Hotel bars seem to be underrated across the globe, but not in Mumbai. The city that never sleeps is full of hotel bars that people love to attend. When it comes to bars, hotel bars in Mumbai rank pretty high on the elite scale. Most hotel bars boast a highly trained, and also popular bar staff and mixologists.

In Mumbai, Hotel Bars are known for the elite. With the swankiest interiors and a chunk of good prices, Hotel Bars across Mumbai are known for their elite crowd.

If you’re in Mumbai, and you have a little bit of a budget to spend on some of the best cocktails across the city, then here are 5 hotel bars that you must visit.

Wink – Vivanta, by Taj

Located at the Taj President Hotel, Wink is a Japanese themed bar – with interiors done by Noriyoshi Muramatsu, who is also the interior designer of the famous ZUMA in London.

Wink offers customers a wide range of cocktails and a quite large wine list. However, that’s not all. For those looking for a little healthy twist to their drinks, Wink’s mixologist J. Majerik also concocts a list of detox cocktails which include fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. The detox cocktails are loved by everyone.

Location – President, Mumbai – IHCL SeleQtions 90, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400005

Image Source: Eventshigh.com

Aer – Four Seasons

The Mumbai skyline is famous for being lit up all night long, and what better view of the city than from the 34th floor, as you sip some of the best cocktails.

Along with cocktails and a wide range of both local and imported wine, Aer also boasts some mouthwatering tapas to keep you full while you enjoy your drinks. And of course, the view is to die for!

Location – 1/136, 34th Floor, Dr. E Moses Rd, Worli, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400018

Image Source: Magicpin.in

Li Bai – Palladium Hotel

Perched on the 37th floor of the Palladium Hotel, and over 500 feet above sea level, Li Bai is a great bar to relax and feel the vibe at. The entire feeling at Li Bai is as if you’re sitting in between clouds.

The bar takes its name from the famous Tsang Dynasty poet, and the cocktail list is also inspired by events from his life – which add a little bit of quirk to the bar. Along with the standard cocktails, Li Bai boasts a large variety of Asian flavored cocktails which people tend to love.

Location –  The St. Regis Mumbai, 462, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013

Image Source: Restaurantindia.in

Opium Den – Trident 

Opium den is known for two things: their extensive wine list, and a plethora of flavored mojitos. The inviting and calm ambiance of the bar is what attracts most consumers to it.

Bartenders at the Opium Den are always concocting new cocktails and playing around with flavors that are not necessarily the staple ones out there, and that’s what makes this bar different. Opium Den boasts one of the largest wine lists in Mumbai, along with some crazy happy hour deals on a daily basis.

Location – Trident, Lower Lobby Level, Nariman Point, South Mumbai, Maharashtra 400021

Image Source: Tridenthotels.com

Long & Short – Intercontinental Hotel

Located at the Intercontinental Hotel on Marine Drive, Long & Short breaks tradition when it comes to hotel bars. Unlike the snooty appearances of most hotel bars, Long & Short boasts a very gastropub type vibe.

The menu is scribbled on a chalkboard behind the bar, which gives it a quirky feel to it. Plus, happy hour deals are a steal at Long & Short.

Location – Intercontinental 135 Marine Drive, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Rd, Churchgate, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400020

Image Source: Justdial.in

Header Image Credit: Opium Bar

Theme bars and restaurants have been loved by everyone across the globe. From tiki-themed pubs to a rave themed bar/restaurant – almost every city in the world has a good amount of themed bars and restaurants, and of course, Mumbai is no exception.

Being known for its bar-hopping culture, Mumbai has a wide range of restaurants and bars to offer, all of which have a wide range of alcoholic beverages including cocktails, shots, wine, and the best liquor out there. With people being more excited about the growing drinking culture, themed clubs have also taken a new turn in Mumbai.

People love a good theme where they can dress up, drink like a particular theme, and just get into character. It’s kind of like a Halloween party every weekend.

So if you are someone looking for some quirk along with their alcohol, here are 7 themed restaurants and bars in Mumbai that you must visit.

Cafe Hydro

Located in Borivali, Hydro is an Aqua themed cafe/bar. In fact, it is the first Aqua themed across Mumbai. The interiors bring life to the place with flowing water and the cooling shades of green and blue. The Aqua theme representing seafood, the menu is a delicious range of Asian and Oriental cuisine.

Location – Shop No.3, Esspee Tower, Dattapada Rd, Ekta Bhoomi Gardens III, Rajendra Nagar, Borivali, Mumbai, Maharashtra 40006

Image Source: Curly Tales

Bar Stock Exchange

Designed and inspired by a classic stock market, Bar Stock Exchange is a chain that you’ll definitely want to pop into at one time or another. The entire concept of Bar Stock Exchange is to make people choose their drink, and choose what they pay for their drink. On top of that, it’s all just fun and games. Bar Stock Exchange has nine outlets across Mumbai – with the Colaba outlet being the most famous for both interiors and everything else.

Location – Hotel Appolo, 22, MB Marg, Behind Regal Cinema, Apollo Bandar, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001

Image Source: RestaurantIndia.in

Bhaijaanz

Located in Khar, Bhaijaanz is a restaurant and bar that is themed after Salman Khan. Fans love Salman Khan, and this bar is perfect for Salman lovers. Even the food is named after his movies and songs!

Location – G2, White Rose Building, Off Carter Rd, near Rizvi College, Khar West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400051

Image Source: Dineout

Mighty Small

Located in Lower Parel, Mighty Small is a circus-themed bar and restaurant. The interiors are done up in a classic circus way, with hand-painted tables, red and white booths, and an overall appearance that will remind you of a circus. Even though Mighty Small has some great food, it’s known for its desserts – and let us tell you, the portions are definitely not small.

Location – Kamala Mills Compound, GN 4, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013

Image Source: Zomato

Heroes Lounge

Here’s one for our Marvel and DC fans. Smack in the heart of Ghatkoper East, Heroes Lounge is a superhero-themed sheesha bar. Sheesha bars are quite rare to find these days, however, Heroes plays a large role in keeping the sheesha bar trend alive. With jazzy music, good hookah, and a superhero vibe all around – Marvel & DC fans have created a special spot for themselves in this cafe/bar.

Location – The Destination Building, 4th Floor, Next to Shopper Stop, Ghatkopar-Mahul Road, Chembur 400089, Above Mc Donalds, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400089

Image Source: Zomato

Header Image Credit: The Bar Exchange. Source: Zomato

A city bustling with life and constantly on the go, Mumbai is one of the most important cities in India. It is one of the most diverse cities you will come across anywhere in the world with the dynamic being different in almost every aspect. Right from the lifestyles of people, to the demographics, to the different cultures and work environments that encompass the city of dreams. The one thing that unites the people of the city, however, no matter their age, culture or beliefs is the way they celebrate. From the dynamic early 20’s group to the people in the mid-thirties, from the ones chasing a dream to the ones who have accomplished most or some of theirs, there is something in Mumbai for everyone.

Full of classic bars and pubs and modern restaurants that each have something unique to offer, Mumbai is full of places to grab a drink at. Whether it is on a weekend rejoicing with a couple of friends from college, or on a weekday after a not-so-great day at work, there are drinks for anyone and everyone. Here are some of the places that should be on your list the next time you head out in Mumbai for a great time.

Leopold Cafe: In a city that is draped in history, it is but natural that we start with a classic cafe that has served thousands of people for many years. If you are a bookworm, and possibly come across Gregory David Robert’s book Shantaram, you know what Leopold Cafe is. And if you are a native of Mumbai, you for sure know what Leopold Cafe is. From classic cocktails to a great pint of beer, you can spend a great time here with their lip-smacking food to go along with your choice of drink. There is of course the option of ending your time there on a sweet note with their cheesecakes, Leopold Cafe is where you want to get a taste of Mumbai’s culture.

Image source: Wikipedia

Dome: If you are a sucker for watching the sun go down as you sip on a glass of your favorite drink, Dome Intercontinental is the place you want to head to. Located at Marine Drive, a prime area in Mumbai, Dome has a spectacular view of the Arabian Sea with its open-air lounge setting. From some of the finest wine collections available to cocktails that are as inviting as their food and environment, Dome has nailed the idea of the perfect pub.

Image source: TravelCNN

Toast & Tonic: One of that international bar and restaurant chains that draws inspiration from local flavor and ingredients, Toast & Tonic is among the finest places in Mumbai to grab a drink. Artisan to its core, it is a paradise for gin lovers and also offers delicious food to accompany the drinks. If you are in Mumbai and want to enjoy a quiet time with a drink in your hand and great food on the table, Toast & Tonic is where you want to head to.

Image source: Designpataki

Monkey Bar: Located in one of the busiest areas of Mumbai, Monkey Bar is a quirky gastropub full of mood lighting and design elements that add to its elegance and decor. The atmosphere as soon as you enter is so inviting that you will be charmed with the place even before you look at their menu, which in itself is one to cherish. A menu that does not bow down to stereotypes and has a delightful combination of out of the box and comfort food to go with a drinks menu that screams anything but ‘regular’ is worth coming back to again and again.

Image source: Oliverbarandkitchen

HQ (Headquarters): With brick walls and shady lighting dominating the interiors here, HQ is the perfect hangout place for people of all ages. A very Londonish feel and setting, HQ offers a wide variety of drinks, right from classic cocktails to stand-alone drinks on the menu. There is a choice of seating available as well with singular seating and corners, in case you are in great company and need privacy for your fun conversations. Beer on tap and located in an area full of places for sightseeing, HQ is a place you can come and unwind.

Image source: HQ Facebook

Harbour Bar: A place famous for its wine collection and terrific food, the Harbour Bar is located at the historic Taj Mahal Hotel and was the first licensed lounge bar in Mumbai. With a global cuisine and a drinks menu that is a little intimidating, Harbour Bar is a place that calls for celebrations on special occasions. Well, it is not necessary for it to be that way, but whenever you visit Harbour Bar it does feel special. When you decide to visit, do try The Harbour, their signature cocktail.

Image source: Distinguished

London Taxi: A three-storeyed restaurant and pub, London Taxi brings a number of cocktails from the Prohibition era to the table. It resides in Lower Parel, one of the posh areas of Mumbai and attracts crowds that are vivid and give the pub a very fresh outlook on most occasions. There are also live performances to enjoy and sugar-free cocktails (yes, that is an option too) which make London Taxi an enticing option to visit.

Image source: LondonTaxi Facebook

Mumbai is replete with bars, pubs and gastropubs to such a great extent that you will find options in abundance no matter what time of the day you wish to head out to one. From places that offer excellent food, from ones that offer you great views of the city to ones that offer you a cozy atmosphere and ones that are full of vibrant energy, in a way Mumbai’s bars are a representation of how life in the city is.  A city full of cultural hotspots, Mumbai will keep you on your toes when it comes to making a decision about selecting where you want to go and enjoy a drink.

Header Image Credit: Toast & Tonic

The idea of a cozy relaxing weekend at home seems incomplete without getting curled up in front of the TV and watching your favorite shows, preferably with some popcorn and that favorite drink in your hand. What if you could pair those shows with drinks to amp up the experience?

Here are the top-rated shows you can binge-watch while having a glass of wine or cocktail recommended by us.

Tales From the Loop S1 – Amazon Prime 

Genre: (Science Fiction)

Tales from the loop is an American Science Fiction Drama web television series based on the eponymous art book by Swedish artist Simon Stalenhag. With just one season available, this series deserves a watch for its beautiful storytelling and outstanding background score. Pair it with a nice Chardonnay that reminds you of a long-forgotten childhood story and a Sauvignon Blanc wine that brings you back to reality. We recommend Fratelli Vineyards M/S White wine, a blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc grapes.

Image Source: Fratelli Wines

The Man In The High Castle S4 – Amazon Prime 

Genre: (Alternate History)

A different history, different times in a very different world! An American dystopian alternate history, The Man in the High Castle is mind-boggling with strange possibilities of an alternate time. The story depicts a parallel universe where the Axis powers of Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan rule the world after their victory in World War II. It is an engaging series that’s fuelled by many hypotheses. This show is all about the bittersweet truth from a parallel life. What we can suggest is to watch it with a Campari Soda with a slice of lemon to match up to the bitter truths of the story’s twists and turns. 

James May: Our Man In Japan S1– Amazon Prime 

Genre: (Travel Documentary)

Who doesn’t love travel shows! Especially when the show is exploring a country like Japan through the eyes of one of the most entertaining hosts of television, James May. The show is a chronicle of his deeds and mishaps, experiences that showcase the side of Japan, which one would not see otherwise like a regular tourist. 

Some sake or Japanese beer could be paired with it but watching the English man’s interesting escapades in a foreign country goes well with a drink of gin and tonic. Go for a Tanqueray Gin with Fever-Tree Tonic water.

Image Source: Pairingguide

Ratched – Netflix 

Genre: (Psychological Thriller) 

From the makers of the popular TV series American Horror Story comes this dark mystery thriller that certainly isn’t for the faint-hearted. Ratched is a suspenseful drama series that tells the origin story of asylum nurse Mildred Ratched set in the year 1947. Interesting backdrop, engaging plotline, the sheer grandeur of the show with a highly impressive ensemble cast makes it for a great watch.

Pairing suggestion, none other than an Old Fashioned cocktail with American whiskey (Jack Daniels or Makers Mark).

Image Source: Liquor

Connected: The Hidden Science of Everything – Netflix 

Genre: (Science & Nature Docuseries)

Connected is a docuseries where journalist Latif Nasser is investigating ways in which we are all connected to each other and the universe. Finding context in every being and giving meaning to the existence of many rare fact-findings, Connected makes for an interesting watch for curious minds. We suggest you sip on some Wild Craft Cider for this leisure watch.

Image Source: Instagram

Mirzapur 2 – Amazon Prime 

Genre: (Crime / Action Thriller)

The story from the Indian heartland filled with a gripping narration and strong casting makes it binge-watch worthy. You need a copious amount of rum & coke to deal with this one. Mirzapur (S1 and S2) calls for caution as it’s filled with action, violence and profanity but also offers some high-grade drama and entertainment.

We suggest a drink that’s close to the heartland, Rum & coke. Pair it with Bacardi White rum and coke. If you feel adventurous add some salt and drop a slice of lime into the glass.

Image Source: Thrillist

The Crown S4 – Netflix 

Genre: (Historical/Drama)

The Crown Season 4 is currently streaming on Netflix. If you have been a Royal Family fan, like the millions of world over and can’t have enough of the gossips from the palace, this series is for you. Even though it’s touted as a fiction show viewers are bound to draw similarities between all the happenings in the British royal family and her relationships with the other royal family members. But, with all those royal lunches and dinner scenes shown in the S4 of the series you are bound to feel hungry and thirsty.

So we suggest this delicious Sileni New Zealand Pinot Noir wine available in India. Also, pairs well with spicy Indian curries.

Image Source: Moorewilsons

The Queen’s Gambit – Netflix 

Genre: (Period Drama/ Limited series)

If you have remotely fancied to become a chess player or ever enjoyed a game or two, you wouldn’t want to miss this. Based on the American novel written by Walter Tevis, The Queen’s Gambit explores the life of a female chess prodigy.  Pair the show with a powerful Sangiovese wine, preferably a Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy.

Or, you can find a delicious powerful yet sublime Sangiovese wine. The sweet oaky smell of the tobacco filled aromas that start with a big bouquet of voluptuous complex meaty notes and on the palate, the wine finishes with a hint of bitterness. Great acidity and super tannins.

This particular style of wine has a feminine undertone with a masculine cover-up (choose any of the imported Brunello or with Reveilo Sangiovese wine from India) that would perfectly pair with The Queen’s Gambit.

Image Source: Finewinehouse

* All the above-mentioned drinks brands are available in India. 

Written by Rojita Tiwari

An award-winning drinks professional, Founder & The Drinks Coach at Drinks & Destinations. She is a wine & spirits writer, educator, trainer, consultant & juror at several international drinks competitions. She can be reached at [email protected]. 

By Signing Up to Mumbai Drinks Guide you can list your bar, restaurant, bottle shop, etc… in our directory. 

If you are a producer you will be able to submit your beverages for our ongoing competition so they are tasted by our judges and you can then choose to promote them in our platform based on the results obtained. 

Registration is free and some of our services have an additional charge or subscription. 

We are currently offering free business listing.

Winning the Paris Wine Cup is a celebrated feat. It is where wines are judged by three distinctive parameters; Quality, Value, and Packaging. It is not enough to just have a good quality wine to win big at the Paris Wine Cup. The wine also has to perform well on grounds of packaging, commercial relevance, and value for money. This truly tests the mettle of all kinds of wines that enter the competition.

Image: Judging Process From Paris Wine Cup – 2022

Here are all the highlights from the third annual Paris Wine Cup that was held in Paris on March 17, 2022.

Wine of the Year: Porta da Ravessa Special Edition 2020 Vintage – 96 Points | Double Gold, Gold Medal

Winery of the Year: Arca Nova Vinho Verde Branco by Quinta das Arcas

Best in the show by country: 

Porta da Ravessa Special Edition 2020 Vintage (Portugal) – 96 Points | Double Gold, Gold Medal, Wine of the Year, Best In Show By Country, Best Wine By Value, Best Wine By Package

Alpasión Malbec (Argentina) – 93 Points | Best In Show By Country, Gold Medal

Granted Wish Shiraz (South Africa) – 93 Points | Best In Show By Country, Best In Show By Varietal, Gold Medal

*310 Altitudine Traminer – Riesling (Moldova, Republic of) – 92 Points | Best In Show By Country, Gold Medal

Lisa McGuigan Botrytis Semillon (Australia) – 91 Points | Best In Show By Country, Gold Medal

Phanto (Italy) – 91 Points | Best In Show By Country, Gold Medal

Maison Patrick GIBOULOT Corton Charlemagne Grand cru (France) – 91 Points | Best In Show By Country, Best In Show By Regions Of France, Best In Show By Varietal, Gold Medal

Pedroteño Tempranillo (Spain) – 88 Points | Best In Show By Country, Best In Show By Varietal, Silver Medal

Anhydrous Afoura (Greece) – 87 Points | Best In Show By Country, Silver Medal

Sant Thias Grüner Veltliner (Austria) – 87 Points | Best In Show By Country, Silver Medal

Best in Show by Regions in France: Maison Patrick GIBOULOT Corton Charlemagne Grand cru – 91 Points | Best In Show By Country, Best In Show By Regions Of France, Best In Show By Varietal, Gold Medal

Best wine by Quality: Troyanda Carpat – 91 Points

Best wine by Value: Porta da Ravessa Special Edition – 96 Points

Best wine by Package: Porta da Ravessa Special Edition – 96 Points

Adega Cooperativa de Redondo has once again closed top of the chart with their Double Gold winning Porta da Ravessa Special Edition 2020 Vintage. This Still Wine from Portugal is made from Verdelho / Gouveio / Verdelho, Arinto / Assario branco, Antao Vaz varietals and one 96 points at the Paris Wine Cup. This wine was also awarded the Wine of the Year, Best In Show By Country, Best Wine By Value, and Best Wine By Package. The cooperative has also won 14 medals beyond the Porta da Ravessa Special Edition 2020 Vintage win.

What makes the Paris Wine Cup different from its peers is that it does not just taste the wines blind and base its decisions and medals on that, but goes two steps further. Once judges taste the wines their quality scores which is a bling tasting then also evaluate the value of the wine for the money. The Paris Wine Cup aims to recognize, reward, and promote wine brands that have successfully been created to identify with and target a specific wine drinker.

Image: Paris Wine Cup Medals

The 2022 Paris Wine Cup has also seen awards galore. Wines from around the world have bagged many medals as well as special titles. The Medal Tally at the 2022 Paris Wine Cup looks like this:

– 1 Double Gold Medal

– 14 Gold Medals

– 188 Silver Medals

– 88 Bronze Medals

Image: Wine Samples From Paris Wine Cup – 2022

For as long as anyone alive can remember France and Paris have had a focus on the wine industry. Government bodies, regional promotion organizations, winemaking, and wineries, but seldom has the focus been on the consumer. The Paris Wine Cup puts the focus firmly on the consumer and what they want from a bottle of wine. Click here to see the full results.

About Beverage Trade Network

Beverage Trade Network (BTN) is a global media and B2B networking platform serving suppliers, buyers, and alcohol beverage professionals in the global wine, spirits, and beer industry. BTN also owns BevRoute, a magazine for importers and distributors, and runs a lineup of trade shows around the world, including USA Trade Tasting in New York; IBWSS UK in London; IBWSS USA in San Francisco; IBWSS China in Shanghai; and the London Wine Competition in London.  For more details on Beverage Trade Network, please see: Beverage Trade Network Website

The 2021 results of the fourth annual London Beer Competition are out. Abbatiale Genièvre de Houlle from France wins the beer of the year award with the top score of 96 points. 

Other top scores were taken by Ikat, a double IPA made by the Salt Beer Factory, United Kingdom; and Great Skanderborg – Castrum from Denmark, both scoring 94 points.

Beers were judged on the basis of three primary criteria – quality, value, and packaging – and then scored on a 100-point scale. Beers that scored 90+ points were awarded Gold medals, while beers that scored 76 to 89 points were awarded Silver medals. The primary reason for using three criteria rather than just one is to focus on the overall drinkability of each beer. 

As a result, the judging panel ranks beers not just by how they taste, but also their overall presentation and appearance in the bottle. In addition, judges assess beer on its relative value in relation to their peers, as determined by retail pricing.

The London Beer Competition is organized by Beverage Trade Network, which organizes alcohol beverage industry events all over the world. The goal of this event was to judge beer the way consumers assess them.

At the judging session, judges tasted and scored beer on a blind basis before seeing bottles and marking them for on-shelf appeal as well as value for money. This enabled them to come up with an aggregate score that reflects their overall drinkability.

The Team, London Beer Competition

London beer lovers can now find these beers in the UK and other parts of the world and buy them with confidence as they offer a great mix of quality, value and attractive packaging.

The Judges

The London Beer Competition was judged by a panel of top-level beer buyers with current direct commercial buying responsibility, beer consultants, and experts who are also directly involved in the development of new beer brands or buying beer for commercial resale.

2021 Judging Panel

These are the top winners of the competition:

Beer Of The Year: Abbatiale Genièvre de Houlle from France.

Judges tasting notes:

Gabriele Bertucci, Beer Sommelier wrote “Perfectly clean bright orange in the glass. Light beige generous head. The aroma is bright fruitiness & spiciness: nectarine, white pepper, rustic hay. The body is medium and doesn’t show its 8.5%. Tate is candid sugar, white grapes, some noble hops, coriander, overall herbal. Not oversweet or sticky.”

Mitch Adams Operations, Beer & Cider buyer, Euroboozer wrote “Big honeyed sweetness, full-flavoured deep, rich golden ale. Beautifully packaged”

Brewery Of The Year: Salt Beer Factory from the United Kingdom

Best Beer By Quality: Abbatiale Genièvre de Houlle from France.

Best Beer By Value: HYPERBOLA by Lepi Dečki Brewery from Croatia 

Tasting note: Complex aromas of coffee, chocolate, and spices. The beer is rich and bold with flavors of sour berries, milk chocolate, and potting soil.

Best Beer By Package: Abbatiale Genièvre de Houlle from France.

These are the Country category winners

Best Beer From United Kingdom: Ikat

Best Beer From Denmark: Great Skanderborg – Castrum

Best Beer From Belgium: Tripel Karmeliet

Best Beer From Poland: Porter Bałtycki Trzech Kumpli

Best Beer From Netherlands: Bird of Prey IPA

Best Beer From Spain: Mahou Cinco Estrellas Session IPA

Explore the night life of Mumbai from a bartenders eyes – from beer taprooms, to pubs turned clubs to the local bars of the city.

1. Ami Shroff : TOIT / Dolally

Multi award winner Ami Shroff is one of the biggest names there is in the flair bartending scene of India. Pioneering the cause for the LGBTQ+ community, she has been featured in ads, netflix films, TEDx talks, bar consultancy and brand shoots too. She has worked guest shifts for various national and international events too.

Picture by Ami Shroff

When asked how she unwinds after a long day, here is what she had to say –
“Would be a brewery and would go for the IPA or any sour beer”

Her favourite places to visit are TOIT or Doolally Both of these are the most popular craft beer taprooms in the city, with multiple branches you can visit. They have perfect pairing food to go with their extensive range of beers, and do home delivery of the craft beers as well.

However, the ambience at the joint itself is unbeatable – with perfect music, board games and young crowds that pour in and out all day. They also host occasional workshops so it’s best to keep an eye out on their Instagrams for events and more.

Picture by Doolally, TOIT

2.Shobith Salian : MH04

Shobith is a bartender from Mangalore who is seen shaking and stirring kickass cocktails at Thane’s newly opened Mato Mato. He is also among the Top 12 finalists of Diageo World Class 2022. 

Picture by Shobith Salian

When asked how he unwinds after a long day, here’s what he had to say –  “I am a party freak so I like to party at mh 04 pub in Thane. I have a cocktail named Donvito.

It’s a combination of whisky ,orange,cinnamon concoction”

MH04 The Drunkyard is a vibrant and energetic cocktail bar that turns into a club on all weekend nights. They regularly invite DJs, music artists and performers to entertain their crowds. They also have special offers like Ladies Night Wednesdays, Bollywood Nights and Latin Fever Night etc.

Picture from MH04 The Drunkyard

Address : C-1 B-1, Kothari Compound, 27 Acre, Near Royal Enfield Service Center, Manpada, Thane West

For Table Reservations:- 8698030404 / 8698020404

3. Ashitosh Narayanan : Local bars of Mumbai

Born and raised in Mumbai, Ashitosh Narayanan is a multi award winning bartender and has always been associated with events and parties. He is currently the bar manager at La Loca Maria, Bandra  – newly launched premium restaurant with Spanish/European influence.

Picture from Ashitosh Narayan

When asked how he unwinds after a long day, here’s what he had to say, on behalf of a lot of bartenders out there, might we add – 
“Well no fancy bars, as once they shut [only then] we get time for ourselves. GOKUL used to be our go to place. Then Gopal-Krishna aka GK near Dadar station. Andheri has options like Laxmi Punjab (LP) , Navik Greetings & Delight Galaxy situated right under the WEH Metro stationPeople spend time till the morning as most of the bartenders commute by train and have to wait for trains to start again.

You can say a lot of OLD MONK & Coke, Indian whisky and Mixers and Beers are everyone’s go to.”

Picture from things2doinmumbai

All the bars mentioned above are as old as Mumbai itself, and a local favourite especially for the night time. They are cheap, they are accommodating and you’ll see right from the biggest shots to the daily wage drinkers – everyone finds solace in these hubs where the city truly comes to life.

Article by Stuti Khetan, Beverage Trade Network
 

Blog archive

The city of dreams is a paradise for wine lovers as well. Why might you ask? The first answer that immediately pops to our minds is that Mumbai is full of places that offer some of the finest wines you will come across. It makes you feel royal, aristocratic at times while on others it just comes with a great sense of refreshment on a hot and humid day (which is most often the case in Mumbai). There however is one more reason behind why Mumbai is a great place for wine lovers, that being the wineries in and around Mumbai that offer a fantastic experience for one and all. 

India has a number of great wineries and some of them are fairly close to Mumbai to go and have a weekend expedition indulging in wine tasting, vineyard tours and more. Here are a few that deserve to be on your list of wineries to visit when you find ample time to have a wonderful time.

Sula Vineyards: A popular destination among people of all ages, Sula Vineyards is the most renowned winery in the country and it lies just over 200 kilometers from the city. Established back in 1999, Sula Vineyards is on the list of many as a vineyard and resort to visit. It was Nashik’s first-ever winery, a city that has since gone on to be known as the wine capital of the country. Sula Vineyards has been the pioneer for a lot of wine-related things in the country, from bringing the country its first-ever wine tasting room to becoming the first vineyard to plant Zinfandel in the country, it has a lot of firsts to be proud of. Now having added a resort to their beautiful vineyards, Sula offers a great experience with tours and tastings available and overnight stays possible as well. A guide with all the knowledge you would want to take away from related to wines accompanying you, a trip to Sula Vineyards is as rewarding from a knowledge standpoint as it is from the point of view of making countless memories, stored in the hearts and cameras. If you want to know what India’s wine history is like, this is the place to visit.

Image Source: Sula Vineyards, Facebook

Fratelli Vineyards: Located in Akluj, about six hours from Mumbai stands this beautiful and modern winery that you can visit to enjoy a time in sync with nature as it is quite literally in the middle of nowhere. Its location allows you to become one with nature and of course, with the wines made for you. From spots that overlook a hill to rooms that are luxurious and inviting, and a collection of wines that are available in all the different forms, along with some international selections, Fratelli Vineyards tour is as engaging as their story. Master winemaker Piero Masi has weaved magic at Fratelli with the perfect environment in place to grow wine grape varieties that bring classic and unique wines to fruition. Equipped with great technology and equipment, the wines are made and bottled to perfection for you to enjoy as you escape the fast-paced life of Mumbai and come and relax at their state of the art location.

Image Source: Living Spaces.Net

Vallonne Vineyards: A boutique winery in Igatpuri, what sets Vallonne Vineyards Pvt. Ltd apart from the rest of the wineries here is how immersed it gets the visitors in their winemaking process. With the winemaker himself leading the winery tours and the tasting tours, visitors get a firsthand experience of how wine is made, right from the process of plucking the right grapes to the bottling of wines to the right track of enjoying an exquisite wine. If all this isn’t enough, they have a southeast Asian inspired restaurant that offers a lake view apart from the fact that its menu perfectly complements the delectable wine selection available at Vallonne. With rooms that help you enjoy the scenic beauty of Igatpuri as you watch the sunset with a glass of your favorite wine in your hand, Vallonne Vineyards offers a truly magical experience of wine tasting.

Image Source: Vallonne Vineyards, Instagram

Soma Vine Village: Another big reason behind Nashik’s growing popularity as a wine powerhouse in India is Soma Vine Village. Growing on the back of owner Mr, Pradeep Pachpatil’s dream of having something of his own, Soma Vine Village has been going strong since it first started operations in 2007. Upon learning the craft of winemaking moved forward and learned the aspect of operations and marketing which went a long way in bringing Soma Vine Village to fruition. In its thirteen-year strong run, it has become a popular destination for wine lovers who wish to retreat to a luscious space that has wine at its heart. Boasting of a variety of wines made from grapes harvested at their vineyards, Soma Vine Village also hosts tours and tasting while having activities for visitors even when they are not indulging in their wines. A must-visit for anyone looking to get out of Mumbai and enjoy a glass of red (or white).

Image Source: Soma Vine Village, Website

Oftentimes Mumbai can get on your nerves, with the constant travel, the never-ending hustle and the sheer noise that never ceases to stop. At a time like this, it is not always the comfort of your homes that is enough to cheer you up. If at any point in time you face such a situation, pack your bags, head to one of these wineries and enjoy a great time as all your dilemma goes down with the aroma of wines, the freshness of the wineries and the amazing views that these wineries bring along. 

Header Image Credit: Sula Vineyards, Facebook

India is a diverse land, rich in culture and food. But did you know that the country is also home to the world’s third-best whiskey? In 2009, acclaimed whisky writer Jim Murray rated Amrut Fusion (in which Indian barley is combined with peated barley imported from Scotland) as the third finest whisky in the world in his annual Whiskey Bible. 

That being said, the distillery also boasts a range of other award-winning rums and whiskeys. 

The Amrut Old Port Rum by Amrut Distilleries won a gold medal with 92 points at the recently held 3rd annual Bartender Spirits Awards 2021. 

The Bartender Spirits Awards brings to you a list of top-quality spirits that deserve a spot on your to-drink list. The competition judges spirits across the parameters of mixability, balance and versatility, taste, mouthfeel and finish, package, and price. Medals are awarded to those spirits that meet the very specific judging criteria. The judging panel at the Bartender Spirits Awards includes top bartenders, bar managers, and buyers from U.S. restaurants, bars, pubs, and clubs. This year’s judging panel consisted of experts from establishments like Buffalo Wild Wings, Madrone Art Bar, Blackbird Bar, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, and many more. 

Amrut Old Port Deluxe Matured Rum, Source: Website

The gold medal winner, Amrut Old Port Rum shows sweet vanilla aromas and flavors of pistachio brittle and spices. It tastes silky, dry-yet-fruity, with a medium-to-full body and a  crystallized ginger, nutmeg, and bubblegum spice-accented finish. Judges at the Bartender Spirits Awards described this rum to be ‘approachable as a sipper, but can also be used as a mixer’.

The rise of Amrut Distillery 

Amrut is a Sanskrit word that can be translated to ‘nectar of god’ or ‘nectar of life’. While Amrut Distillery is now known for its award-winning whiskeys, they didn’t start out that way. The distillery was founded by Shri J N Radhakrishna in 1948, and at the time, they were known to be contract bottlers for various alcoholic beverages across the country. Their first product line was introduced in the 1950s exclusively for the Indian armed forces. 

The company discovered that the hot weather in India makes whiskey mature faster than it does in Europe or the United States. The fraction lost to evaporation due to aging was known as angel’s share. Surinder Kumar, the master blender at Amrut Distilleries had also estimated that one year of barrel aging in India was equal to three years of aging in Scotland.

Amrut Distillery’s first whiskey was introduced in 2004, by Rakshit Jagdale (Executive Director),  the founder’s grandson. The launch was in response to his father, Neelakantarao R Jadgale’s challenge to his son Rakshit, who was working towards an MBA in Newcastle, to market an Indian single malt in the very home of spirits, Scotland. 

Before officially launching in the Indian market, the Amrut Single Malt Whiskey debuted in Glasgow, Scotland on 24 August 2004, ready to introduce Indian spirits to the world. And later, in 2010, the whiskey finally made its way to the Indian market. Meanwhile, the distillery continued adding more whiskies to their international portfolio.

Single malts are made from a single grain at a single distillery (as opposed to blended whiskies, which combine cereals). Unlike other Indian whiskies that used molasses, Amrut was made using barley, sourced from the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. After the distillation process, Amrut whiskey is aged in “ex-bourbon” American oak barrels. Bourbon is matured in casks of virgin oak, which is then used by the distillery. Much of the flavor comes from these casks. Amrut currently has 4,000 plus barrels of whisky “sleeping” in four large warehouses.

Handpicked casks are selected for bottling Amrut Single Malt Whiskey and go through rigorous testing by master blender, Surinder Kumar who has been doing this for over 30 years. Once the team assures that the whiskey is perfect, Amrut is ready to be bottled. While bottling, the quantity and quality are tested by trained individuals appropriately. Lastly, labeling and boxing are done by hand.

What started as a company only producing for the Indian armed forces has now turned into one of the world’s most renowned spirits brands. 

The Amrut expressions

Today, Amrut Distillery is home to 28 spirits, including award-winning rums and whiskeys. 

They have 5 frontline variants of whiskey: 
Amrut Single Malt Whiskey
Amrut Peated Indian Single Malt Whiskey
Amrut Fusion Single Malt Whiskey
Amrut Cask Strength
Amrut Peated Indian Single Malt Whiskey Cask Strength

Their Rum collection includes:
Amrut Two Indies Rum
Amrut Old Port Deluxe Matured Rum

Apart from this, they have a range of limited edition expressions such as Amrut Greedy Angel’s Chairman 12 YO, Amrut Double Cask, Amut Rye, Amrut Naarangi, Amrut Raj Igala, Amrut Kadhambam, Amrut Amalgam, Amrut Spectrum, and many more.

Beyond the Amrut Old Port Rum

Apart from the Amrut Old Port Rum, the Bartender Spirits Awards also crowned three other spirits from the distillery with a silver medal. The Amrut Fusion Single Malt Whiskey grabbed a total of 88 points, while the Amrut Classic Single Malt Whiskey took home 86 points, and the Amrut Two Indies Rum scored 81 points. 

Amrut Fusion Single Malt Whisky – A fusion of barley and Scotland peat, the Amrut Fusion gives a rich and lovely aroma of barley, dark cherry, and vanilla. Complex and rich with warming baking spices on the finish.

Amrut Classic Single Malt Whisky (Amrut Indian) – From the core of their collection, Amrut Indian is bursting with the aroma of barley, grain, and a touch of honeysuckle. It holds a lovely flavor of sweet grain, char, and just a hint of golden apple. Complex and giving on the finish with light tannin and mild floral sweetness.

Amrut Two Indies Rum – With the golden amber color, the Amrut Two Indies Rum savors almond with freshly cut sugarcane, tropical fruits with a hint of ripened banana. It tastes like sugarcane with a dash of tropical fruits and honey and runs slightly dry on the palate.

The next time you’re looking for a stellar rum or whiskey, try a bottle from the Amrut Distillery portfolio. 

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Header Image: The core range of Amrut Distillery, source: Instagram