Pune: Eerie silence reigns over high decibel late night party hubs

PUNE: Mishmash of light and shade for a furlong. A few parked vehicles here and there. A pack of lazy dogs lazing around. Lively giggles celebrating the youth late in the night with the promise of meeting again, missing. That annoying high-decibel music from some watering holes dotting the most happening lane on pause.
Pindrop silence greets you to the city’s not-so-long-ago night paradise.

The famous Lane No. 7 of Koregaon Park (KP) takes one by surprise during weekends these days. Forget the buzz, only a lucky few come across someone else on the lane even when the night is young.
“Till March, I would be tired of requesting patrons to leave. Now, I am tired of not seeing anyone. Wish the party resumes again,” says the lonely security guard of an establishment popular for “exchange of cheers”.
The sense of insecurity unmistaken in his voice, the guard says with a smile, “See you soon.”
A few feet down the lane, a right turn, and you are face-to-face with a flavoured beer hub. Tucked away from Lane No. 6, identifying the “musical place that brew its own stuff” is a tough ask in these times.
Sound of a Bullet from the Royal Enfield stable breaks the eerie silence. Two policemen vroom in and strike a conversation.
Gauging nothing amiss, the senior of the two says, “We would be on our toes in this area with breathalysers on Friday and Saturday nights to prevent drunk driving. For months now, we just patrol around with no one in vicinity.”
The sense of missing “party hoppers” was palpable in the voice of the policeman sporting a handlebar moustache.
A few kilometres away comes a resto-bar, near Pune station. Inaugurated by late Shashi Kapoor, its USP has been entertaining patrons till a few hours after midnight. Fortunate few would find space to park vehicles in its vicinity till early this year.
In the early hours of Saturday, the popular hub sports a deserted look. “Acres” to park vehicles.
Off to Karve Road. Away from the hustle and bustle of the main road and Metro work, a bar “won accolades” for welcoming guests well past midnight. Shutters down, a lonely man guards the late night “citadel” of thirsty souls now.