[This article was originally published in May 2016 by the lovely folk at Gaysi Family]
As 2016 draws to an end, the only thing couples are looking to do is get a drink, some good food and bring in the new year with a bang. However, in a needlessly regressive move bars, clubs and restaurants in both Mumbai and Delhi are barring entry to the city’s gay couples on new years eve. Some claim this move was a precautionary measure for their female guests — to ensure that men posing as a couple couldn’t gain entry and cause trouble — but some are blatantly homophobic in their approach. Mumbai is known to be India’s most accepting and LGBT-friendly city so this news came as a disheartening blow to end the year. But never fear, there are still plenty of places that live up to our expectations. Here are some of the best places to celebrate the 31st in the spirit of love, rounded up by the incomparable folks at the Gaysi Family.
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Have a date this weekend? Wondering what would be a cool and comfortable place to take them? Or are you looking for a place to just cackle with your queens over some food and drinks? Well, we have made a list of places for you! Why these places you ask? Well, some of them have been welcoming to the LGBT community for years, some have just become our local hangouts and through experience with the staff and management, we know that you will not face any discomfort. Make it a point to support these queer friendly spaces!
This is by no means a complete and exhaustive list, and if you feel like we have left some place out, please let us know! After all, we are trying to make this a gay friendly world.
South Bombay (Colaba to Worli)
I. Woodside Inn Colaba
Gaysi recommends: Potato Skins with Wasabi Mayo; Pizza Margarita (they make it with a special garlic kick!); Make sure you try the micro brews on tap.
Address: Wodehouse Road, Opposite Regal Cinema, Colaba.
Cost: INR 2,000 for two people
II. Cafe Mondegar
Gaysi recommends: Pollo Alla Pepe; Spaghetti Napolitan
Address: 5A, Metro House, Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, Near Regal Cinema, Colaba
Cost: INR 1,300 for two people
Special Note - Jukebox Alert!
III. The Ghetto
Gaysi recommends: Good old Chilly Cheese Toast with a side of Old Monk and Coke.
Address: 30B, Bhulabhai Desai Marg, Breach Candy, Mahalaxmi Temple, Opp Tirupati Apartments.
Cost: INR 1,200 for two people
Special Note - One of the last remaining bars with a pool table
IV. Café Ideal
Gaysi recommends: Eggs Akoori; Veg Pakoda; Paneer Chilly
Address: 5, Fulchand Nivas, Chowpatty.
Cost: INR 600 for two people
Special Note - Jukebox alert!
Lower Parel
V. Barking Deer Brewpub
Gaysi recommends: Bark IPA; Butter Garlic Drunken Prawns; Crumb Fried Button Mushroom.
Address: Mathuradas Mill Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Todi Mills.
Cost: INR 1,500 for two people
Special Note - Seasonal brews; Stand up comedy nights
VI. Café Zoe
Gaysi recommends: Truffle Capellini; Prawn & Calamari Ajillo; French Fries (they really take them seriously); Watermelon Mojito.
Address: Mathuradas Mill Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Todi Mills.
Cost: INR 1,200 for two people
Special Note - Live music gigs
VII. The White Owl
Gaysi recommends: Diablo beer; Smoken Onion & Green Onion Flatbread; Portobello Mushroom Melt.
Address: Lobby, Tower 2 B, One Indiabulls Center, Senapati Bapat Marg.
Cost: INR 2,000 for two people
Bandra
VIII. Bonobo
Gaysi recommends: BBQ Bacon Cheese Fries; Harissa Chicken Skewers; Bonobap
Address: 2nd Floor, Kenilworth Mall, Linking Road, Bandra West
Cost: Rs. 1,800 for two people
Special Note - Live music venue
IX. Doolally Taproom
Gaysi recommends: House Fries; Blondue; Fish Tenga; India Pale Ale
Address: Shop No. 5/6, Geleki, ONGC Colony,Reclamation,
Cost: INR 1,800 for two people
Special Note - Pet friendly!
X. Monkey Bar
Gaysi recommends: Monkey Says, “Cheese”; Mrs. Yvonne Pinto’s Masala Pickle Prawn; Peppered Calamari
Address: Summerville, Junction of 14th & 33rd Road, Linking Road
Cost: Rs. 1,800 for two people
XI. Soul Fry
Gaysi recommends: Prawn Recheid; Tamrind Prawns; Teesra Sukha Masala
Address: Pali Mala Road, Opposite Pali Vegetable Market, Pali Hill
Cost: INR 1,000 for two people
Khar/SantaCruz
XII. Three Wise Men
Gaysi recommends: The Mexican Bowl; Camembert Rings; Pizzas
Address: Sujata Rajpipla Building, Opposite Santacruz Police Station, Next To Talwarkar Gym
Cost: INR 1,500 for two people
Special Note - Monday night karaoke; Thursday night hindi karaoke
XIII. Hoppipola
Gaysi recommends: Watermelon Mojito; Chiseled Prawns; Beet The Hummus; Spank The Cock
Address: 757, Ramee Guestline Hotel, MD Ali Quereshi Chowk, S.V. Road
Cost: INR 1,500 for two people
XVI. The Den
Gaysi recommends: Jalapeno Poppers; Bacon Wrapped Grilled Prawns; Stirred Prawns & Calamari
Address: Ground Floor, Prabhat Kunj, 24th Road, Khar West
Cost: INR 1,500 for two people
Special Note - Tuesday Night Karaoke
XV. Quarter Pillar
Gaysi recommends: Cheese Garlic Naan; Roozali Kebab
Address: The Unicontinental, 3rd Road, Off S.V Road, Khar
Cost: INR 1,200 for two people
Juhu/Versova
XVI. Jamjar Diner
Gaysi recommends: Pancakes; Quesasillas; Chicken Tacos; Burgers
Address: 7A & B, Arram Nagar 2, Behind Washing Bay, Yari Road, Versova
Cost: INR 1,500 for two people
Andheri West
XVII. The Little Door
Gaysi recommends: Baby Bravas; TLD Tlata; Li’l Baconings; Fire Starter Prawns
Address: B 31, Ground Floor, Shree Siddhivinayak Plaza, New Link Road,Andheri Lokhandwala
Cost: INR 1,400 for two people
XVIII. La Patio
Gaysi recommends: Pyramid of Wild Mushrooms; Stuffed Squid with Prawns; Slow Cooked Lemon Chicken
Address: 8th Floor, Morya Landmark 2, Opposite Infiniti Mall, Off New Link Road, Andheri Lokhandwala
Cost: INR 1,500 for two people
XIX. Woodside Inn Andheri
Gaysi recommends: Potato Skins with Wasabi Mayo; Pizza Margarita (they make it with a special garlic kick!); Make sure you try the micro brews on tap.
Address: Wodehouse Road, Opposite Regal Cinema, Colaba.
Cost: INR 2,000 for two people
Special Note - Lovely outdoor section. Check out their annual Beer & Burger festival coming up in July.
XX. Doolally Taproom
Gaysi recommends: House Fries; Blondue; Fish Tenga; India Pale Ale
Address: C18-21, Dalia Industrial Estate,Near Fun Republic, Off New Link Road
Cost: INR 1,800 for two people
Special Note - Pet Friendly
Chembur/Ghatkopar
XX. The United Sports Bar & Grill
Gaysi recommends: Khao Suey; Herb Tossed Gnocchi; Char Grilled Tiger Prawn
Address: Ground Floor, R City Mall, LBS Marg, Ghatkopar West
Cost: INR 1,600 for two people
XXI. Abhinandan
Gaysi recommends: Murgh Nizami Kebab; Prawns Koliwada; Andra Style Aloo
Address:LBS Marg, Next to Damodar Park, Ghatkopar West
Cost: INR 1,000 for two people
Powai
XXII. Jughead’s
Gaysi recommends: Black Pepper Exotica; Sizzlers;; Jughead’s Roast Chicken
Address: Jheel Darshan, Opposite Powai Lake
Cost: INR1,600 for two people
XXIII. Chillis
Gaysi recommends: Texas Cheese Poppers; Boneless Chicken Wings; Terlingua Chili; Vegetarian Fajitas
Address: 13, Ventura Building, Hiranandani Business Park, Central Avenue Road, Powai
Cost: INR 1,800 for two people
Images via Gaysi Family
Feature image photographed by Anurag Bannerjee via Hindustan Times