Mumbai will remarry the 50’s with Bandra Hideout – the city’s first travelling speakeasy concept bar that will change character year after year

Bandra has had its fair share of clandestine bar loves. We aim to be it's regular.

Come home to Bandra Hideout (BH), Mumbai’s first Bandra themed, a no-frills speakeasy that serves as a travelling circus of bar space for inspired speakeasy concepts from across the globe, etched with memories of when prohibition made our lives and our drinks hard. Here the speakeasy concept changes once every year, with a new ethnicity and character to match.

Bandra Hideout’s debut will place ‘Bombay’ as centerstage as circa 2019 will see the advent of ‘The Aunty Bar’ – a dedication to India’s very own speakeasy contribution to the world.

History regales single- roomed apartments owned by aunties that would provide alcohol to those yearning for a sip, amidst the constant police raids plaguing Mumbai city for illicit alcohol in the ‘50s and ‘60s. “These were places where memories were often made by a peek-a-boo behind a curtain where an aunty serving you a patiala whilst she listened to your day and helped ease your pain with a tipple. Having researched stories of this era, we wanted to keep Bandra Hideout as nostalgic and humble as the old school Bandra speakeasy aka ‘Aunty Bar’ - no fuss, no thematic adulteration. Simply neighborhood. However this time, unprohibited,” mentions Jeet Palan, Partner at Bandra Hideout.

A threesome of food, service and good old spirit for the company, Bandra Hideout’s bibulous signature prohibition drinks incorporate some yesteryear humor – they are served in hipflasks and named after Bandra aunties and their colloquialism. Dive into Aunt’s Double Dose, Mari Aunty’s Kettle, Whisky Samba, Gilbert Special and (the) Bandra Lady as some of the favorites here.

Curated concoctions celebrate date nights here every evening, as boozy bites serve as their perfect partner this season. These include Garlic Milano Prawns, Chicken Satays, Black Pepper Chicken, Hob Custard Basa and many more.

Unlike the modern adaptation of today, Bandra Hideout traces its interior roots to an old Dsouza house which it came across in its research – undistinguishable from any other building near it, with a secret of its own. BH has no frills either but is packed with the same warmth as that home, with yellow, white and black lining a wall design across a yellow and mirror themed bar and above everything else, a lucidity to match.

“We aim to be the rescue for all those office goers who want to let loose with some booze & quick bites after the prohibition like feeling evoked by their offices or bosses,” jokes & Kirti Gajra, Partner, Bandra Hideout as he adds, “we want to be a place which you trust to serve you good quality food and beverage, so that you raise a lot more spirit *hic* than you would typically imagine.”

After walking through the bylanes of Mumbai, Bandra Hideout will crowdsource where patrons wish to seek a speakeasy inspiration from next – suggestions anyone?

The Bandra Hideout opens tomorrow.

Address: 692, Khar Pali Rd, Khar West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400052

Timing: 12 noon to midnight

Contact: +91 99304 56575

Social Media: @bandrahideout