Pubs and bars will also be permitted to stay open till 1 am but only on Friday and Saturday.
In what would come as good news for Bangalore's party-goers - and those working late shifts - restaurants in the city can now stay open until 1 am. Until now, all restaurants had to close by 11.30 pm.
The extension was announced by Karnataka Home Minister K J George after a meeting with officials from departments related to the issue. The new timings are being permitted on a trial basis for three months. Pubs and bars will also be permitted to stay open till 1 am but only on Friday and Saturday.
There has been pressure from young citizens and prominent people in the city, like Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, to extend the night deadline. "On behalf of citizens I commend the Govt of Ktka especially CM n Home Min for extending closing hours to 1 am. n nightlife on weekends (sic)," Ms Shaw tweeted.
But not everybody will be saying cheers. The city's police said it just doesn't have enough officers to patrol the streets late at night. Bangalore has over a crore residents. The police has 16,000 members currently, of whom 3,000 are assigned to escort and protect VIPs, largely politicians.
1 policeman for every 75 people, Bangalore's ratio, is among the most alarming for India's cities.
Bangalore is considered the youngest city in India. 63% of its population is below the age of 30. Its IT industry is a magnet for young working people who often pull late hours, and say they would like to be able to grab a bite or drink on their way home.
Some people argue that a late night curfew would actually make the city safer. But now it looks as if the police force will have to take the new timings in the right spirit - at least for the next three months after which a review will be done of the new timings.