Glenary’s, the historic bakery-café and restaurant in Darjeeling that has drawn locals and tourists for decades, has had its bar and live-music sections abruptly shut down by the excise department.
Authorities say the closure follows violations of the West Bengal Excise (Foreign Liquor) Rules, 1998 — including unapproved live performances and improper liquor storage. The order, effective immediately, imposes a 90-day ban on liquor serviceThe decision comes at a sensitive time: just weeks before Christmas and during the peak winter tourist season for Darjeeling.
Many bookings for festive celebrations have reportedly been cancelled, threatening both customer plans and livelihoods of the café’s staff — estimated around 250 people.
Glenary’s owner, Ajoy Edwards, has strongly condemned the move, calling it a case of “political vendetta” rather than a mere regulatory enforcement. He claims that all required documentation had been submitted beforehand. He further linked the move with ‘Gorkhaland Bridge’ a project built with voluntary labour and contribution of the locals in the hill, which was recently inaugurated.
Glenary’s dates back to the colonial era: it began operations in 1885, during British-ruled India, making it one of the oldest surviving bakeries/cafés in Darjeeling.
Initially, under its early European ownership (some accounts say it was once an Italian-owned confectionery/restaurant), it became popular among British officials and colonial residents for its bakery items, breads and pastries. The Glenary’s building is a multi-storey heritage structure in the heart of Darjeeling, thoughtfully organized to cater to a variety of dining experiences. On the ground floor, it houses the bakery and café, renowned for its fresh breads, cakes, pastries, and the signature “classic Darjeeling breakfast.” The first floor features a full-fledged restaurant serving multi-cuisine meals, including Indian, Continental, and Chinese dishes, offering a more formal dining experience. In recent years, the establishment expanded further with the addition of a bar and pub, complete with a live-music and lounge section, broadening Glenary’s appeal beyond its traditional bakery and restaurant offerings
