Mar 14, 2002 02:57 PM
8803 Views
(Updated Mar 14, 2002 03:03 PM)
180 Proof believe it or not is part of a church building! Who gave them the permission a few years ago GOd only knows but hats off to a very enterprising couple - the Jaiswals - for retaining the external and internal feel of a century old building with the designs and culture of today.
180 Proof due to the foresightedness of the owners has also been one of the only pubs which has constantly endeavoured to change with the times. As I always say and have noticed people do get bored after a bit with a place and need a change! The owner should prevent them from going elsewhere by changing the look and that is exactly what the owners have achieved with out losing a majority of the clientele.
The place is split into 3 basic areas - the main hall, the mezzaine floor and the outdoors. The main hall has the added attraction ( newly added ) of having the DJ Console above the main door - literally looks like its suspended from the roof - and entered by climbing a ladder. The sound systems are good. The advantage of 180 over other pubs is the way the tables and the odd sofas have been placed so far from each other. Packing the crowds in so that everybody is eavesdropping on the next table is a welcome relief for the serious party-goers, chill-outers, occasional lovers and anyone else in general! The bar is well laid out and the service is good but on busy nights as in every place they do have their problems. The mezzaine floor is again nice as it is more cosy and definitely for the generation before us and the die-hard romantics. The beauty of the mezzaine floor is the long sweeping staircase which doubles up as seating area on even nights. The outside is nice with one portion being covered and giving an impression of regal tents which in turn have U-shaped soft seating around a table and can accommodate groups of 6-8 comfortably. The advantage outside is you can have your own fun at your own volume as the music does not carry out. Good sound-proofing! Also an added advantage is that there is an outside bar to cater!
Food is always good with special emphasis being their Thai food! Well worth trying.
Regarding costs - for a hard core drinker a little heavy on the pocket but then all good things come at a price! Also the place does have its own class of clientele - a place where even the older generation would not blink an eyelid or think twice about going to. The only problem is parking - being so centrally situated parking can always be a problem!
There is one more thing innovative about 180 Proof which we have not seen anywhere else and ladies please do not take offensive - they have a condom machine in the toilet!!! Whether it is being used or not I do not know know or have any statistics and if there is one in the ladies toilet - I have never had the chance to check or ask anyone yet!
Anyway a great place with some of the wildest and whackiest theme parties - a must visit for anyone coming to Bangalore!!!
