Ask a Mumbaikar or a Bengalurean and you will realise that Chennai’s party life is its best-kept secret. With nearly all night clubs bursting at the seams on a Saturday night, we tell guests to the city — you just have to figure out your fit. Right from the stock-market themed The Vault in T Nagar to B Side of pandi curry fame off Greams Road, Chennai’s taphouses and resto-bars have no dearth of customers. For one thing — we find that in our city, food is a big deal, closely followed by music, crowd and budget. We talk to regular weekend revellers and factor in their picks as we hop, skip and jump across the city in full-on party mode.
The three-step weekender
All parties begin at Radio Room on a Saturday night in Chennai, continue at Hyatt Regency, and end in Taj Chipstead — or at least that’s what the regulars tell us! This local pilgrimage of sorts starts at the grunge resto-bar in MRC Nagar that is packed by 9pm. However, those who want to book that much-coveted community table for a group, better land up there early – rest assured that Mojiz Ali, manager reservations, events & PR, Radio Room, is not going to hold them bar stools for you a minute longer than 9 pm. In fact, factors like this that has the city’s creme de la creme flocking to this 120-seater pub every Saturday – also, the entrance is manned by stoic bouncers who ensure that regulars are preferred. Tania Samtani Hari, partner, Stereo-vision, is an ardent foodie and though she prefers non-vegetarian fare, at Radio Room her surprise favourite is the Creamy Mushroom Puff. “The venue is close to my home and I love the crowd — all my friends are here, the music is great and the service is really good. I love the vibe,” says the party hopper, who likes to sip on a Muddy Puddle.
.jpg?w=640&auto=format%2Ccompress)
Meanwhile, at Hyatt Regency Chennai, Teynampet, the thumping al fresco section (the Arena) next to the lounge bar, 365 AS, is packed by midnight. Frequently, party peeps from Radio Room, which shuts at 11.45 pm sharp, can be seen here revving up the party mood till 2 am. Every Friday and Saturday, they have special music nights at the Arena. Designer Vivek Karunakaran, who has presented fascinating collaborations of fashion and food here in the past, picks 365 AS as his favourite weekend spot. Admitting that Chef Mauro Ferrari’s creations on the menu are a big draw for him, he says, “It’s a nice place to network, connect and hang out. The ambience is great – there are options for having a quiet conversation inside and also a complete party zone outside. I also really like the promotional events they often support here.”
Finally, Taj Coromandel on Nungambakkam High Road, beckons not just for the music at their bar, Chipstead, which also offers the best-priced drinks among the five star hotels, but also because after all that hectic partying, there is a promise of some comfort food here. A great way to call it a night would be to opt for their deal on shooters, at Rs 1,500 for four – the B52 is irresistible with Kahlúa, Bailey’s Irish cream and Grand Marnier in the mix. After that spirited set, we suggest you head over to Anise, where the famous Mutton Gilli Biryani, a part of their a-la-carte menu, awaits you (Rs 850 + taxes). Fresh, fragrant and melt-in-the-mouth – this dish will have you coming back every Saturday.
Happy hour alert!
Those heading to Radio Room should keep their eyes on the clock — as from 10pm to 1am every night, Library Blu which is just a street away, has a 1 + 1 free offer on drinks. This bar at The Leela Palace Chennai offers some of the finest spirits off their racks, and a quiet and opulent ambience for the discerning. The offer includes single malts, champagnes, wines and three types of tequilas, apart from other staples.
One stop party
There are some in the city who would rather go to their favourite haunt and stay put — especially if it is all the way out in Velachery. Park Hyatt Chennai’s Flying Elephant makes for an ideal destination for that kind of a night out — where the multi-dimensional seven-level lounge bar offers both privacy and party zones, even when accomodating nearly 200 guests. With vocalist Thelma from South Africa set to perform live this week, we predict that the evenings are going to be busier. Their recently re-launched menu boasts an interesting cocktail of rum and filter coffee which is worth a try. Socialite and entrepreneur Vimmi Deepak tells us that the Flying Elephant is her go-to place for most of her celebrations, including birthday bashes. “I love it that the team is so attentive — they know exactly what I want and what my favourites are, like the galouti kebab and the ossobuco-di-agnello! They know my order even before I place it!”
Journey to the Centre
For many, Nungambakkam is the new centre of the world – at least on weekends, with up to five popular watering holes in the vicinity — thanks to the opening of Thirsty Crow, which joins the likes of Studio Lounge at Slate Hotels and INK 303 down Khader Nawaz Khan Road, besides Leather Bar at The Park. Themed around steam punk design elements, Thirsty Crow attracts young and hip patrons. Photographer and teacher Shannon Zirkle-Prabhakar tells us that she and are her husband Rohan Prabhakar are most impressed about the number of women waiting the tables and bartending at Thirsty Crow. “I find that the women are more attentive and can multitask better! It’s a nice bar that is not too crowded, and I really like the pork vindaloo on toast that they serve here.”
While we always thought that watching sparring sessions in the Muay Thai ring would be the big draw at the Studio Lounge at Slate Hotels, the long queue of cars in the driveway down KNK on Saturday nights tell us that their party vibe is just right. Designer Chaitanya Rao tells us that what really sets the place apart is that the owners, including Deepraj Singh Guliani, are present at the venue and are hands-on with the running of the pub. “The team that runs the Studio is young and vibrant — and it really makes a difference that they are always there. I also find the location very central — it’s convenient to meet up here for work and to unwind!”