At the last event that Natacha de Sá hosted at Lower Parel resto bar KOKO, a crowd queued up outside to gain access to the Sex and the City-themed night, but had to turn back. “I don’t like that. When it’s too crowded, you can’t have fun. You have to wait for your drinks, there are too many people around you, and service drops. A good party has just the right number of people,” she says.  Originally from Colombia, de Sá has been a Mumbai resident since 2008 when she first helped launch gourmet ice cream parlour chain Amore Gelato. These days, she is part of a growing tribe of “vibe-makers”, or party hosts, that Mumbai’s nightlife scene is relying on to get its pre-pandemic mojo back.

De Sá’s acumen lies in drawing up a guest list made up of the new swish set and pretty people, including models, actors, influencers, musicians, and socialites. They hang and promote the venue among their followers. Those around them pay to join, enjoying the drinks, eats, music and the chance to hobnob with well-known faces.