kolkata tipplers raised a toast to the governments decision to allow bar and pub operations but the usual buzz seemed missing at the establishments on tuesdaymost bars and pubs across the city started serving liquor on tuesday after remaining shut for over five months owing to the pandemic however the usual scene of tipplers jostling for space was absent as the evening drew near neon signs of bars on park street and central kolkata flickered to life small groups of people were seen stepping cautiously into their favourite watering holes some were seen stepping out of the bars for a smoke before returning to their tablesrajiv kothari owner of bar b q was delighted when the first set of customers walked in and ordered drinks by evening the buzz that had been missing for months was back a lot of families visited our restaurant but liquor still contributes to 3540 of sales in fact liquor also leads to higher spending on food as people usually order starters alongside drinks he pointed out nitin kothari whose restaurants mocambo and peter cat also began serving liquor on tuesday said the move made the biggest difference for bartenders and waiters who were back to their jobs after being on leave without pay for five months at our restaurants liquor contributes to only 20 of the business but people like to order drinks while waiting for the food the cheerful atmosphere will also rub off on others and lift the confidence of people said kotharibut olypub a favourite with youngsters and officegoers witnessed the maximum turnout i was missing this ambience more than the liquor it is the feeling of moving towards normalcy that is important said ankita kapadia an aspiring chartered accountantin central kolkata many bars even put up lights outside to welcome their patrons regulars spoke to the waiters and other staffers enquiring how they made ends meet during the lockdown we removed the bar stools and increased the space between tables by evening almost 40 of the tables were taken said the manager of a central kolkata bar the industry was relieved with the move we hope to bounce back to business now said pranav singh president of hotel and restaurant association of eastern india