Should You Take a Bar Hopping Tour While on Vacation in Mumbai?
When vacationing in the vibrant city of Mumbai, visitors enjoy the abundance of activities and sights to explore. Located on India’s western coast and surrounded by popular tourist destinations like the beaches of Goa, the charming colonial city of Pune, and the mountain ranges of Mahabaleshwar, Mumbai is the gateway to discovering India’s incredible culture and heritage.
The many different experiences available to tourists includes Mumbai’s superb nightlife, which captivates all kinds of travelers. Whether you’re after a gourmet dinner, an upscale clubbing experience, or just a couple of drinks with friends, you’ll be spoilt for choice with all the available options. That is why many travelers ask themselves the question: “Should I take a bar hopping tour while on vacation in Mumbai?” From our experience, we can affirm that the answer is a definite yes!
How to Select the Right Bar Hopping Tour Depending on Your Needs
The first thing anyone should know is that bar hopping tours in Mumbai come in various forms and sizes. For instance, some companies offer a three-hour tour of several bars, pubs and nightclubs which usually includes some drinks and transfers. Other companies focus on touring only microbreweries for beer lovers or offer tuk-tuk rides or walking tours in unique enclaves like Colaba Causeway or Kala Ghoda Art Precinct.
When deciding which type of bar hopping tour suits you best, consider the following questions:
- Are you looking for an intimate tour with just your friends or with a larger group of people?
- Do you want to explore several venues in one night or would you prefer to have time to soak up the ambiance at each one?
- Are you looking for a pub/bar crawl or would you like to explore more independently?
- Do you want an experience that includes food and drinks?
- Do you want to taste different varieties of beer, cocktails, or wines?
- Is there any particular area in the city that interests you?
Once you have identified what type of experience you’re looking for, it’s easy to find a bar hopping tour that meets your expectations. GetYourGuide offers a wide range of tours and activities for travelers, such as the Mumbai 3-Hour Bar Hopping Tour with Drinks, which is great for travelers on a tight schedule who still want to enjoy an unforgettable evening out in town.
The Different Types of Bars You Can Explore on a Bar Hopping Tour
Mumbai offers a huge variety of bars, pubs and clubs to explore. Depending on the type of tour you book, here are some examples of the different venues you could visit:
Popular Bars & Pubs
- Ghetto
- Club Bardez
- Escobar
- Amadeus Sky Lounge
- Garden Bar & Grill
- Mafia
- Spellbinder
- Smaaash
- Royal Oak
- Hoppe Bar
- Lords Oceanic
Breweries & Microbreweries
- Independence Brewery
- White Owl Brewery
- Mongozo
- Brewbot Eating House & Microbrewery
- Gateway Brewing Co.
- Bira 91
- East India Distilling Company
- An Insider’s Guide to Mumbai: Why You Should Take a Bar Hopping Tour During Your Vacation
If you are planning to visit Mumbai, India, you are in for a treat. Mumbai is a bustling city that is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves adventure, culture, and history. Mumbai is known for being the “city of dreams” because it is where most people come to achieve their dreams of achieving wealth and prosperity. The city is famous for its street food, beaches, and historical buildings, and of course, the Bollywood film industry, which is located in the city. Among the many things to do in Mumbai, one activity that has become increasingly popular with tourists is bar hopping. In this guide, we will explore why you should take a bar hopping tour while on your vacation in Mumbai.
Exploring Mumbai’s Bar Scene
Bar hopping in Mumbai is a fantastic way to experience the city’s nightlife. Mumbai has a vibrant bar scene, with a diverse range of bars and pubs that cater to every type of outing. From trendy rooftop bars with stunning views to refined cocktail lounges and gritty local dive bars, the city has something to offer depending on your mood. A bar-hopping tour gives you the opportunity to navigate your way through the city’s bar culture and enjoy their diverse atmospheres over the course of a few hours.
The Best Bars in Mumbai
Mumbai has something to offer everyone when it comes to bars. The city’s bar scene has thrived in recent years due to the influx of young entrepreneurs and expats. Here are some of the best bars you can visit while bar hopping in Mumbai.
The Bombay Canteen
This bar is located in the Lower Parel area and is considered one of the best bars in Mumbai. The Bombay Canteen’s decor combines rustic with modern, creating a unique ambiance. The restaurant has been inspired by homestyle Indian dishes and has achieved a contemporary take on traditional Indian cuisine. They also have an extensive selection of drinks, including an extraordinary gin and tonic menu.
Gokul Bar and Restaurant
Located in Colaba, Gokul Bar and Restaurant is a Bombay institution, having been in business for over 40 years. Although it is a little rough around the edges, it is incredibly atmospheric and an excellent place to experience the true local scene in Mumbai. You can enjoy some cheap beer and snacks while catching up with friends.
Radio Bar
Located in Khar, Radio Bar is an excellent place to enjoy unique and innovative cocktails. The bar has two floors, one designed for more formal dining, and the other for more casual hangouts. The atmosphere is vibrant, with a DJ playing music in the evening.
Cultural Experiences in Mumbai
While bar hopping is a vital activity, there are other cultural experiences to consider while visiting Mumbai.
Visit the Gateway of India
The Gateway of India is an iconic landmark in Mumbai, which has become synonymous with the city. The gateway is an arch monument built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Mumbai. The colonial architecture of the gateway remains a sight to marvel at and snap photos for your memories.
Elephanta Caves Tour
Located on Elephanta Island, the Elephanta Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site that date back to the 5th century. The caves are considered sacred Hindu and Buddhist religious iconography and carved from solid rock. Elephanta Caves is something to see with grounds large enough to spend a good portion of a day exploring.
Chor Bazaar
Chor Bazaar or “thieves’ market” is a market in South Mumbai where you can find everything you want. The market’s vendors sell antiques, stolen merchandise, electronic gadgets, and everything in between. It’s a busy market and requires bartering skills to get the right price.
Local History
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a historic railway station that is the best example of Victorian Gothic-style architecture in Mumbai. The station was built-in in the late 1800s and is an essential landmark in the history of Mumbai.
The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel
The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel is another iconic landmark in Mumbai. The hotel’s architecture combines Moorish, Oriental, and Florentine styles, which makes it one of the city’s most elegant and prestigious buildings. However, when the terrorist attack occurred in November 2008, the hotel became a landmark in Mumbai’s sorrowful history.
Off-the-Beaten-Path Suggestions
Go on a Tour of Dharavi Slum
Dharavi is the third-largest slum in the world but is also one of Mumbai’s most vibrant areas. The slum’s residents are mainly migrant workers, and life inside it is notable for its hardworking people, colourful street markets, and small-scale businesses. Exploring Dharavi is an opportunity to discover Mumbai’s culture and history, see how the people of Mumbai live their lives, and learn about how the community interacts with one another.
Visit Sasoon Dock Fish Market
Located in Mumbai’s Colaba neighbourhood, the Sassoon Dock Fish Market is a busy marketplace where you can experience Mumbai’s lively fishing trade. The market has an array of seafood, with vendors selling dozens of varieties of fish, crab, squid, and other marine products.
Conclusion
Mumbai, India, is an exciting and vibrant city to visit, with plenty to see and do. Whether you’re bar hopping, exploring historic landmarks and cultural sites, or exploring off-the-beaten-path locations, there is never a dull moment in Mumbai. The city has something to appeal to all visitors, and it’s a destination that will leave you with a lifetime of memories.
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