Afraa Lounge

Where: City Centre, Salt Lake

Opened: March 28, 2007 Timings: Open from noon to 1am on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; till 11.30pm on other days. The DJ starts playing at 8pm.

USP: Salt Lake’s oldest party kid on the block is still going strong. Think a swanky lounge spread across 5,000sq ft at City Centre with good music, food and a great view from the sixth floor.

Lounge speak: “What sets us apart is a fabulous dining facility and a great view from the open terrace. No other lounge in this area has this combination. The people are more aware of this place now and the footfall keeps rising,” said Avishek Maity, marketing executive, Afraa.

Music: Resident DJ Jimmy and DJ Siddharth belt out commercial music on Fridays and Bolly hit numbers and EDM on Saturdays.

Club grub: Apart from the regular stuff, Afraa Sex on the Beach is the most popular cocktail. The Kebab Platter and Mixed Meat Grill are the fastest-moving snacks.

Pocket pinch: A bottle of Kingfisher beer costs Rs 200 (plus taxes).

Sales: “On an average, Friday and Saturday sales rake up Rs 1.5 lakh to 2 lakh. The average billing for a person is around Rs 1,500,” said the management.

Shimmers

Where: Sugam Business Park, Sector V, Salt Lake (near RDB Cinemas)

Opened: September 20, 2009

Timings: Open till 2am on Friday and Saturday; till midnight on other days.

USP: Open till late and the tipple is cheap. The 3,000sq ft lounge area and dance floor is a good option for the working crowd in Sector V.

Club speak: “IT professionals form the main base of our clientele. For many of them, Shimmers is home away from home. Also, our prices are reasonable and the relationship between our staff and the clients is very cordial because of which they love coming back,” said Sanjoy Ghosh, manager of Shimmers.

Music: Commercial, hip hop and Bolly churned out by resident DJ Ugain along with DJs Trishya and Varun.

Club grub: Munchies like the Kebab Platter and Chicken Steak washed down with whisky (Johnnie Walker Black Label, Chivas Regal and Antiquity Blue) and Heineken beer.

Pocket pinch: A bottle of Kingfisher beer comes for Rs 140. A 10 per cent corporate discount on F&B is given on all days except Saturday.

Sales: “Average billing for two is usually between Rs 500 and Rs 800,” said the management.

Bakstage

Where: EN 1, Salt Lake, Sector V (opposite Globsyn Business School)

Opened: May 5, 2013

Timings: Noon to midnight.

USP: The look. Rock ’’ roll stars, guitars, vinyl records — all things cool hang on the walls. Plus, it’s the only pub that side of town. It’s spacious too — the bar itself is spread across 7,000sq ft.

Pub speak: “To get a space like this in Calcutta is rare. Many people come here because of the music — there are barely any pubs that play Sufi Rock, which we do. This place provides a perfect ambience for the IT hub employees to relax and unwind and again get back to work!” said owner Sudhir Ahuja.

Music: Ranges from rock to retro all week, while Sufi Rock takes over on the weekends.

Pub grub: Beer and Sangria pitchers are the pop picks. Chicken Tikka Nazza, Prawn Cocktail, Onion Ring Tower and Chicken Wings are the most ordered bites.

Pocket pinch: A bottle of Kingfisher beer costs Rs 225 (plus taxes).

Sales: “On weekends, a billing for two, including alcohol, would be around Rs 1,500 at the pub,” said Ahuja.

XOXO

Where: Infinity Benchmark Building, Sector V (just above OMG Restaurant)

Opened: October 20, 2011

Timings: 1.30pm to 11.30pm, except special events for which they stay open till later.

USP: Spread over 4,000sq ft, the area is divided into a lounge section, dance floor and private dining. A good hangout for IT professionals.

Club speak: “Our service is very personal and we cater to the needs of every individual. From the music that is played to the cocktails, we try to give it a personal touch, which makes it homely,” said Diptaman Deyashi, F&B manager of OMG and XOXO.

Music: DJs Sudeep, Zaman and Ajay churn out hits ranging from house and hip hop to retro.

Club grub: Beer, whisky and vodka shots accompanied by Salt and Pepper Chicken, Tandoori Chicken and Malai Kebabs.

Pocket pinch: A bottle of Kingfisher beer costs Rs 150.

Sales: “The average billing for two on a Friday or Saturday is Rs 1,500,” said the management.

Text: Pramita Ghosh
Pictures: B. Halder
Where do you party in Salt Lake? Tell t2@abp.in