Underage, unchecked, still served: Reality check of pubs in Bengaluru

BENGALURU: Weeks after Karnataka high court cautioned pubs and breweries against allowing minors access to alcohol, a ground check by Times of India indicated that the message has only partially taken hold. Across the city, underage customers continue to enter such establishments and, in several cases, are still being served.

The court's observations came in the wake of the death of a 15-year-old boy earlier this year — a case that spotlighted how minors gain access to nightlife venues. It made clear that establishments cannot evade responsibility if minors are allowed entry and served alcohol, stressing that age verification is both a legal requirement and a moral duty.

However, on the ground, enforcement remains inconsistent.

Over multiple visits, TOI found underage customers were able to enter several pubs and breweries without checks. Alcohol was served and bills issued. ID verification, where done, was often cursory.

The pattern varied by timing and crowd. On weekdays, checks were largely lax, with staff either skipping verification or conducting superficial scans. On weekends, when footfall peaked, some venues tightened entry protocols. Even then, consistency was missing.

Group behaviour appeared to influence scrutiny. Larger groups, especially mixed ones, were more likely to be waved through without detailed checks. Smaller groups faced relatively stricter screening. "If you're in a big group, they don't look too closely," said a second-year BSc student, who has visited multiple pubs despite being underage.

Loopholes remain easy to exploit. Fake or edited ID cards continue to pass basic checks, particularly where there is no digital verification. At the same time, a section of the industry has tightened its systems.

Larger chains and high-profile clubs are increasingly insisting on scannable ID proof, including DigiLocker-based verification, and denying entry where documents do not hold up. "There have been times when we were turned away," said a second-year BA student. "Some places don't take chances anymore."

This split — between stricter chains and lax independent outlets — reflects a wider tension. Karnataka's excise revenue — one of the state's largest income streams — continues to climb, with the state targeting around Rs 45,000 crore for 2026-27. Alcohol remains one of its largest revenue streams, even as the high court pushes for tighter compliance and accountability.

While excise officials say inspections have increased and stricter measures are being put in place, the reality on the ground suggests enforcement still depends heavily on individual establishments.

The result is a system where rules exist, but are applied selectively. For every pub that scans IDs and turns minors away, there are others where entry is negotiated at the door, checks are bypassed, and business takes precedence.

The high court's warning has raised the stakes, but for now, the city's watering holes continue to operate in a grey zone — where being underage is less a barrier and more a variable.

— Jia Khosla & Nyasa Gupta


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