house guests' state before suggesting foods they could eat.

Chef Ananda Solomon of Trattoria doesn't feel the need to detoxify after any of the festive seasons because he views his work as fun too. "What I usually do is visit a couple of temples or a church on my way home. It helps and I get a chance to say thanks," he says.