Food and Drink – Being Expat https://beingexpat.com Expat blog, Directory, Resources Tue, 11 Jun 2019 01:22:12 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.2 Best Pubs in Mg Rd Bangalore (and surrounding areas) https://beingexpat.com/pubs-in-mg-rd-bangalore/ Wed, 08 May 2019 21:34:16 +0000 http://beingexpat.com/?p=568 The Mg road area, also called central business district (CBD) of Bangalore is one of the most traditional nightlife and pubbing locations in the city. Although several new hotspots have popped up in the last decade, CBD is still a favorite for old Bangaloreans.

Several pubs have come and gone in the last decade, and just a handful of the old Bangalore pubs exist today. However, some new and exciting bars have taken their place.

Here’s a list of some of the best pubs in mg rd Bangalore and nearby areas.

#1 Biere Club

One of the first micro-breweries in Bangalore, Biere Club, is one of those evergreen pubs. If you like craft beer, they brew some of the most excellent European style beers in the city. The best part of this pub is that it’s a casual environment, and it’s not necessary to be well dressed. One can walk in with shorts and a t-shirt and still feel comfortable. A place to visit almost any day of the week.

The ground floor has a bar counter, if you go alone, that’s a good place to hang out. If you go in a group, their second floor is a better option because it has open walls, and it’s a great place to enjoy the Bangalore weather.

Their wheat beers are a good option to try. Their food is average though.

Location: 20, Vittal Mallya Road, 2nd Stage, D’ Souza Layout, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001

#2 Bootlegger

Exactly opposite to Biere Club is Bootlegger. It’s quite crowded late in the evening on the weekdays, probably because of the working crowd in the surrounding areas. The biggest draw at Bootlegger is that their beer is cheaper than most bars in the neighborhood. The place is quite small and cozy, which gives one an intimate and informal feeling.

Location: 36, Vittal Mallya Road, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001

#3 Socials Church Street

One of the more crowded places in Bangalore is church street socials. The place is usually quite crowded on the weekends. The ambiance is casual reminiscent of a bar in America, and the price of drinks are reasonable compared to other places. A lot of people like the food, and their staff are courteous and professional.

Location: 46/1, Cobalt Building, Church Street, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001

#4 Pecos Classic

It is one of the oldest pubs in Bangalore that is still surviving. Majority of the older ones have long closed due to stiff competition. However, Pecos has survived. They play classic rock. If you love rock music, this is a place to visit. The interiors are old school, which take you back in time. I remember coming here about 20 years ago, and it still looks the same. But that’s what makes Pecos special. The beer is cheap, food is good, and a little bit of Pink Floyd music doesn’t hurt either. They only serve beer. If your poison is something else then you should try other options.

Location: 34, Rest House Rd, Shanthala Nagar, Sampangi Rama Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001

#5 Easy Tiger

Another pub just off Mg rd on church street. It’s modern, cozy, and the view from their balcony lets you watch the busy street while you sip on your drink. No air conditioning, so let’s you enjoy the cool Bangalore weather.

Location: Church Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001

These are just some of the best pubs in mg rd Bangalore. It might be a good idea to pub hop and find a place that vibes with you. If you want to check out places in Bangalore, here is a guide to help you.

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Phobidden Fruit, Vietnamese Restaurant in Bangalore https://beingexpat.com/phobidden-fruit-vietnamese-indirangar-bangalore/ Sat, 02 Jun 2018 14:50:01 +0000 http://beingexpat.com/?p=551 The name sounds cheesy but don’t get fooled by the name. If you are looking for something intimate, yet classy but not too casual or too formal, the Phobidden Fruit on 12th main road Indiranagar might be the place for you.

I’ve visited this place about three times; it is a beautiful place for a first date, where you don’t want things to be too formal or too casual, but somewhere in-between. The music too isn’t loud, and it’s possible to have an audible conversation.

Another advantage of this place is that there are several restaurants close by to pub hop if your date goes well.

It is probably the only vietnamese restaurant in Bangalore. The ambiance is casual yet classy. The last time I visited this place was a Friday afternoon, I was there to meet a business connection, and I was late by 20 minutes. I somehow found parking on the street, parking might be a challenge during peak hours, but for some reason, I’ve been lucky with parking during my last three visits.

When I finally arrived at the vietnamese restaurant in Bangalore, I wasn’t sure what to order. I asked the waiter if he could suggest something, and he wasn’t of much help. I tried to remember my friend’s order the last time around, but my memory couldn’t help me here either.

Eventually, I ended up ordering a chicken dish. It was a well presented side dish, not too spicy, nor too sweet, just the ideal balance. I also got veg noodles along with it, which was too sweet for my liking.

Overall, I thought the food was average. It’s not a place one would go for the food, but for the ambiance. If you are looking for a place where the music is not too loud and would like to have a conversation, then this is the place for you.

Positives: Great ambiance (almost surreal), soft music, casual dining.

Negatives: Service can get better, the waiters were polite and friendly but they were not trained at all. Service staff must learn to educate guests about Vietnamese food, and offer suggestions.

Address: 965, 12th Main Road, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560038

You may also want to check out pubs in mg rd, Bangalore, which is less than 5 km from Phobidden fruit.

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