Sports Bar, the newly opened bar at Le Meridian isn't for beer and memorabilia and keeps to couches and cocktails instead
Sports Bar, the newly opened bar at Le Meridian isn't for beer and memorabilia and keeps to couches and cocktails instead
One of the first things that will strike you at this otherwise swanky new Sports Bar is the fact that there is barely anything sporty about it. 
Besides the large LCD screens that played a cricket match on the day we stopped by and silhouettes of sportsmen on one of the walls, there wasn't much to remind us of the theme. The interiors are plush to the say least, and the seating the kind you'd like to sink into while watching a game. 
Grilled achari chicken supreme
Wooden floors and seating themed to the black and red combination give it the much deserving contemporary look. The options are limited, you can pick from the couches or the bar stools.
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There aren't any chairs and that, we thought, wasn't a bad thing. It's a good idea to sit at the bar, but the couches are more tempting (they actually rock).
Also, since the bar launched not more than a week ago, the place was sparsely occupied and almost felt like being seated in a rather comfortable living room. The place is a tad too brightly lit for a bar and we'd have preferred fewer white lights.
The black leather bound beverage menu is reassuring. Some of the cocktails have sport-inspired names. Wasting no time, we ordered a Square Cut (Rsu00a0 425) and Pitched Up (Rs 425).
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The Square Cut was a regular vodka based affair with a combination of mango, litchi and cranberry juice. Fruity, sweet, refreshing and seamlessly spiked, it tasted like a pleasant start to the evening.
The whiskey based Pitched Up, on the other hand, came with a combination of Peach Schnapps, apple juice and a generous dose of lime. It was slightly sour, tingling and heavily spiked, making the whiskey drinker amongst us rather content.
Grilled achari chicken supreme (Rs 430) and Sunehari Khasta (Rsu00a0360) came as accompaniments. The Sunehari khasta was a combination of vegetables and cheese, crispy fried in the form of spring rolls and looked golden indeed.
The Achari chicken won us over. Tender char grilled pieces of chicken dunked in pickle marinade were served on wooden skewers. They melted in the mouth just like they should and paired well with the mint chutney that came alongside.
We ordered Ani "s" Revenge (Rs 425) after being told the cocktail called Indian Origin with vodka and curry leave wasn't available at that time. Looking back, we have no regrets. This was a spicy cocktail and came garnished with a green chili atop a broad cocktail glass.
With a base of pineapple juice, the cocktail was flavoured with the use of coriander, green chilies and sweet and sour mix. Spiked with star anise vodka, this was a heady combination- sweet, spicy and mildly sour at the same time. We were impressed with how gently the drink had managed to woo us onto the other side of
sobriety.
Besides cocktails and a rather extensive appetisers menu, the bar also offers regular pub grub, American diner style. You can choose from burgers, sandwiches and make your own pizza too. We weren't up for a full meal that day and opted for the American Platter instead (Rs 480).
This plated meal came with a mini chicken burger, a mini hot dog and a bite-sized pizza. Initially impressed with the idea of the combo meal, our spirits were soon dampened.
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The meal wasn't much to write home about. It is solely for the cocktails and the rocking couches that Sports Bar has made its way into our list of personal favourites. And if you're feeling sporty and adventurousu00a0 on your evening out, try the Couple Body Shots (Rsu00a0 425) and Choco shots (Rs 750).
Where Sports Bar, Le Meridian, 28, Sankey Road
Call 22262233
Meal for two Rs 2,500
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