After being denied permission to serve alcohol on the club lawn, the Bombay Gymkhana, for the first time in its 140-yr history called off its New Year Eve party. The bash, which was supposed to be held last night, was cancelled after the club was denied a liquor licence by the excise department and did not get the required NOC from the Mumbai collector’s office.

A club member, on condition of anonymity, said the mood was foul and the club felt there was no use taking a chance lest a guest happened to wander out of the inner bar onto the lawn with a glass in hand. Members who had booked tickets will receive a refund.