Bar entertainment in India
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A
High Spirits
Brand new bar that's caught the attention of the student population. Has a nice open terrace.
reviewed
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B
Mocha
The young and beautiful come here for coffee, hookahs (water pipes; Rs195 to Rs245) and snacks (Rs50 to Rs150). Lovely outdoor garden.
reviewed
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C
Lounge 31a
Swooping glass architecture offers Zen aesthetics and light-suffused sunset views from four storeys high, above the Sikkim State Bank.
reviewed
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Blue & Beyond Restaurant
The open-air rooftop terrace offers unusual views over New Market.
reviewed
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Vie Lounge
Right on Juhu Beach is this glamorous party spot (opposite Little Italy restaurant). The drinks menu is 18 pages long and includes aged imported whiskies. It’s also a nice place for an early-evening coffee and snack. Call before coming to check there isn’t a private Bollywood bash on.
reviewed
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D
Gokul Bar
This classic, 100% male, Indian drinking den is a Mumbai icon and a great place for meeting locals. The upstairs air-con section is usually the haunt of the real boozers (and maybe the odd woman). With decor that is at best spartan, and no music, cocktails, or any other frills, you park yourself in a booth and indulge in cheap beer: end of story.
reviewed
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E
All Sports Bar
An ideal hangout for the 2010 Commonwealth Games. The only way you could be sportier is by competing. There are disorienting multiscreens, table football (Rs50), a pool table (Rs100), a canoe, and shiny trophies. It’s all cheery and bright, with a cheesy soundtrack, and possibly Connaught Place’s cheapest beers (Kingfisher Rs125).
reviewed
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F
Koshy’s Bar & Restaurant
Don’t step into the AC section; it’s considered a place for wannabes. The seasoned guys gather in its buzzy old wing, where they put away pints of beer and classic British meals (mains Rs50 to Rs250) in between fervent discussions. It’s an institution that has a reputation for serving Bengaluru’s intelligentsia.
reviewed
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Kylin
Mega-stylish, Kylin is ideal for an unhurried drink and Cuban cigar. Twenty single-malt whiskies feature on its extensive beverage list. There's also an appealing Oriental-inspired menu, with dim sum and sushi as well as more substantial dishes - the burnt-chilli-and-orange-liqueur sliced duck is a Delhi first.
reviewed
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G
Busaba
Red walls and contemporary art of Buddhas give this loungey restaurant-bar a nouveau Tao. It’s next to Indigo, so gets the same trendy crowd but serves cheaper, more potent cocktails. The upstairs restaurant serves pan-Asian (mains Rs300 to Rs750); its back room feels like a posh treehouse. Reserve ahead.
reviewed
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H
Bertsy Bar & Restaurant
Perfect for a quiet drink and some privacy while you're waiting for a bus. Bertsy's is a relatively spacious hole in the wall that offers a chance to get away from the city fumes. Its tinted door doesn't look too inviting but it's surprisingly wholesome on the inside. Look for the red-brick entrance.
reviewed
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I
Joey’s Pub
This classic pub, near the post office, is a great place to meet other travellers. It has sports on TV, warm rum and cold beer, and was expanding its premises at the time of research. Generally very friendly, though lone women have experienced some not entirely good-natured teasing from staff.
reviewed
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Ra
Where the city’s beautiful people come to shake their money-makers. Ra’s glass roof opens wide to the stars, and your wallet will open even wider to pay for its top-notch cocktails. Cover for couples is Rs1000, but you may be able to call ahead and get on the guest list.
reviewed
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J
Polly Esther’s
Wallowing in a cheesy time-warp of retro pop, rock and disco, this mirror-plated, groovy nightclub still manages to pull a crowd. It comes complete with a Saturday Night Fever illuminated dance floor and waiters in Afro wigs. Wednesday is free for the gals.
reviewed
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K
Q’BA
Connaught Place’s swishest watering hole has a Q-shaped bar, dim lighting, leather chairs and inviting Chesterfield sofas. Upstairs is the fine dining restaurant (from 7pm), and there’s a roof terrace, ideal on sultry evenings. Cocktails cost around Rs350.
reviewed
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Zenzi
This stylish hang-out pad is a favourite among the well-heeled. Comfy lounges are sheltered by fairy lights and a tree growing out of one wall, and the burnt-orange decor is bathed in soft light. It’s at its best when the canopy is open to the stars.
reviewed
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L
Casa Menenez Bar
One of dozens of down-to-earth drinking holes scattered along the river road and around the Municipal Gardens, this friendly place, opening out onto the street and with just a scattering of plastic tables, is great for grabbing a cool Kingfisher.
reviewed
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M
Insomnia
For Bollywood star-spotting, ultrachic Insomnia remains the place to be seen dropping some serious dough. It doesn't get going till after midnight and the minimum drinks spend is a hefty Rs600 (Rs1600 on Friday and Saturday).
reviewed
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N
Top Gear Pub
A few doors down from Casa Menenez, there’s a tiny, cool, retro bar hidden behind Top Gear’s unassuming doors. Food isn’t served here, so don’t come hungry, but it’s a great place to wet your whistle or whet your appetite.
reviewed
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O
Rick's
An intimate bar at the Taj Mahal Hotel where you can quaff all manner of spirits and beers as well as Singapore Slings and in-house concoctions like woo woo (cranberry juice & peach schnapps. Pan-Asian snack menu.
reviewed
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P
Primrose Cafe
Towards the back of Vagator village, this is often where the next party is at. At Primrose the music usually continues till 02:00 or 03:00 (depending on restrictions) under a canopy of psyche-delically painted trees.
reviewed
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Q
Copper Chimney Lounge
Chic 21st-century neo-Ottoman bar with hookah water-pipes, shimmering string-curtain dividers and mesmerising lighting effects. It's above a highly rated eponymous restaurant, behind HSCB bank. DJ at weekends.
reviewed
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R
Gem
In this dark, wood-panelled dive, a Kingfisher costs a bargain Rs78 (including tax).Downstairs you can catch a cricket match on the wide-screen TV, while upstairs has more atmosphere. The snacks are good too.
reviewed
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S
Red Light
This very trendy bar is a huge hit with Mumbai's student scene, particularly on Wednesday's when it's thumping hip-hop sessions are on. The fun-house-mirror trip to the loos is not for the faint hearted.
reviewed
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T
Café Mondegar
Café Mondegar is usually filled entirely with foreigners, but some find it less overwhelmingly foreign somehow. It also has more character. ‘Purple Haze’ seems to be always playing on the CD jukebox.
reviewed
