GUWAHATI: In a significant development for Guwahati's nightlife, the Assam Excise Department has issued new working hours for liquor shops across the city. This new development, which comes into effect immediately, permits Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) OFF shops, also known as wine shops, to operate until 11:00 PM, an extension of their earlier closing time.
Additionally, establishments serving IMFL ON, which include bars, pubs, and restaurants that offer alcohol, are now permitted to operate until 12:30 AM, surpassing the former midnight cutoff.
The official notification detailing these changes was issued on April 8, 2025, and specifically applies to Guwahati, while rural and other urban areas in Assam will continue to adhere to existing regulations regarding liquor sales.
Authorities stated that the move is meant to advance the hospitality industry in the city and cater to the increasing demand from tourists and locals. Through the extension of operating hours, the government aims to make the nightlife more vibrant, which could mean more customers for local businesses.
Earlier, in a major policy change, the Assam government had decided to permit all business establishments and shops in Guwahati, Dibrugarh, and Silchar to open 24 hours a day, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced. The move was approved in a cabinet meeting and is likely to give a boost to economic activity in these important urban hubs.
Addressing the press after the meeting, CM Sarma stated that while businesses in these three cities can remain open round the clock, liquor outlets will be exempt from this relaxation. In other towns across Assam, shops will be allowed to operate until 2 a.m., whereas in rural areas, the closing time has been set at 11 p.m.
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