A well-intentioned anniversary promotion at a popular pub in Bengaluru's Hebbal area descended into utter chaos on Wednesday, after an 'any dish for Rs 30' offer attracted a crowd far beyond the establishment's capacity, leading to traffic gridlock and eventual police intervention.
Social Media Buzz Meets On-Ground Reality
Heavily promoted across various social media platforms, the offer was part of the pub's third-anniversary celebrations. The lure of any dish for just thirty rupees, however, proved irresistible, drawing a massive turnout that completely overwhelmed the venue's infrastructure. With a seating capacity of approximately 300, the pub saw nearly 1,000 customers converge on the spot, leaving the staff in a state of panic and unable to manage the surging crowd.
A Day of Frustration and Failed Plans
The poor planning and complete lack of crowd control led to widespread confusion and anger among attendees. A 35-year-old woman, who had planned a family outing with seven members, shared her ordeal. "There were no specific timings for the offer mentioned, so we planned for dinner and left Basaveshwaranagar at 6:30 pm," she said. After getting stuck in heavy traffic near the Hebbal Flyover, they were informed upon reaching close to Esteem Mall that the offer had been shut down at 4 pm. "It was ridiculous… We finally reached the venue around 7:30 pm and were turned away, leaving the kids hungry and upset," she added.
Another customer, a 27-year-old who arrived with friends at 11:30 am for a noon opening, found two long queues already formed. "The first batch was let in only by 12:30 pm. We were moved to an inner queue and made to wait till 2:30 pm," he recounted. Despite announcements around 1 pm that the offer was closed, people kept arriving. Entry was eventually allowed in batches of ten, but the situation quickly turned chaotic. "We finally got a table at 3 pm, placed our order half an hour later, and left at 5:45 pm. It was terrible," he stated.
Traffic Snarls and Police Intervention
The sudden and massive rush had severe repercussions on the surrounding area. It caused significant traffic congestion on adjoining roads, including the busy Esteem Mall Road and Hebbal Flyover during peak evening hours. The situation escalated to the point where the pub management, unable to control the crowd, decided to shut the outlet before 4 pm for safety reasons.
The police had to step in after receiving multiple complaints around 8:30 pm about a huge crowd blocking traffic on Kempapura Main Road. A senior officer explained that Hoysala patrol and personnel from Amrutahalli police station were dispatched. "The crowd swelled to the extent that most of them stood on the road, blocking the traffic. The situation seemed to worsen as the crowd refused to leave and started shouting slogans against the pub management," the officer said. The police instructed the management to pull down the shutters until the crowd dispersed and then took action to clear the area and restore order.
A staff member at the pub admitted that the overwhelming response was not anticipated. "Originally, the plan was to run the offer the whole day, but the crowd turned out to be more than 1,000," the staffer said, citing safety concerns as the reason for the early closure. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of meticulous planning for promotional events, especially in a city like Bengaluru already grappling with traffic woes.
