Bandra pubs are back

After being forced to shut shop due to complaints by locals, Bandra pubs are slowly but surely coming back where they belong

For Bandra pub hoppers, there's some good news. After being left with few options, partygoers can now rejoice as three of the locality's most sought after pubs are reopening.

The three pubs, which were forced to shut because of moral policing on the part of the Advanced Locality Management (ALMs), are reopening with a bigger bang.


Bonobo at Linking Road reopened in August after it was forced to close. The bar was allegedly shut down, as they did not have legal documents regarding traffic and parking issues. Escobar in Bandra
too was reopened some 15 days ago


Pubs such as Escobar, Bonobo at Linking Road and Royalty at Waterfield Road had to shut down after a war with residents, who complained that the nightspots create a ruckus. MiD DAY had carried a series of stories in July about the war between pubs and Bandra ALMs.

Escobar

Just 15 days back, Escobar, which owns the title of having the longest bar in India, reopened after it was forced to shut down because of increasing pressure mounted by residents. Earlier, the bar was asked to shut down because of the nuisance its revellers created and the traffic snarls.

When MiD DAY contacted the spokesperson, he confirmed that the bar had reopened recently. "The ambience of the bar will be the same as it was earlier. But the patrons will be provided with a better experience, as the bar has much more to offer. We are offering wide range of food and drinks."

Speaking about the new features, he added, "The bar has upgraded their services. There will be valet parking facility, more parking area and selective entry during weekends. Not only this, we will be equally participating in cleaning the area if needed." When asked about the music in the bar, the spokesperson refused to comment.

On probing further, MiD DAY found out that the licensing department has not issued a performance licence to the bar.

According to Vijaysingh Jadhav, DCP (HQ-1), "Escobar has not been issued any performance licence and it will operate only as a fine dining restaurant. They are not permitted to have a DJ in their premises. The licence was issued only this condition."

Bonobo

Similarly, Bonobo located at Linking Road reopened in the month of August after it was forced to close. The bar was allegedly shut down, as they did not have legal documents regarding traffic and parking issues that had recently been made a rule for mall establishments, which was one of the reasons for its closure.

Not wanting to take any chances this time around, sources said that the pub management has employed extra bouncers and valets so that there are no traffic problems and residents are not inconvenienced. However, the owner of Bonobo refused to comment on the reopening.

Royalty

Also, rumours are rife that the nightspot Royalty at Waterfield Road, owned by Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra is all set to open for a second time. The pub was forced to shut in the month of March after a late night launch party for IPL cricketers at the club created a nuisance in the area forcing the residents of neighbouring buildings to file a complaint with the local police.

ALMs unmoved

On the other hand, the news of these pubs reopening has not brought a smile on everyone's faces. Recently, the ALMs have once again written a letter to Home Minister R R Patil seeking his intervention in the same, as the residents fear that the reopening of the pub will create nuisance in the area.

Residents and members of the ALMs are wary of the clubs reopening and remain of the opinion that these hotspots should be moved away from residential areas. Speaking to MiD DAY Anandini A Thakoor, chairperson H-West Ward Citizens Trust said, "Though they take enough measures to prevent nuisance in the area, we are dead sure that they will not be able to maintain decorum in the area.

Sooner or later, the pubs will definitely create a problem for the residents. Pubs continue to give us sleepless nights; we have no peace of mind. Most of these joints do not have parking space because of which revellers park outside residential complexes. Once the party is over they spill onto the streets, yelling and honking in the wee hours. We are not against the pub culture all we want is that they should shift to a commercial area."

Measures to avoid complaints

Parking placeu00a0
Valet parkingu00a0
Security guardsu00a0
Sound proofingu00a0
Selective entry in the pub

Mirchi reopens

Restaurant Mirchi in Ramee Guestline also started its second innings. Mirchi shut down after seven-year-old Aditya Dube died after falling from the sixth floor of the hotel.

Dube had gone to the hotel with his parents and their friends for dinner. The family was dining on the sixth floor restaurant Mirchi, while Aditya was playing with other kids.

By mistake he stepped on an acrylic sheet that was covering a gap, which caved in, sending Aditya falling six flights down.

Voices

We welcome the pubs in Bandra again. We are tired of these old pubs and we want more. After long working hours, we need a place to relax ufffd .
Alisha Fernandes, an Escobar regular, who visited Hawaiian Shack and Firangi Paani all this time.

I am tired of these petty fights. Why can't the residents come out with a solution? Can they show us a place where there are no commercial activities taking place. They should appoint a youth in their association and then they will understand why pubs should not be shut.u00a0
Neelam Rane, who frequently visited Bonobo and Escobar. Having no option she started frequenting clubs in the Andheri area.

Authorities speak
Manik Kshirsagar, assistant municipal commissioner, u00a0H-West ward refused to comment stating he is on leave. K M M Prasanna, DCP (Zone IX) said, "We have not given them the permission as we have clearly mentioned 'not recommended' but it maybe the DCP-HQ who has permitted the same."

Did you know?
In Beijing, if a restaurant is located near a residential area (within 50 meters), the owners need to seek approval from the residents.