Drinking in Mumbai: Alcohol

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Indian Beer

WARNING: General Guideline: Please make sure you are talking to the right people. In any lounge/club/bar, there are a lot of upmarket people that you can get to know and talk to and in the process, verify credentials of. However, there ARE outfits operating within Mumbai clubs, (possibly)unknown to the clubs themselves, that indulge in hustling, peddling, and blackmailing. It's mostly very hard to distinguish these outgoing-looking smart set of young/middle-aged people from the 'regular' crowd. You need not even be a tourist to become a prey. Please ensure credentials of people you meet are well verified. As a general guideline you can remember : it's difficult to fake being a structural engineer or a securities analyst or doctor. It's easier to fake being an actor, dancer, or call center or hotel employee. Nothing against any professionals obviously, but you get the idea.

• Valhalla Lounge, a tapas bar and later at night, an extremely chic nightclub, is a great place to let your hair down. It has very upmarket interiors and plays host to some of Mumbai's biggest names in the party circuit. Getting in post 11:00 p.m. can be a challenge as they have a very strict guest list and a dress code.

• Tetsuma/Prive. The bar and restaurant is pretty and has some nice cocktails. A great place to pre-drink before heading off to Prive, the only good nightclub in (south) Bombay. Prive is as difficult to get in as any top nightclub in a big city.

• Poison, in Bandra. It's a great place to get a taste of Bollywood music & pretty women.

• Toto's Garage Pub, 30, Lourdes Haven Pali Junction, Bandra West 400 050, (Off Pali Market) +91 22 2600 5494. Toto's is the closest you will ever come to a Western bar. The place fires up every single night throughout the week, the beer is great, and the place is packed with locals and the occasional tourist. But don't go in expecting a seat. The tables are hard to get even if they're empty. They are parked with 'reserved' signs unless you are a party of four or six. 6PM-midnight. Rs. 250 (average per person).

• The Bayview Bar, located at the lobby level of The Oberoi. Mumbai has an arresting view of the Arabian Sea and the finest range of single malts and Habanos cigars. “George and Soft Rock Revolution” perform at the bar and sooth you with their charming renditions of Jazz Classics. Open from 5PM-1AM. Tel +91 22 6632 6220.

• Opium Den, at Hilton Towers Mumbai. Serves a vast array of martinis, daiquiris, and home infused vodkas. Quiet and convenient, this bar is a break from the ordinary. Open: 12:30PM-1:30AM Tel +91 22 6632 4343.

• Indigo — An exclusive lounge and bar located at Colaba causeway behind Hotel Taj Mahal in South Mumbai is a not to miss destination. +91 22 56368980. On the expensive side with an average drink costing Rs. 250 upwards. Boasts of a large wine collection and also serves superb fusion food. Excellent alcoholic Sunday brunch.

• Head to the nightclubs in Phoenix Mills, Ra, Aaziano and White. Although these are usually frequented by people under 18 years old.

• Not Just Jazz by the Bay (opposite Ambassador Hotel, on Marine Drive) is a small bar with live performances on most nights - best nights are Karaoke nights on Sunday and Mondays.

• Dome in the Intercontinental Hotel provides a great view of the city.

• Zenzi at Bandra (and now also at Parel in Todi mills) sees a lot of the expatriate crowd apart from models and filmmakers. Drinks aren't cheap and the service is slow, but the place is always buzzing.

• Aurus and Vie, both on Juhu Tara Road are bars facing the sea with a restaurant too. Great place for a nice drink after dinner.

• Rock Music — The Ghetto (near Mahalaxmi temple) is pretty good and has its usual media/arts college crowd and is completely filled with ultraviolet light. Tavern at Hotel Fariyas in Colaba shows music videos and is pretty packed, but don't go there if you don't like Linkin Park, etc.

• Hard Rock Cafe, Bombay Dyeing mills, and Lower Parel is usually packed with office folk on weekdays and plays older music. Expect your Zeppelin, Hendrix, REM, etc. Thursdays are band nights.
  

  Hardrock Cafe, Bombay.jpg

• Shiro , right next to Hard Rock Cafe, is beautiful, and modeled after Buddha Bar. Shiro does some fabulous sushi on one day and yet somehow can mess it up so bad on another. Retro nights on Fridays are always packed to bursting, and it usually stays open til 3 on weekends.

• Wink at the Taj President does some fantastic cocktails and some pretty decent sushi too.

• Enigma at the JW Marriott, Juhu - Great place for some bollywood music and glance of bollywood stars

• Bandra is also called the Restaurant and Pub district of Mumbai with many options for different budgets and taste ( classifieds.mybandra.com/browse/Restaurants/229/Pubs_Lounge_Bars)

• blueFROG in Todi Mills Compound. Serves up great drinks and live music every night. More relaxed on weekdays with a hip club scene on the weekend. Great atmosphere with a cool design. Also serves dinner and just had a new menu launch. Website: www.bluefrog.co.in. Can be pretty expensive, with drinks at Rs 500 upwards.

WARNING: The Mumbai police have become very srtict regarding drinking and driving. If caught it will result in either your license being suspend, to fines and even a jail term.

• Mahul, 5 km (3 miles)

• classifieds.mybandra.com/browse/Restaurants/229/Pubs_Lounge_Bars