Teens say, party must go on

Youth attendance at nightclubs has grown by 10 per cent in the last 6 months despite global economic downturn

Economic slowdown or not, city's youngsters aged between 15 and 19 years continue to believe in living life king-size. Not only do they constitute around 30 per cent of the nightclub crowd, the number of patrons in this age group has grown by 10 per cent in the last six months despite the parallel incidence of the global downturn.

Tushar Bhatt, manager, Hard Rock Cafu00e9, said, "Around 30 to 40 per cent of our patrons are teenagers who visit our club through the week. We welcome youngsters but do not serve them alcohol. They come to listen to the live bands or simply unwind with friends. On days we have live bands, around 125 kids turn up and spend Rs 400 to Rs 500 per head on food and soft drinks."

No alcohol
Another manager of a posh nightclub, on conditions of anonymity, said, "Since our club is a little expensive, not many teenagers frequent it. But, on musical nites, around 20 per cent of the crowd is between 15 and 19 years of age. We make it clear that we do not serve alcohol to underage patrons. They spend above Rs 600 per head, which includes cover charge and food."
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However, on a couple of occasions, MiD DAY has seen breezers being served to teenagers below 18 years at various nightclubs.

Rasika Roy (name changed), a 17-year-old college student, said, "I used to party regularly, but now don't go out as often because of studies. However, we do go to One Lounge at Koregaon Park Extension twice a week.

We spend around Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 in a day."u00a0

Another teenager, Snehal (name changed, 17) said, "I party every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. My entry is taken care of so I don't spend that much. But my friends spend more than Rs 1,500 on entry and alcohol."u00a0u00a0u00a0