Bandra’s Got Mumbai’s Hottest Bars: Here’s 5 You Must Visit This Weekend

We’ve barely recovered from the festive hangover, and somehow it’s almost time for NYE again. The busiest streets in the city that never sleeps? Bandra (duh!). 

Known popularly amongst locals as the suburb with one too many “secret gems,” Bandra is home to a new spot every second day of the week. And the latest obsession is the city’s most sought-after bars. From old-school joints dishing out chakli with schezwan chutney, to Instagrammable bars with cocktails you can barely pronounce, these bars in Bandra must make it to your weekend to-do, STAT.

Do visit, and don’t forget not to drive!

Bombay Daak

This nostalgic, almost sepia-toned bar transports you to the drinking culture our parents grew up with—warm yellow lighting, wooden tables, and of course, delicious, classic cocktails that taste like just like the 90s. Born out of Chef Niyati Rao and Sagar Neve’s love for India’s quintessential “shady” bar, this spot serves everyone’s favourite snacks and drinks, inspired by beloved bars from all of India. Think sloppy, greasy, deep-fried snacks that taste just like home (especially on rainy evenings accompanied by old Bollywood music), British bar-like lighting inspired by Bombay’s Fort area, and ingenious cocktails that are enjoyed and loved by locals from homes across Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Punjab, Kolkata, the Northeast, and more, right at your fingertips. 

Must-try items include the bombil, a deep-fried duck topped with Indian spices, the pork & smoke, a Meghalayan smoked pork dish, and chivda kapse, which is poha with roast chicken. Pair these with some of their best-selling cocktails: santra season, a citrus cocktail served in a pawa bottle and finding feni, made with a strong feni base and raw mango and kokum. 

Address: Shop No. 5/21, ONGC Complex, HIG Colony, Nityanand Nagar, Reclamation, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050.

Timings: Monday to Sunday (6 pm to 1:30 am) 

Price for two: INR 2,000

Toto’s Garage

Amongst all the spots tucked away in the backlanes of Bandra, this one has stolen one too many hearts. With license plates scattered aimlessly on the walls, red lighting, a vintage Volkswagen shell hanging overhead, and rock anthems that make you want to chug your drink away, Toto’s Garage is the kind of place that hasn’t changed in decades—and doesn’t need to. The bartenders know their regulars, the crowd is unpretentious, and the beer taps flow faster than you can yell for the waiter to bring another round. It’s loud, just shady enough, and quintessentially Bombay, all-in-one.

Must-try items include the draught beer, the chilli cheese toast, and the addictive chicken lollipops.

Address: 7/8, Lourdes Haven, Pali Junction, 30th Rd, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050

Timings: 5 pm–12:45 am

Price for two: INR 1,500

Bandra Born

If we were to use three words to describe this cult-favourite spot in the bylanes of Bandra, we’d scream, shout, and say humble, hearty, and very-very-homely. From food served in steel plates and bowls to their patterned glass windows, this bar is a must-visit for all those looking to hit the most hip spots in the city.

While the interiors feature bright graffiti and the best of ’90s music, the food and drinks are really where the fun is at. The restaurant is chef Gresham Fernandes’ ode to the place where he was born and brought up, featuring a menu that serves all of Bandra’s classics, with his own twist, of course. It’s really where all the cool kids are at these days. 

Address: Rose Minar, 87, Chapel Rd, Annexe, Reclamation, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050

Timings: Monday to Sunday (12–3:30 pm, 7 pm–1 am) 

Price for two: INR 2,000

Soul Fry

Known widely across the city for their unmissable karaoke nights, Soul Fry is the best spot you can hit up after a week of hustling, working, and adulting. The interiors seem like it’s a teenager’s birthday party all year round—thanks to the colourful neon lights, balloons, music posters, an adorable karaoke set up, and bright yellow tables—but you won’t hear us complaining. This spot is every millennial’s dream, because who doesn’t love bits of harmless fun paired with yummy drinks that won’t break your bank?

From themed karaoke nights accompanied by good ol’ chilled beers to authentic Goan and coastal food, Soul Fry is a beginner’s manual on how to feel like a local in the heart of Bombay.

Must-try items include fish curry rice and Goan prawn curry, alongside their saz gin and tonic and palomas.

Address: Ground Floor, Silver Croft, Pali Mala Rd, Pali Market, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050

Timings: Monday to Sunday (12–3:30 pm, 7 pm–1 am) 

Price for two: INR 1,200

Ocho

Ocho promises the experience of a speakeasy, an American diner, and your average, go-to cocktail bar, all-in-one. The 80-seater bar looks like it’s right out of a show like The White Lotus, with its dim-lit interiors, Mayan-inspired stone-carved walls, and velvety curtains. The best part: getting to the speakeasy-cum-bar is an experience of its own (the only signage leading to the spot reads the mysterious number “8”), in an attempt to maintain exclusivity. The menu spans only 35 dishes and 13 cocktails, inspired by the 13 moons of the Mayan calendar, each described in a poetic free verse in their cocktail book. 

This spot is a modern spin on Bandra’s classic bar culture, adding to the many spots that populate the map of the area. The menu, just like its location, remains mysterious…

Address: 8th Floor, Ramee Emerald II, Linking Rd, above Nike Showroom, Vithaldas Nagar, Santacruz (West), Mumbai, Maharashtra 400054

Timings: Monday to Friday (7 pm–1:30 am) & Saturdays and Sundays  (12:30–3:30 pm, 7 pm–1 am) 

Price for two: INR 5,000

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