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| Models: Ritika; Devdutta; Dimpy |
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(From top) Afraa, Calcutta has a long bar counter which even changes colour; Rock memorabilia and vintage posters provide a quirky backdrop at the Hard Rock Cafe, Bangalore; Chill out at the Sportsbar, Delhi with a game of billiards.
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‘The seriously pub-minded will always find a way to the nearest watering hole’: Modern Bangalorean saying. Okay, fine, so we made that one up, but there’s no doubt that this remains as much a truth in Bangalore as in other metros. Blink and you are likely to find a new pub in a neighbourhood closest to you — perhaps in a formerly unnoticed street corner — all twinkly lights and jazzy décor.
Meticulous planning is going behind the successful working of each of these haunts — from the music they play to the sumptuous fare they serve up. So, as the determined pub-crawlers continue to hit the latest hotspots, they are quaffing cocktails with many a twist and digging into platters that offer bits ‘’ bites from across the globe.
Here we bring you an update on the pub scene from the metros and give your determination to be a serious pubber a gentle shove (as if you needed it!). Cheers!
Afraa
Calcutta
Décor deal
In Arabic Afraa means white and it’s the dominant colour here. Architect Kapil Bhalla has kept the lines minimalist while the white décor is given brown accents. Oak-wood floors are enhanced by the white interiors and the all-leather, white upholstery. The bar counter — one of the longest in city at 62ft, is also a pristine white though it changes colours as it is backlit. Pretty cool, huh? The best touch is the open deck outside, just perfect for a starry night.
Bar code
The bar is well-stocked and there’s also a walk-in wine cellar lurking at the bottom of a flight of stairs. Expect flair bartending and a good cigar collection. The cocktail menu is extensive with almost everything you could ask for — wine cocktails, coolers, slammers, flaming shots, warm cocktails, the classics and of course interesting house specials like Mrs JD or Ginger Bed.
Pub grub
Now the menu promises to be a hit with the city’s foodies. Celebrated food consultant and writer Karen Anand has designed the menu which offers a virtual gastronomic trek around the globe.
Music mantra
DJ Sushant Seth keeps the music mellow and throws in a lot of world music, fusion and lounge music. Jazz is another special draw with live performances held every now and then with international performers taking centrestage.
Pocket pinch:
Expect to shell out about Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 for a happy night for two. The pub hasn’t introduced a cover charge yet, except in the private room where you have to shell out Rs 10,000 as cover.
The Apartment
Calcutta
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F Bar & Lounge, Delhi has cutting edge lighting with walls
panelled with fibre optics and more |
Décor deal
Ayaz Basrai, who has also designed Venom and the blockbusters Kkrish and Partner, is the person behind the unusual design here. This watering hole replicates a plush apartment complete with a bedroom (yes, there’s a small bed too) and a living room where you can play video games, scrabble, Monopoly and even read comics.
There’s more — a room meant for small private parties, and of course the bar modelled around a loo! Sounds gross? Take our word for it — it’s actually quite cool. The idea was to create an apartment where kids party while the parents are away.
Bar code
Rocky, who calls himself the ‘bar jockey’ is the flair bartender here. Try the flaming shots, jelly shots and even panipuri shots. The bar offers a fairly large range of cocktails — from classic cocktails to remixes. They have unusual house specials too like Apartment 302 — made out of three liqueurs and any two white spirits of the guest’s choice.
Pub grub
The cuisine is continental with the option of pub meals. But regulation finger-food dominates the menu, so don’t look for innovative cuisine.
Music mantra
DJ Xavier plays a wide variety of music — hip-hop, house and retro — to keep the place rocking. Event nights are also a regular feature. The music is more to the taste of teenyboppers who frequent it.
Pocket pinch
Couple entry is for Rs 300, while stags must pay Rs 500. The private sitting room can be booked for a group of 16 at Rs 7,000.
i-Bar, The Park
Bangalore
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(From top) The colossal lounge area in Blue Frog, Mumbai ;
You can even play scrabble at The Apartment, Calcutta |
Décor deal
The i-Bar at the Park in Bangalore had a re-birth of sorts recently and is in effect a whole new property, assure its managers. The newly refurbished and completely redone space is laid out along the ‘box within a box’ concept with sliding doors separating areas. Nooks and crannies abound, creating private niches for those looking for a bit of ‘us-time’.
The décor is slightly rich and opulent, and though it has a slightly baroque feel, it remains classy and elegant. Upholstered in crimson and gold with bold florals and paisleys, filigree lanterns provide a warm glow.
Bar code
While the liquors and liqueurs are truly international, from Polish and Dutch vodkas to Midori, a Japanese melon-flavoured liqueur, the cocktails are dramatic. There’s ‘Wasp sting’, gin flavoured with tamarind, green chillies and lemon, and ‘Curry Flavours’, a citrus vodka infused with curry leaves, lemon chunks and sugar. Also popular is the i-Bar mojito, with the bar’s home-infused spice rum providing a twist on the classic cocktail.
Pub grub
The i-Bar prides itself on its ‘bar menu with a twist’. Check out the Singapore chilli crab-in-a-bun — it’s a speciality — and the red-hot Kashmiri lamb with pickled onions. The i-Bar also serves a mean nigiri sushi platter.
Music mantra
In-house DJ Shan plays everything from house to hip-hop, Fridays are Desi nights (read Bollywood music) while Saturdays are reserved for up-tempo music by DJ Robby.
Pocket pinch
Cocktails are mostly a uniform Rs 400, while liquors vary from Rs 150 a drink (they serve Old Monk!) to Rs 1,100 for Johnnie Walker Blue. Vodka, gin and tequilas are between the usual Rs 250 — Rs 400 per drink. Wines come by the glass and bottle.
Hard Rock Café
Bangalore
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The wooden interiors of Magic, Mumbai contrast with shiny metal accessories |
Décor deal
The Bengaluru (yes, they insist on that version of the city’s name) HRC prides itself on its location. Located in a heritage building, the city’s erstwhile Bible Society, the vault-like interiors are all high ceilings-exposed brick walls. The latter forms a rather quirky backdrop for all the rock memorabilia and vintage posters that form part of the décor at every Hard Rock Café worldwide.
Bar code
Most of the cocktails are HRC classics from all over the world, such as the Triple Platinum Margarita with tequila, triple sec and Grand Marnier. Old favourites such as the Bloody Mary and Caipirinha rub shoulders with the likes of the Hurricane — a rumbling blend of orange, mango and pineapple juice infused with white and dark rums.
Pub grub
Expect mainly hearty all-American fare from sirloin steaks to the Jumbo Combo — a delectable array of the most popular starters such as chicken wings and potato skins with bacon bits. There are a few nods to Bengaluru in the form of dishes like spicy calamari and prawn curry.
Music mantra
The name says it all. Well not really, because they play all sorts of rock as well as vintage pop. “It’s strictly no Britney Spears,” says marketing manager Misha Pamnany, though hip-hop with a rock influence is sometimes indulged. Live acts are still banned in Bangalore, though HRC manages to neatly circumvent that by doing live coverage of rock shows on giant screens.
Pocket pinch
Regular pub rates. No happy hours.
Blue Frog
Mumbai
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The opulent red and gold interiors of i-Bar, Bangalore |
Décor deal
International design doctors like Chris Lee and Munroe Acoustics (of the UK) seem to have had a field day doing up the swanky interiors of Blue Frog Club. A sprawling industrial warehouse in the old mill district in Mumbai has been converted into a sleek contemporary space that has sound recording studios as well as an acoustic lounge.
The colossal lounge area is actually a cluster of horse-shoe shaped cubicles of varying sizes. It’s a multi-level seating arrangement where there are fancy mahogany-panelled cylinder-shaped seating booths as well. They are arranged at different heights so that the view to the rocking live stage is not obstructed.
Bar code
Original concoctions are de rigueur at the Blue Frog Club. While regulars swear by 42, a heady blend of vodka, rum, tequila, Blue Curaçao, Triple Sec, fresh lime juice and sugar, there are takers for the signature cocktail of vodka, kaffir lime, grain sugar and Splash Blue Curaçao as well.
Pub grub
There’s heaps to choose from if you decide to nibble your way though the exotic courses served at Blue Frog Club. DeGustibus Hospitality is the name behind the jazzy menu which promises to tantalise your taste buds with international finger-food and an exhaustive degustation spread.
Music mantra
This is definitely a rich playground for music moghuls. The list is as eclectic as it gets. Everyone from Zakir Hussain, Sara Tavares, Pentagram and John Mclaughlin to celebrity rock stars like Shruti Hassan (Kamal Hassan’s daughter) has performed live here.
Pocket pinch
It could be anything between Rs 2,000 and Rs 4,000 per person. You need to shell out Rs 300 per person on weekdays and Rs 500 per person on Fridays and Saturdays as cover charge.
Magic
Mumbai
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(From top) Afraa’s oak wood floors contrast sharply with the all-leather white upholstery; i-Bar provides plenty of private niches; The Hard Rock Cafe is housed in the landmark Bible Society building
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Décor deal
Magic is inspired by Manhattan bars, famous for chic designs and stylish accessories. The interiors are done up in warm wood that contrasts with shiny metal accessories reflecting the pub’s designer lighting. Since its launch, pub crawlers have been arriving in droves to knock back drinks in the trendy surroundings. Magic also boasts of an exclusive private section with seating booths that can be booked in advance.
Bar code
Celebrity mixologist Shatbhi Basu is the woman behind the bar. Expect sharp whisky cocktails and classy wine cocktails. And to make the tipple extra heady, you also have 30 per cent discounts on magic hours stretching from 6pm till 9pm.
Other hits include Whisky Sour on the rocks, Magic potion shot, M52 shot and Tennessee ice tea.
Pub grub
It’s a mix of regular nibbles and some more upscale options to go with the drinks.
Music mantra
There’s an impressive line-up of electronic music numbers spun by top DJs from around the country and the world. It’s considered a sacrilege to play Bollywood remixes here. Magic is projected as the hub of cutting-edge local rock bands and international music by its proprietors.
Pocket pinch
A modest charge of Rs 200 to Rs 1,100 for drinks is a big draw for patrons but you have to shell out more for platters of finger-licking grub.
F Bar and Lounge
Delhi
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The Sports Bar has 20 plasma screens and pool tables |
Décor deal
F Bar and Lounge, launched by Fashion TV is an 8,000sq ft sprawling venue constructed over various split levels. The interiors are a kaleidoscope of earthy tones with occasional flashes of white and metallic hues.
And there are options galore for the fashion junkie. There’s a Fashion Lounge that’s reserved for members. And on the mezzanine level, there’s the exclusive Diamond Lounge designed by Louis Vuitton’s head honcho Karl Lagerfeld. This is available only on reservation. True to its name, it takes luxury living to the next level with Beluga caviar whispering sweet nothings to Dom Perignon Rose.
With fashion being its mantra, can a ramp be far from sight? There’s more cutting-edge lighting at work around the in-house ramp where models frequently strut their stuff. The walls are panelled with fibre optics, par cans (lanterns used during concerts) and interesting lights on the floor making a sleek statement. Fibre optic curtains in the lounge change colours from bright crimson and green to a calm blue as the evening progresses.
Bar code
This plush zone has an island bar with bartenders drumming up signature drinks. It also flaunts the largest bar in the country serving up drinks like ‘model in red’ and ‘designer at work.’
Pub grub
What is F Bar without its signature dishes, all beginning with F? Try the F grilled chicken or go for the robust flavoured bisque if you’re determined to avoid a run-of-the mill experience.
Music mantra
The entire floor reverberates to the tunes dished out by the in-house DJs on the state-of-the-art music console.
Pocket pinch
Your bill will vary depending on whether you are a member or non-members. For non-members, a Continental extravaganza will set you back by Rs 2,000 per person.
All Sports Bar
Delhi
Décor deal
Sports enthusiasts had reason to cheer when All Sports Bar opened its doors as the IPL matches took off. There’s a 14-ft rock-climbing wall at the entrance of the pub, while the first level stands out for its stadium-like seating arrangement, 20 plasma screens and pool tables.
There is a profusion of sports trivia on a concrete wall called “The Wall of Infamy”. On it are pasted photographs of notorious moments that rocked the sports world like Zidane’s head-butt, Tyson’s ear bite, the Munich massacre and so on.
Bar code
Let your spirits soar as you take your pick from a wide selection of lager from around the world. The patented cocktail concoctions are a big draw too.
Pub grub
Did we tell you that this pub is high on style? Well, the food menu is designed like a sports tabloid. Not only does it offer you a range of delectables to choose between, it also gives sports enthusiasts a round-up of latest sports news, updates, the sports calendar, schedules of international matches and also key activities happening here.
Music mantra
Well, you can groove to the peppy beats of retro and electronica but that’s not what people come here for. Instead, there’s a sports jockey who keeps patrons hooked with new and interesting board games that are making a splash across the world.
Pocket pinch
You needn’t loosen your purse strings too much for drinks and nibbles here. A couple will part with anything between Rs 800 and Rs 1,000. |
