Extended Liquor Sale Hours Likely to Boost Revenue on New Year Eve in AP
Accordingly, retail liquor shops will be permitted to sell liquor up to 12 midnight
Vijayawada: Liquor sales are expected to rise and generate substantial revenue for the State exchequer on the eve of New Year celebrations, as the Andhra Pradesh government has extended the sale and service hours for liquor outlets and bars by an hour on December 31 and January 1, 2026.
Accordingly, retail liquor shops will be permitted to sell liquor up to 12 midnight, instead of the usual 11 p.m. Bars holding 2B licences, establishments with C1 (in-house) licences, EP-1 event permits and TD-1 (in-house) licences of the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation will be allowed to serve liquor up to 1 a.m. on January 1, 2026.
According to state excise authorities, Andhra Pradesh records daily liquor sales ranging between ₹60 crore and ₹80 crore on normal days, with a sharp increase during festivals and special occasions.
In 2024, liquor sales stood at `4 crore on December 29, `220 crore on December 30 and `112 crore on December 31. In 2025, sales were `190 crore on December 29, `180 crore on December 30, and are expected to touch around ₹135 crore on December 31.
With New Year celebrations continuing into January 1, 2026, liquor sales are expected to rise further, officials said.
From Wednesday evening onwards, liquor retail outlets and bars witnessed heavy rush as people stocked up for New Year celebrations and hosted parties for friends and colleagues. Retailers and bar owners have lifted additional stocks to meet the anticipated surge in demand, while several outlets and bars were decorated with colourful illumination to attract customers.
