Best Lounges and Bars.

Ben Franklin once said, "There cannot be good living, if there is not good drinking"! So here's a primer to 'good living' when in Pune. The list below is my selection of the best bars and lounges in Pune. To relax with a caipiroska in hand after a long day, for a casual evening with that special person, or for some quality time with buddies over drinks and music.

1000 Oaks: The grand-daddy of them all, and still going strong! A hit with both the old-timers and the young, this place is usually crowded and full of cigarette smoke. However, 10K Oaks has great DJs, good bar-food to accompany your drinks, and an old-world British pub ambiance. After your drinks, you could move outdoors for al-fresco dining, away from the smoke and loud music. They mostly play Rock from the 70s and 80s, but some House too on selected days.

Kiva: The original, smaller one is located in Ashok Nagar on Range Hills Road and is popular with the college crowd. The new, larger one is located in Lane 6, Koregaon Park. Large and tastefully decorated interiors, excellent ambiance, great music and a dance floor make this among the best places for an evening; Kiva gets enough people even on Monday evening, when most other lounges are either closed or deserted. Both the drinks and food menu have a large variety of options. Try some shots first: I recommend the Death Wish. The food here is excellent too; options include continental, oriental and Indian items that come plated. Ph: 2553-8339, 3052-0987

La Dolce Vita (Blue Fire): The new entrant in town, Blue Fire is located in City Point, Dhole Patil Road (beside Bombay Brasserie restaurant). Blue Fire has contemporary chic interiors and a large projection screen which makes this a great choice during Cricket matches. They also have a choice of indoor and outdoor lounge seating. As for food, I can recommend the Tandoor Lobster and Chicken in Pepper Sauce. Among cocktails, try their signature Blue Fire cocktail, if you are looking for something strong.

11 East Street Cafe: Another new entrant that is current very popular but expensive. This cafe has creative interiors that try to replicate a London street including a double-decker bus at the entrance, street lamps, window displays, the works! There is even a hookah lounge upstairs. Appetizers include Cheese jalapeno balls with beer sauce, Banger and Mash, and English Ratatouille. You can try their Cardinal Punch or the many other interesting cocktails. For desserts, try their Bailey's Mousse or Green Apple Cheesecake. Ph: 2633-3711

Flags: With contemporary decor and some innovative cocktails, Flags is primarily known for its multi-cuisine food. It boasts of one of the longest menus and includes food from most regions of the world. However, I like this place for it's cocktails too ( I recommend the Caribbean Storm) especially so if you have come out of the INOX cineplex next door after watching a movie. Note that this place is a little expensive. Ph: 2614-1617

Mauve: Adil Poonawala's new, upscale Japanese resto-lounge-bar is located where Athena once was in Lane 5, Koregaon Park. Haven't tried this place yet, but it's making a buzz right now. Ph: 98927-10175.

Not Just Jazz by the Bay: This place has a lively ambiance especially during Karoke nights or weekends when musicians and stand-up comedians from outside Pune come in to entertain. Great cocktails, multi-cuisine food, and a wonderful ambiance make this a welcome choice for a couple of drinks during the evening. Not Just Jazz is located within the ESquare cineplex on University Road. Ph: 6604-4200

Hard Rock Cafe: Just opened where River View restaurant used to be. Ahead of ABC Farms on North Main Road. I expect to see better live bands, American starters, and an upscale ambiance when HRC finally opens (currently scheduled for April 18th).

Zaha: At Viva Inn, NDA Road, Chandi Chowk, this is a popular haunt for the college crowd wanting to let their hair down during weekends and Wednesday evenings. Decorated in white, Zaha is popular for its thematic days such as Retro on Wed, Bollywood Nites, etc. Zaha is closed on Mondays. Another one by Tehseen Poonawala, whose nightspots keeping popping up and closing down every few months (he's the one who setup the once popular nightspots Lush, Area 51, and Palazzo). Ph: 2295-2839.

TC's: Located in Millenium Plaza, FC Road, this multi-cuisine resto-lounge has a chic, modern decor that is attractive and has an extensive cocktail and food menu to please most. You can even order flavored teas, gourmet coffee, creamy shakes, or flavored hookas. Try the Chimichangas here with your choice of drinks.

Vie Lounge: This lounge is located in Koregaon Park, close to Blue Diamond hotel, in the same road as Mocha. They began about six months back with a lot of fanfare with all the rich and beautiful people wanting to be seen here initially. The decor and crowd is upscale and perfect for a special night. However, please note that they are still trying to get into their groove in Pune. I understand they have recently slashed their prices, but the service and food is inconsistent, particulally galling as their prices are high.

SoHo: Curently in vogue with the younger crowd, Soho can get very crowded during weekends and on most other days too. Soho is located in Kalyani Nagar on the opposite side of the same road as Lifestyle. Soho has a cover charge during weekends and special nights. They have ample indoor and outdoor seating. The indoor turns into a crowded dance floor on weekends. There isn't much to write about their decor, but this is the place to be if you like an younger crowd and the food/drinks are very affordable. Ph: 2668-1987

Bar Asia: Located one level above the street opposite Pune Club and co-located with Nawab Indian restaurant. This bar is small, has lounge seating, and modest prices. With live music on some days, intresting (and very spicy!) oriental and Indian starters, Bar Asia is a good option if you are in the vicinity of Blue Nile and shopping at the mall nearby. Ph: 6520-2475

The Ship: Designed to resemble a dining room aboard a yatch, The Ship boasts of a well-stocked Sports Bar and plated multi-cuisine food. Frequented by visiting foreigners as well as Indians, this is another place to consider if you are in Kalyani Nagar. The Ship is located one level above street in the Fortelezza Shopping Complex opposite the AMC Gold Labs CinePlex. This place is too quiet for the younger clientele which is why the older ones prefer it!

ZK's: Owned by Indian cricketer Zaheer Khan, from where this resto-bar gets its name, ZK's has a seperate lounge area on the 2nd floor done up in modern chic. Lots of glass, vibrant colors and mood lighting make this the perfect choice if you are in the Kondhwa area of Pune. A variety of Indian and Continental food options accompany a decent drinks menu. Ph: 2683-2366

Indyaki: Recently reonvated, this restaurant-lounge plays House and Trance most often. The lounge is indoors, while the restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating options and serves pretty good Indian food. The owners also run the popular Koregoan Park restaurant, Arthur's Theme. The chief grouse I have is that children from the restaurant section aren't kept out of the lounge area.

Curve: Located in ABC Farms on North Main Road, Curve is located on two levels. Curve used to be popular some time back and still has a good atmosphere during weekends. With an eclectic selection of food that includes some great thin-crust pizza, Italian entrees and some mean cocktails, this is another place to choose from if you are in the Koregaon Park area. Ph:6400-0410

Shisha Cafe: Amidst green trees, Persian carpets, hookahs and live musicians, this one is a rather unique experience. However, the food is it's weak point. I haven't found anything on the menu that I have really liked, but Shisha makes up with its live music, deewans to sit on, and hookahs. Ph: 6520-0390

ONE (High Spirits): Live Retro on Wed nights, but you will many times find it closed for private parties. Affordable liquor which is why they are popular for a certain section of the younger crowd. Ambiance not great but food is ok. Stick to whiskeys, rum and vodka; their cocktails aren't the best.. Ph: 93710-06430



KFY Lounge: A lounge in intimate settings based in Koregaon Park which provides a Goan touch with its authentic food and Feni. Retro music on weekends. Located at 235-5 Popular Heights Road, Koregaon Park. Ph: 40024425. Finally, there are the bars at the 5 star hotels which are good too, though frequently only by businessmen. Entresol Bar at the Meridien with its live band, 262 Lounge at the Sun and Sand that serves some great kababs, and Casabella, the Anglo-Saxon pool-side bar at the Taj Blue Diamond are great choices in this category.

As you can see, there are now (finally!) enough options in Pune to liven up your evenings. Cheers!

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