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Nightlife in Mumbai ( Bombay ) Guide (Bars, Clubs, etc...)

The party animal will not be disappointed by Mumbai. The city reckons itself to be the capital of Indian nightlife. Certainly, the bars and clubs offer enough variety to satisfy even the most jaded palate. The passion for the English-style pub is being challenged by the chic bar-restaurant formula – in recent months a large number of such establishments have opened, offering the city’s wealthier inhabitants a dazzling choice of places in which to spend their money. Many of the best bars are located in Colaba and along Marine Drive. The prevailing atmosphere is informal – a jacket and tie is almost never required – but Mumbaikers like to be well turned-out and the atmosphere of some establishments is decidedly chic. Many bars and clubs operate a couples-only policy, for members and non-members alike, and charge an entrance fee.

The most popular drinks are beer and spirits – particularly whisky – rather than imported wine, which is relatively expensive and often of indifferent quality, although Indian wine is now better made and more widely available than ever before. Drink prices vary considerably depending on the venue – a bottle of beer in a humble bar costs around Rs100, while in an expensive bar or hotel bar the price will more likely be in the region of Rs150-200. Licensing hours are 1130-2330 and the legal minimum drinking age is 21 years. Five-star hotels have an extension to enable them to sell alcohol until 2430 and many of the larger international hotels have a nightclub on the premises as well.

Bars: Indigo, Mandlik Road, Apollo Bunder, was the original Mumbai bar-restaurant and, despite having spawned numerous imitators, its minimalist decor still attracts a smartly turned-out set. Next door, Busaba, Mandlik Road, is a popular bar-cum-nightclub attached to a southeast Asian restaurant. Three Flights Up, in the Gordon House Hotel, Battery Street, Apollo Bunder, combines ultra-modern, almost space age decor with the longest bar in the city. Geoffrey’s, in the Hotel Marine Plaza (itself a fine example of Art Deco architecture well worth visiting), is the best-known English-style pub in Mumbai. Geoffrey’s stays open until 0100, serving a good set-price lunch. The latest hip bar in Mumbai is Suzie Wong, located on a boat in the middle of Back Bay. It is open until 0400 and is reached by motor dinghy from the jetty at the south end of Chowpatty Beach– the fare is Rs150 a head. Sitting and sipping, while propped up on cushions upon the deck and looking at the city lights over the water is an unforgettable experience. The Olive Bar and Kitchen, 14 Union Park, in the fashionable northern suburb of Bandra, is a trendy bar and restaurant, which serves food until 0200.

Casinos: There are no casinos in Mumbai, as gambling is illegal in India – except on the racecourse.

Clubs: Head Quarters, opposite the Regal Cinema, Colaba, runs a ladies’ night on Wednesday. This club is very popular with the younger crowd and admission is free. Fire and Ice, Phoenix Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Road, Lower Parel, with its mezzanine dancefloor and dazzling light show, has retained its appeal. The hottest new club in town, however, is Insomnia, located in the Taj Mahal Hotel, Apollo Bunder. It is a warren of bars and sitting-out areas with a huge basement dancefloor but has become a private members club. If you can find someone to take you there, jump at the chance. Of the other nightclubs in the international hotels, the Library, in the Taj President, 90 Cuffe Parade, boasts a lively bar and live music with free entry, while Three Flights Up, Gordon House Hotel, Battery Street, Apollo Bunder, reinvents itself as a nightclub later in the evening.

source: tiscali.com