The latest Talibanisation of Bangalore (a term once aptly used to describe a protest against a play I directed), has ensured excise collections falling by 30%, a rise in the obesity levels of Bangaloreans (we’re gulping down the beers with no way to burn off the calories), and even less entertainment for the single, 30-something girl when she’s out on the town. Like the lack of single, 30-something men in the city wasn’t bad enough.
Since we are independent, Carrie Bradshaw-worshipping girls, we end up going out with our girlfriends pretty often, and it’s usually a load of fun. We have a couple of drinks (or not), chomp on some snacks, dance a lot (or used to- I can feel my hips expanding) and go home with the designated non-drinking driver. It’s all about hanging out in a nice, atmospheric place with good music and light conversation, feeling your stressful day drain away. If only the authorities would get that it’s not just about the alcohol, but also the ambience, the relaxation, the exchange of ideas and opinions. Sigh.
So when someone suggested we try out ladies’ nights at some of the bars in town, it sounded not too different from what we would do anyway on a Wednesday night, except this way we would get a free drink and discounted chicken tikkas. At least someone realizes the value we girls add to a nightspot and wants to reward us for it, I thought. I was so wrong.
So I’ve done this ladies’ night thing a couple of times before- and I remember free champagne in F-bar, complimentary starters somewhere else and two drinks for the price of one in Maya (fabulous Cosmopolitans). I also recall how happy the guys who escorted us were- which got me thinking that maybe ladies’ night is a clever ploy designed by men to give their brethren a break from expensive dates. I remember a couple of other bars- Hypnos and Sutra, I think- allowing girls in without the cover charge to boogie the night away, whether or not they wanted a drink. Ice used to give out a couple of free drinks per girl. The Beach, according to one of my young friends, would just dole out larger drinks to the girls.
But in our 24 hour city which has a 3 hour nightlife, things have gotten bad and badder. Ladies’ nights in most pubs and bars have been cancelled because owners just can’t afford it anymore. Who’d want to give out free drinks when their revenues are so down (by 60% since 2005’s Draconian 11pm rule was put in force, according to a reliable source)? And Bangalore girls aren’t exactly shy, retiring types who’ll be done after one sherry, no thank you; we want a pitcher or a peg or three.
So I tried Ice. I tried Taika. I called Blue Bar. No luck. Then a little birdie told me that Tavern and Hypnos still clung to this quaint (and frankly, fabulous tradition). I set off with my girl-gang and one token boy in tow. Only to find that both these places had ladies’ nights up to 9 pm only. 9 pm?!? Do they expect people to start partying at tea time? There is no way I can finish work, walk my dog, shower and reach anywhere before 9 pm on a weekday. And what was the special deal, I asked- free shots? Unlimited snacks? Nope. Just discounted drinks.
And guess what. Obviously, all the ladies had come and gone, because on ladies’ night, we were the ONLY ladies there. Perhaps the boys had come in anticipation of the ladies flocking there for the unbeatable offer of 10% off on beer. And I finally saw the rationale of ladies’ night- the girls come for the free stuff, the guys come because the girls are there!
So that was a bit of a flop. However, in the spirit of investigation, I decided to list out the best watering holes for girls to go to on their own in Bangalore. The girls’ night out, as opposed to the institutionalized ladies’ night out. Because a group of dressed up girls in a mood to have a rocking time always attracts attention, it makes sense to go to places where the attention will stay just that, and not become intrusive (unless you want it to). In the days of yore, I was the envy of all my friends across the country because I could walk into Black Cadillac on my own, confident I would bump into someone I knew well (it was the only place to go, then). And Bangalore still feels like a city where you can go out in a gaggle of girls and not get harassed, leched at or felt up too much. (Although I wouldn’t go out for a drink alone after dark -coffee and lunch ownsomes are fine, but dusk brings notions of notoriety and bad pick-up lines with it. Groups are much better.)
Blue Bar is very girl friendly because the crowd is usually good. If you’re looking at something mid-range, try Opus, which has a nice family sort of ambience and encourages loud boisterous singing, which is always a good thing. Pecos is peopled with a crowd that just doesn’t give a rodent’s behind about who’s on the next table, so it’s a pretty safe bet. I like Hard Rock Café because of the anonymity, the great music and the sheer scale of it, and I like the new i-Bar because it’s intimate and so feminine with its pinks and lattices. Taika on Mondays was a fantastic evening out with the girls because you could bounce around to your hearts content to Vachan’s lovely tunes, but alas, that is not an option any more.
On the whole, the hotels are a good bet because you have valet parking, decent crowds and good décor. Avoid the mad, thronging nightclubs if you’re just girls. Look for outdoor spaces where you can get good service. Don’t drink and drive. And don’t hold your breath waiting for the free nibbles and drinks. In Bengaluru, ladies’ nights are nearly as extinct as the trees.
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