The interiors of the upcoming nightclub — Step Up — at hotel Panache in Patna. Picture by Jai Prakash

Party animals couldn’t have asked for more as swinging nightclubs and lounge bars promise a new high for a city about to hit adolescence.

The good times have started rolling. Hangover lounge — the newest entrant on the nightclub scene has already managed to upstage Discman, the reigning party den, even as another nightclub waits its turn to woo the young at heart.

However, for tipplers the fun ends quite early owing to the administration’s diktat of not serving liquor beyond 10pm. If the party animals have more options to go out, have a drink and shake a leg, the rules in place make it no different at the new party den.

Hangover, the lounge at Boring Road, however, has been witnessing huge footfall since it opened last month. Gautam, the manager of The Discman, claimed the discotheque had brought in the culture of night clubbing in the city. “In the first year of our opening, the footfall figures were not satisfactory. Gradually, after a year and lots of hard work, we started getting good response. Patna is now ready for the disco culture,” said Gautam.

The Discman also organises events on a regular basis to increase its customer base, especially the young and the young at heart.

“We organise events. A large number of youths turn up at the disc and so we decided to hold theme-based parties. The girls’ entry is free,” added Gautam.

When asked about the disc closing time, he said: “It’s 11pm. The footfall, however, increased after we got the bar licence.

But the liquor serving time is till 10pm only. So the revellers generally leave once the bar is closed and we are compelled to close by 11.”

Hangover, of late, has been quite popular with the youngsters with its impressive range of starters, mocktails, cocktails and a sumptuous main course.

The lounge also boasts of a spacious dance floor with a seating capacity of over 200. The cosmic lighting interiors, LED equalisers on walls and ceiling, the ambience and high-voltage music make it a very happening place.

Ravi, the owner of the lounge, naturally, has high hopes. “We organise Saturday nights to increase our customer base. The footfall is satisfactory. I get to see new faces every Saturday night. I am happy that more people are turning up. The city is now ready for the weekend culture,” said Ravi.

When asked about the closing time, Ravi, echoed similar sentiments as Gautam. He said: “We want to extend the time but owing to administration notifications, we are not allowed to serve liquor after 10pm.” Anuj (30), a charted accountant, is delighted with the new lounge. “I loved the ambience and the music they play. The only problem is that the fun winds up quite early,” said Anuj. Another nightclub is already waiting in the wings, ready to wow the youths — Step Up in Hotel Panache.

Its launch has been delayed owing to the bar licence. The mocktails and cocktails are the main attraction here. The perfectly aligned psychedelic lights, foot-tapping music and a spacious dance floor make the place a sure winner. “The club is all ready. We are waiting for the bar licence,” said Ankita, the owner.

Monica, a 28-year-old was visibly excited about the upcoming club. “There should be more nightclubs. I happy to know about Step Up. However, the clubs should have good security arrangements in place for girls,” she said.

The Discman, on Exhibition Road, was the first nightclub to be opened in the city.

In December 2012, the 2,500 sqft party zone was thrown open to the public. It can accommodate around 100 people at a time.

The discotheque had also mulled a drop-home cab service as well for late-nighters and girls — for safety reasons. Initially, the place has started operations without a liquor licence since inauguration on December 16, 2012. But later, the bar was opened.

The Discman, initially, the lone clubbing den of the city, also organises various theme-based events.

On the opening day, the Discman had charged Rs 500 for entry. But the charge hardly mattered for the young and wild party freaks, who took to the dance floor.

The hypnotic beats and loops added to the rhythm in everyone’s steps, while the décor brought smiles on everybody’s faces. The 7,500-watt sound effects, psychedelic lights, the lip-smacking food and the cool mocktails had impressed everyone to celebrate the new zone to chill out then. Now of course, it has more competition with the new kid on the party block.