An outsider would probably smirk if he hears you say our city never sleeps, but we have reasons enough to live it up and how

Anybody who's been to the City Bar at the UB City Mall will have a fair idea about how the city can party non-stop from 11 am to 11 pm. If an international edgy look, an all-day global food menu, a private karaoke, several large flat screens and gaming rooms are not reason aplenty to add to the city's party scene, here's more. The City Bar's open design plan which gives it a roomy air, as the calming breeze ruffles my hair as I take a peek at the expansive alfresco view of the skyscrapers and the amphitheatre on my left.


City bar

Mix me happy
Pick a stool by the bar or get cozy on one of the comfy purple lounge sofas. I chose the focal point and soaked in the frenzy of this luxe mall on a cheerful weekend and called in for my tipple. I fancied a Blueberry Mojito (R 400), a new cocktail on the menu, which was stirred to perfection and contained white rum, blueberry and syrup perked up by lime, mint and soda. The tangy fizz of the drink was right for my early evening rendezvous. There's also Chocotini and Appletini on the menu, besides some new cocktails Harry's Daiquiri, St Tropez Smash and Razzmopolitan.

Haute shot
Looking around I knew that this chic bar already has its share of regulars, what with the World Cup and Formula One past us, when every soccer and F1 lover went berserk to catch up on the sport at this watering hole in town. This is the place you either want to be seen at or could easily spot a couple of the city's known faces. I was told Sidharth Mallya always books the table I was seated at and once he had his beau Deepika for company too, besides his usual set of four boys and his favourite beer.

All day knick-knacks
Now with the party season kicking in, the bar has an updated menu. A few world wines that are added include the Borebore Malbec from Argentina, Sol de Chile and Nederburg Pinotage from South Africa. I tried the Hardys red (Rs 520) which paired well with the Shawarma Lamb Hummus (Rs 220). The grilled lamb Shawarma that came cut in two halves,u00a0 was quite a mouthful and wasu00a0 topped with a dollop of hummus.

The menu has a fair share of Indian, Lebanese and Continental fare. Like something light or vegetarian? Try the Dhingri Galouti (R 150), served as four mushroom p ufffdt ufffd on tiny ulta tawa paranthas that melt in your mouth. Skipping the Sandwich, Burger and Pasta this time, I forked into some British Fish and Chips (Rs 300). Why British, you wonder? Well, that's because it's cooked the traditional British pub fare, where the fish is fried with a beer batter making it crispy and tender on the bite.

Don't dessert these sweet somethings
I picked the Poire William Merlot (Rs 200) for my dessert, which came in the form of red wine poached pears served with cr me fraiche. The pears were light and left a sweetish note on the palate.
And yes, I did drive back tipsy and sated.

At: City Bar, UB City, 202, Second Floor, Concord Block, 24, Vittal Mallya Road
Call: 4277 3636
Meal and drinks for two: Rs 1,200.