Night Life in Mumbai by Asif Asif Khan
Mumbai has its critics but to me its my home and a true mix masalla of all that India has to offer -the riches and undoubtly the poverty, Islam and Hinduism and 16 million people make this the best and most exciting City in the world. Mumbai of course is also home to the Bollywood film industry which is far bigger than anywhere else on earth, yes even bigger than Hollywood, with over 900 films made a year.
The financial district where i work is 2nd to none and far better than either Frankfurt and Manchester where i once had the misfortune to be posted for 6 months at a time . Sure there is poverty but there is also opportunity and although it is not right that 5 million people live in the City’s slums made famous by the film Slum Dog Millionaire many of us live well and enjoy our City. There is poverty in every country and we are no different - but no better or worse than any other developing country.
The majority of the tourists who come to the City spend their time on the South side of the City and this is usually where my friends and i spend our time.
I would recommend that on a short break to Mumbai spend the day in the Colaba district full of markets, street food and shops cross the Causeway and head for an lunch onto the Sasson Dock where you will get a chance to sample ‘bombil’ the world famous fish that is the basis for ‘bombay duck’ that originated in this very dock. It’s a great place to try this food and a talking point for those back home but that is only a warm up for the real foodie treat of the area Indigo in Mandilh Marg.
Indigo has one of the best best bars in the whole of the City and although i have been a regular customer for several years i do not go without booking a table. The restaurant is widely regarded as one of the top five in the City and has an extensive European menu - a chance for me to try something different and for my Western friends to eat a home for home meal coked to the highest standards. Try to book a spot on the outdoor decking which sparkles when the sun goes down.
For late night entertainment the obvious after dinner place is the famous Leopold’s Cafe on Coloba Causeway which since 1871 has been a meeting place for local and western visitors who can amiably share a beer at its lively and historic surroundings. The bar is always packed and full of tourists so my friends and i head to the more exclusive Henry Tham’s which is one of the best if not the best in the Country. It is the watering hole for the Bollywood elite and wannabe’s who provide the best entertainment for we locals as the get drunk flirt and tarnish their carefully protected PR image. You can tell if someone famous is inside from the autograph hunters outside and the strict door policy - Wednesday nights is the busiest time so try to avoid it unless you know someone who can place you on the door list if not forget it. Friday is the best night for those in the know and the Intercon’ crowd decamp wholesale to spend the evening with the bright young things of the City.
For those with the energy and the figure head of to the top nightclub in Mumbai - Insomnia . The super rich head to the Taj Palace and tower in Appollo Bunder . Having never been i can’t comment other than say i hear that the cocktail prices would bankrupt the average middle class clubber and is only for old money and Bollywood it also one of the most difficult clubs to get into to. It may be different for Europeans.
The City and its nightlife is comparable to any City in the world somewhere that i would recommend and it even has a gay scene that would rival America’s Los angels, and the British towns of Brighton and Manchester. Our City is open to all and despite what you may have read about the religious tensions that admittedly do occasionally spill over into violence it is a tolerant and welcoming city that allows us all to be ourselves and welcomes travellers from across the globe. When and if you come on holiday try some of my recommended places and make a point of speaking to the locals.
Asif Arif – Manchester College of English, Oldham. Uk Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/night-life-in-mumbai-by-asif-asif-khan-1411656.html
http://asifarifmann.blog.co.uk/
