ALL NIGHT SUPPERS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13299, 7 February 1914, Page 9

ALL NIGHT SUPPERS.

Whilst the all-night clubs were confined to Bohemia, the great West End hotels and restaurants were not much concerned (writes a London correspond dent), but since the cabaret system has sprung up m the centre of the most fashionable hotels, managers are very much upset. London, treading m the footsteps of Continental capitals, is be? coming a late city. Hardly a^ ybeatre of any standing puts on its chief bill until 9 o'clock. The curtain seldom descends before 11.15, and by the time a taxi is engaged it is 11.30. The supperroom of the great hotels is not Teached much before 11.45, and drink is cut off and lights have to be. out by 12.30. There are. thousands nightly leaving the theatres Avho Avant a dainty supper and who cannot enjoy one under these conditions oft .hurry, and hustle. The cabaret, clubs (which by club licenses are permitted to remain open right through the night) are not compelled to curtail their customers' drink vbill or to evict them. To them, thei;efe\re, people wend their way as they, leave the theatre, and 6 o'clock m the 'morning finds most of them, still fill-dv What with wine and music and- the tango, the hours slip away very pleasantly. Some of them are very expensive. There is a disinclination on the part of patrons,to .become members. Most of' these clubs aro limited companies. A person who becomes .» shareholder may find himself landed with the obligations incurred m the name of the company. Consequently, there are more introduced guests than there are „members> and as subscriptions do n6t bring, m much revenue, a very heavy tariff is' charged for both food and drink. Two friends of mine were complaining on Saturday that m the small hours they had to pay half ra-croAvn for each whisky and soda they consumed. Same of the clubs are more reasonable ; charge very little more than hotel rates for liquor and ohly ask a pound a bottle for the • best wine. Every night all of them have to turn away hundreds of customers.