MISCELLANEOUS, Mumbai

Sitting at Chowpatty beach, full of vendors, masseurs with a rag wrapped under their arm and offering their skillfulness, and roadside restaurants with its specialties like kulfi, the Indian iceream which Aadil and I are eating, mine served also with sweet vermicelli.

Colaba Causeway, at the beginning, near Regal Cinema.

This old cafe is a classicamong travellers of all ages and nationalities. A bit expensive for indian standards, but a good place to meet foreigners.

In Mumbai I saw my first Bollywood movie, and it was absolutely fabulous! We bought tickets for the balcony, and sat on the first row, which turned out to be a perfect spot. The movietheater was totaly filled up, as we would have expected judging from the long line outside the theater. Every movie seems to be sold out, there are always long lines to wait in.

Lagaan turned out to be an excellent choice. We didn't know then that it would be recognized with an Oscar for best foreign film. Going to a Bollywood movie is going to a film, a dance performance and a concert all at the same time. Beautiful colors and dances. Ofcourse there is no way we can understand Hindi, but it doesn't matter, because you still have the 'experience' of the film. I would recommend going to see one for yourself. Prepare for a long sit though, since these movies approx. last three hours.

You enter to the sweet fruity scent of burning hookahs. Koyla which means "coal" in the native language is a open air terrace restaurant over looking the bombay colaba skyline and the arabian sea. The decor is appropriate to the ambience and is very rustic in its appeal. The tables are cabbana-ish with a thatched roof for cover. There are three choices for your seating perference sunken seating, charpoy (traditional) seats and long bench seating.
The floor is covered with gravel and there is a fountain adorning the center of the terrace. The lighting is dim and soothing. The terrace is spacious and ideal for parties.
Though alcohol is not available at the restaurant you may bring your own. They have a corkage charge per bottle and will provide the mixers and staff for bar tending and serving.

Dress Code: Dress tendy as most of the patrons are making a night of it and tend to dress the part. It is very close to athena and some other south bombay night clubs hence a popular destination for dinner before a night out on the town.

The City That Never Sleeps
Mumbai never sleeps. No matter what time of night you venture out, there are bound to be other's going about some business or other. The city has always led the nightlife scene in India and there are bars and clubs to suit every taste; jazz dens compete with Salsa, Tabla dance fusions and Funk.

Mumbai 's alternative but decidedly yuppie crowd meets at the Ghetto Bar before heading down to the gay, glitzy or groovy clubs around Colaba and Juhu.

The Night life in Baombay is quite active, infact that is why it is said that the city never sleeps. There is a concentration of Discotheques, Pubs & bars in South Bombay and many others scattered among north & central suburban areas.

Colaba has some shopping and eateries for some interesting dinner options. The commercial district closes around 6, so there are no office executives fighting for space.