Revellers in fancy dress and carnival mood to mark the start of an alcohol ban on public transport in London prompted closure of Underground stations last night.

Concerned about overcrowding, Transport for London shut the Underground section of Liverpool Street station and Baker Street. As offkey chants of “Ole ole ole” and “Circle Line” echoed through Liverpool Street station, crowds thought to number 2,000 were escorted into the main concourse to consume a vast array of alcoholic drinks.

Both stations were closed repeatedly because of overcrowding and “customer incidents, which prompted delays on other tube services. British transport police confirmed more than a dozen arrests before midnight, mainly for drunken behaviour.

A spokesman said: “Trains were stopped throughout the night because of overcrowding. We did that for public safety.”

“People had been drinking since 4pm and if they were just sitting on the train going round in circles they were going to get drunk.”

The spokesman said police had “not known what to expect” but organisers had done little to help the situation by self-advertising on the internet.

Partygoers described the scenes on the packed trains as "boisterous but friendly." David Mudkips, 25, from Hackney, added: "There were people’s sweaty armpits in my face but I didn’t care because I was drinking.”

About 15,000 people had pledged on the internet they would join the party. The ban marks the biggest clampdown on the Underground since smoking was outlawed two decades ago.

From today it is illegal to carry an open containerof alcohol on the Tube, Docklands Light Railway and London’s buses and trams. Transport officials believe the move could eventually lead to an alcohol ban across the UK rail network, although this is likely to be resisted by long-distance train operators, who supplement revenue with drinks sales.

Facebook groups dedicated to the party, which transport unions had condemned, included “One Final Tube Booze Party” and “Let’s Get Hammered on Tube Day”.

The ban has been introduced by Boris Johnson, the new London mayor, to curb antisocial behaviour and violence and to make journeys more pleasant.

“I firmly believe banning alcohol on London’s public transport will create a better travelling environment. If we drive out antisocial behaviour and so-called minor crime, we will be able to get a firm grip on more serious crime,” Johnson said.

About 80% of people approve the ban, according to Transport for London.

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