No one does nightlife better than Mumbai. Maybe it’s the traffic that keeps the city ever alive or the fact that no one in this city has ever really learned how to call it a day. Keeping up with the spirit, the bar scene in the City of Dreams is shifting. It isn’t anymore about shiny new rooftops or over-designed cocktail labs but about going back to where it all began.
Enter: the OG bars. We’ve all seen those “rare aesthetic” videos of remembering and reminiscing long nights spent at Yacht or Old Street, sipping vodka sodas and munching on schezwan chakli. It’s as Bombay an experience as it gets, complete with dingily lit tables, booth-style seating, less-than-fancy glassware, drinks that never burn a hole in the pocket, and a playlist that hasn’t moved past the 90s and early 2000s (and honestly, shouldn’t). Once dismissed as shady or “too old school,” these spots are now THE place to be, thanks to Gen Z’s love for all-things-retro and Y2K. Grainy flash photos, delicious drinks, a no-frills menu, and unfiltered energy—that’s just the vibe everyone’s chasing in the city these days.
It’s part nostalgia, part rebellion. In a world of ₹2,500 cocktails and hyper-curated experiences, there’s something pleasantly refreshing about spaces that don’t care to impress you. Spaces that have stood the test of time, spaces that have generations of stories attached to them, spaces that are unpretentious in every sense of the word. In a time where we’re constantly chasing perfection, it’s the lack of it in places like this that makes them just so easy to be at.
So, if you’ve been craving a night out that reminds you of the Mumbai we all know and love, these are the OG bars that deserve a spot on your list. And the bonus? Your wallet won’t hate you for it!
Yacht Resto Bar
Tucked into the bylanes of Bandra, Yacht Resto Bar is the kind of place that feels like it’s been frozen in time—in the best way possible. Over 60 years old, and often credited as Bandra’s first resto-bar, Yacht has quite literally watched the neighbourhood transform around it, while holding on to what gives it its old-school charm. Step inside and you’ll find exactly what you came for: dim lighting, worn-in seating, and the same people who’ve been coming here for decades. However, ever since this rare aesthetic became popular, you’ll be lucky enough to even enter, let alone get a table at Yacht—so, may the table gods be with you!
On the menu, think classic bar bites done right—crispy chicken lollipop, chilli chicken, and peppery paneer that pair perfectly with their strong, no-nonsense cocktails. Their butter garlic prawns are a crowd favourite, especially if you’re in the mood for some seafood, while the egg bhurji and roti combo is a classic that hits differently after you’re down a couple of drinks. It’s the kind of food that doesn’t try to reinvent or experiment with anything, and that’s exactly why it’s still a favourite.
On the drinks front, there’s beer pitchers, affordable IMFL pours, and straightforward cocktails that do the job without trying to be clever—this is not the place for experimental mixology, and thank god for that. Order a chilled beer or a classic rum and Coke, settle into your seat, and let the night do its thing.
Address: 29, Hill Rd, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
Timings: Monday to Sunday (11:30 am–12:30 am), open till 1 AM on Sundays
Price for two: INR 1,100
Toto’s Garage
If a spot with an old Volkswagen Beetle hanging bang in the middle of the bar has been doing the rounds on your social media feeds, this is the one. To me, if there’s one place that perfectly captures Bandra’s carefree nightlife energy, it’s Toto’s Garage. Equal parts dive bar and cult favourite, this decades-old spot is instantly recognisable thanks to its quirky, almost kitschy décor—with helmets, car parts doubling up as furniture, velvety red lighting, and an overall vibe that feels like a garage party that never really ended. It’s loud, it’s crowded, and on most nights, it’s exactly where you want to be. Bonus: they solely play rock music, no matter the day or time.
They do comfort food best, and the chilli chicken and chicken lollipop are staples, while their nachos, cheese-chilli toast, and cheese-loaded fries are perfect finger foods with drinks. Their signature cocktails, especially the Toto’s LIIT, have a reputation for being dangerously strong, while beer buckets and neat spirits are also great. My personal favourite here is your choice of liquor with their orange or cranberry juice—a classic for a reason.
First established in 1992, the bartenders at Toto’s know their regulars like old friends, the crowd is unpretentious, and the beer taps flow faster than you can yell for the waiter to bring another round. It’s loud, retro, and quintessentially Bombay, all-in-one.
Address: 7/8, Lourdes Haven, Pali Junction, 30th Rd, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
Timings: Monday to Saturday ( 5 pm–12:45 am), Sundays (12 pm–12:45 am)
Price for two: INR 1,100
Old Street Cafe & Bar
Located in the heart of Ranwar Village, Old Street Café & Bar is a Bandra favourite that’s been around since before dive bars became trendy in Mumbai. The place has several levels, with indoor dining, an outdoor courtyard, and a lively area with loud music. It’s the kind of spot where you might go for just one drink and end up staying all night. On weekends, though, be prepared to wait a long time or compete for a table.
The menu is huge and focuses on tasty Indian and continental comfort food. The butter garlic naans and paneer butter masala are especially good, while the pasta and chakli schezwan are great if you want something less messy. Classic bar snacks like chilli chicken, crispy corn, and garlic bread are perfect for pairing with your drinks.
Speaking of drinks, Old Street has an excellent selection of cocktails. Some of my personal favourites include the pornstar martini, the paloma, and the cosmopolitan. With pop-art-like graffiti right at the entrance, it’s the perfect, most reliable stop on any bar-hopping night.
Address: No. 95, Fernandes Villa, Hill Rd, near St Andrew’s Church, Ranwar, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
Timings: Monday to Friday (5 pm–1 am), Saturdays (2 pm–1 am), Sundays (12 pm–1 am)
Price for two: INR 2,500
Soul Fry
If your ideal night out includes some soulful karaoke (pun intended), classic Goan favourites, and an atmosphere straight out of your early 2010s birthday parties, then Soul Fry in Bandra West is THE place to be. Known for iconic karaoke nights since 1999—on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays—this place draws a crowd from all across the city, bound together by their love for singing: be it Billy Joel classics, catchy rock anthems, and everything in between.
Think Goa-meets-Mumbai at its best, and that’s what Soul Fry is, in three words. Complete with fairy lights, they’re known to keep the good times rolling late into the night, by the end of which, everyone at the bar is probably best friends with each other. Because, really, this is a crowd-cheers-you-on kind of place where everyone gets a turn, shares laughs (and a few selfies).
Soul Fry is best known for its Goan and East Indian coastal flavours: think fish curry rice, Goan prawn curry, chicken cafreal, crab xec xec, and bombil fry, that pairs perfectly with a cold beer or cider (before or after your karaoke set). The bombil fry, rice, and spring rolls are cult favourites, and many regulars swear by the place as a go-to for seafood lovers.
Address: Ground Floor, Silver Croft, Pali Mala Rd, Pali Market, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
Timings: Monday to Sunday (12:30–3:30 pm, 7 pm–1 am)
Price for two: INR 1,200
The Ghetto Pub
This OG spot in Mahalaxmi has been around since the 1970s, making it one of the city’s oldest surviving pubs—and easily one of its most legendary. It’s the kind of place that hasn’t changed much over the decades, and that’s exactly the point. At Ghetto, the grungy interiors have names and secret messages messily scribbled on the walls for decades, and everyone has a cool pool move they learnt to make here.
With dark wood interiors, graffiti covering the walls both inside and out, and glow-in-the-dark lighting, it’s among the most unique spaces in the city. With only bangers from the 2000s allowed on the playlist, comfort food on the menu, and even a pool table, it’s one of the best resto bars for a night out.
Their cheese chilli toast and pizzas are almost synonymous with the place, often ordered in multiples. Cocktails are equally as classic—nothing fancy, just strong, well-poured drinks that do their job. Be it weekday or weekend, Ghetto will always be bustling with the nighttime energy that Mumbai is known for, which is exactly why it’s an OG favourite.
Address: 30B, Bhulabhai Desai Marg, opp. Tirupati Apartments, Mahalaxmi West, Breach Candy, Mahalakshmi, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400026
Timings: Monday to Sunday (7 pm–1 am)
Price for two: INR 1,900
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