Footfalls are sliding downhill at the city's clubs ever since the state government decided to go for total prohibition. A few came back to catch So-nam Kapoor's Neerja, being screened at a club, but it was, clearly, not enough.

For a city with few recreational facilities, these clubs were the ideal address where to let one's hair down and enjoy evenings.

In the past two days, the 150-year-old Bankipore Club has witnessed a sharp decline in members visiting it. Before total liquor prohibition became a reality, the average footfall, club members and guests included, was around 150-200 people a day. But on Tuesday evening - the day Bihar was declared a dry state - less than 10 persons turned up.

There was some improvement in footfall on Wednesday, but most members had come for the screening of Sonam Kapoor-starrer Neerja.

"A good number of our members took alcohol at the club," said Bankipore Club secretary Omprakash Singh. "As the state government has announced total prohibition, there has been a drop in footfall."

Sources at the club said average liquor consumption there was around Rs 5 lakh a month. Liquor - sold at a price higher than the market rate - was a prime source of revenue for the club.

"Many of our friends have stopped visiting the club after prohibition," said Ravi Prakash, medical practitioner at Magadh Hospital and a regular at Bankipore Club. "I don't know how long such a situation can prevail, but the club is not a place for sipping liquor only."

Apart from serving liquor, the club screens movies thrice a week. In light of tentative revenue losses and drop in footfall because of liquor prohibition, the club has convened a meeting of its office-bearers next week. It has also decided to cut short the service of outsourced employees who worked as bartenders and security guards.

Similar is the situation at Patna Club, which has registered a sharp drop in footfall in the past two days. According to Patna Club manager Shakeel Ahmad, members have virtually stopped visiting the club after prohibition was announced. Ahmed said: "The average footfall of members at the club's bar was around 150, but now only a handful of persons visit. And those visiting are mostly elderly people."

Prohibition is likely to affect revenue collection at Patna Club too. Average daily liquor sale there was between Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000.

"Around 25 bartenders and waiters served liquor and snacks to members at the club. But, after prohibition, their jobs are at stake," Ahmed said. "Unlike Bankipore Club, which has the facility to screen movies and provide other recreation facilities, Patna Club, where some construction work is on at present, has no such facilities. Prohibition is going to hit it hard."

The only club that can breathe easy is Patna Golf Club. "Ours is sports club. Many of our members come to play golf. They, too, consume liquor but the number is less."