Mumbai is the most visited city in India because of a wide range of entertainment options that include nightclubs, dance bars, discotheques, karaoke bar, pubs, and swanky bars. Nightlife in Mumbai offer wide variety of choices. Added to such a broad range of entertainment avenues in Mumbai, the alluring and mouthwatering street food stalls that remain open till very late in the night, make Mumbai, the best city in India for youth.
When I visited Bombay some 15 years ago, there were not so many dance bars and Nightclubs in Mumbai. Even the bars were not swanky except in the 5-star hotels.
Today, the Nightlife in Mumbai causes acute envy in the youth of other cities of India including New Delhi, Chennai, and Hyderabad.
Busy nightclubs, crowded discos and dance bars, colorful and noisy pubs in Mumbai pull people of all ages (not only youth) from other big cities and small towns in India.
The present scenario about entertainment options in nightlife in Mumbai is much influenced by Bollywood celebrities and rich corporate businesspersons.
Best Guide to Nightlife in Mumbai
Let us pay a visit to some of the well-known nighttime entertainment hangouts in Mumbai. Watch out for ‘dance bars’ that are also known as ‘dance clubs’.
1. Nightlife in Mumbai in Aer, roof-top bar, Worli
Aer is located on the roof of Four Seasons hotel in Worli area, Mumbai. Worli is a posh neighborhood where you bump into the whos who of Mumbai, the glamorous city of India.
Aer faces the charming Arabian sea. The cocktails of this dance bar (yes, there is a dancing floor too) are mixed with innovation.
As far as the food is concerned in Aer roof-top bar, you get the rare chicken wings.
Wow! What a view! The food range is inviting! Don’t reach Aer, the number one entertainment hangout after sunset. Reach by 5.45 pm to watch the sunset from such a height. It will be a memorable experience.
2. Nightlife in Mumbai: Hard Rock Café, Andheri West
The name suggests you can expect a lot of rock music played by the best guitarists of India. Or, can we assume the name points to drinks ‘on the rocks’?
I reckon both are good assumptions and if they turn out to be true, then, Rock Hard Café is a perfect hangout for college students and corporate youth for best nightlife in Mumbai. What do you say?
There is another outlet for them in Worli. I read it was closed for good. Are they re-opening? They can’t stay off the action for a long time that too in electric Mumbai city.
3. Playboy Club, Worli for Best Nightlife in Mumbai
Here is one more nightlife joint in Mumbai and that too in Worli, the happening place in the city. It is located in Birla Centurion, Worli, Mumbai. Its plush interiors and electrifying ambiance pull crowds in carloads.
Oh, the dance fever at this dance bar can be contagious. It is certainly a place to be for the night owls in Mumbai.
4. Radio Bar, Bandra for Nightlife in Mumbai with like minded
Bandra in Mumbai is favorite place for nightlife in Mumbai. Posh bungalows and scenic surroundings easily mingle with high-end discos and noisy music bars.
The Radio Bar though conveniently located in Bandra, the main issue facing the customers is the availability of parking space. To meet the growing need, Radio Bar offers ‘valet parking’ facility. So, if you are concerned about parking space for your evening party in Radio bar Bandra, you may leave your worries in your car’s boot.
The rock music is groovy and youth are enticed to freak out.
If you love to eat your charcoal-burnt lamb from a skewer, Radio Bar won’t disappoint your palates.
5. Poison Club, Bandra for Energetic Nightlife in Mumbai
Do you call ‘Poison’ an apt name for disco? I would say so because once you start feeling the verve of this energetic nightlife hangout in Mumbai, you are likely to ‘hangout’ literally there.
The music and dance is upbeat in Poison Club and I read even international DJs are hired at times to entertain the fun-loving people of Mumbai.
The sound of music in Poison Club is magnificent and the huge plasma screens show them up close to the people that are standing near the entrance door.
‘Mumbaikars’-surely they know how to enjoy life-eh?
 Wink, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai
Pop music seems to be the genre of this Mumbai bar. The food is said to be excellent and so are the drinks and cocktails. I think ‘mocktailers’ should stay away from Wink, a happening nightclub in South Mumbai.
6. Dome Intercontinental, Churchgate, Mumbai
I have heard about this terrace lounge where you can drink and eat to your heart’s content. With the sea view and excellent food, you would enjoy your visit and would feel reluctant to leave from the comfortable seat.
For foodies, the Japanese sushi and the Afghan tandoori chicken are highly recommended.
7. White Owl, Prabhadevi, Mumbai
White Owl brews its own lager and cider beer. Beer ‘swiggers’ amble across to this joint during the late evening to enjoy unlimited drink they love.
Have you ever eaten vada pav along with a pot of beer? Try that here and you may end up making it as your favorite accompaniment.
8. Most Favorite Joint for Nightlife in Mumbai: Soul Fry Karaoke Club, Bandra
This a favorite haunting place for the Konkans (people of Goa) as they serve Konkan cuisine. Lobster pulav is a Konkan specialty.
Another absolutely unique seafood that you can eat in Soul Fry Karaoke Club is ‘bombil’ fry. Bombil is a fairly large fish with succulent flesh. Bombil fish is caught only off the Mumbai coast.
Mondays are special here as it is the night for karaoke singers. Soul Fry in Mumbai is a good place of entertainment for all ages, especially aspiring singers who would like to test their singing skill.
9. Paparazzi Nightclub, Juhu, Mumbai
As can be seen from the video clip above, this nightclub in Mumbai is a discotheque, rated as the best disco in Mumbai city.
Juhu locality comprises elite crowd of Mumbai filmdom. They love to dance and party quite often. They usually start late in the evening and wind up their fun very early in the morning.
10. Best Disco Hangout: XXO, Lower Parel
This is the highest nightclub and disco hangout in Mumbai as it is situated on the 37th floor of St.Regis Hotel in Mumbai’s Lower Parel.
You can imagine the breathtaking view of brightly lit Mumbai city from such a dizzying height. I think it will help you to further soar your spirit.
With flashy lights, very tall windows and great music played by Indian as well as foreign DJs, this dance bar in Mumbai is a happening place.
If you want to bump into Mumbai’s celebrities on the 37th floor, book your table well in advance.
11. Nightclubs in Mumbai: Enigma Nightclub, Juhu
If a nightlife hangout is located in Juhu, Mumbai, then, it must be the place for star watching. Juhu is probably the poshest locality in Mumbai and it is where several of Mumbai’s film stars live.
Enigma Lounge and Nightclub is located in the high-end Hotel JW Marriott Mumbai. Not a single day passes on without a party in Enigma Nightclub, Mumbai.
Talaiva, Mumbai
Opens until 1 AM, this Lower Parel bar in Mumbai is where the IT youth throng. The food served here has received rave reviews and it is clear the food is the crowd puller for Talaiva nightclub.