Tasmac bar rules revamped: kitchens, snacks, non-alcoholic drinks allowed

Tasmac, Tamil Nadu's state-run liquor marketing corporation, is preparing to overhaul the rules governing bars attached to its outlets. The move comes as existing bar licences expire on August 30, with Tasmac set to float a new tender under revised regulations.

As part of the changes, bars will no longer be restricted to selling alcohol. They will be allowed to serve tea, coffee, and juices, making the premises accessible to non-drinkers as well. Tasmac has also decided to permit kitchens in bars so snacks can be prepared and served fresh, a long-pending demand of bar owners.

Currently, most bars run kitchens, but this is in violation of existing bar conditions. The summary of the new rules says the previous situation "paved the way for bribing local police, councillors, Tasmac district managers, and excise sleuths."

The revamp also includes mandates for concrete structures and allows bars to operate within 100 metres of certain locations, according to the tender details. The state government has amended the relevant rules to enable these changes.

The revised tender terms aim to transform bars from "dingy rooms selling overpriced snacks made in illegal kitchens" into more formal sit-and-sip spaces, according to the report.