The 11 pm deadline has made it difficult for people working late to enjoy the city's night life.
Bangalore, whether you like it or not, you're going to bed early.
The Karnataka government wants to change the rules to let pubs and restaurants stay open till 12.30 am. The police says it has to veto that proposal - it says it just doesn't have enough officers to patrol the streets late at night.
Currently, pubs and restaurants that are not a part of five-star hotels must take last orders for drinks and food at 11 pm and shut down by 11.30 pm. The hotel industry says pushing back that curfew by an hour could increase their earnings by nearly 40 percent.
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. "We have disclosed that we are short-staffed. We need more staff, that's why the reservation," said R Auradkar, the Bangalore Police Commissioner.
1 cop for every 75 people, Bangalore's ratio, is among the most alarming for India's cities.
The Congress, which was elected in May last year, says it wants to unshackle the city from the 11.30 pm curfew that was introduced in 1996 at a time when late-night crimes spiralled.
"We in the government are seriously looking at this proposal. But there are some issues with the police department because unfortunately in the last few years, there has been no recruitment in the department. They are woefully short of staff and though we are now starting the recruitment process, by the time they (cops) come on to the field, after training, it will take at least one and a half or two years," said Food Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao.
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.
The Congress, eager to mobilize the young urban vote, has to develop a more holistic blueprint, says the target audience.
"There have to be more buses... more public transport is needed at late hours especially if this is done. It is not just about pubs, but when we want to have a meal after 10.30 pm, it gets difficult in Bangalore. But without security there is no point," says Apurva Vishwanath, a law student.