3 memorable Mumbai lounge bars

Here are three of our favorite Mumbai lounge bars.

1. Wink

Very chic, very modern, very la la la. At, Wink it seems every drink's on the menu with some 30 different vodkas, 43 single malts and over 160 wine labels to choose from. And it’s not just the bartenders who show five star hotel sophistication (the bar is in the Taj President hotel). The DJs too play well and they know it. Even the table snacks seem to have an air about them -- those wasabi coated peas somehow taste more refined. Friday nights get the most play at Wink.

Taj President Hotel, 90 Cuffe Parade, +91 (0) 22 6665 0808
Wink website

2. Dome

After work martini, sexy date or drinks with the girls or lads -- either way it’s always difficult to get a white cushion seat at the open-air rooftop lounge bar atop the Intercontinental Hotel on Marine Drive if you arrive unannounced. Even though it feels like no one books in advance for bars anymore, at Dome you don’t want to be disappointed. You won't want to leave that amazing sea view or their cold Long Island Iced Tea -- so large they do a two for one if you ask.

Intercontinental Marine Drive, 135 Netaji Subhash Road, Marine Drive, +91 (0) 22 3987 9999
Dome at the Intercontinental

3. Shiro

Walk in here and you want to play. It’s so big, the ceilings are so high and the music so loud. But unfortunately it’s not a club. It’s a lounge bar, which makes it a bit confusing initially but there you have it. Shiro is firmly in the mould of Buddha Bar -- a bit obvious given all the Buddha statues and décor -- but in our opinion they pushed chic a bit too far by refusing to serve Indian liquor. Since when did cool mean “only imported?" Despite that, we still rate it. Check out a video tour of this Mumbai lounge bar here.

Bombay Dyeing Mills Compound, Pandurang Budhkar Marg, Worli, +91 (0) 22 6615 5980
Shiro website