With the Lakmé India Fashion Week in full swing at NCPA, Bombay- ATHENA- Bombay’s premier night spot is rocking with those parties thrown by the designers each night. I thought it’s a good time to write a review on this HOT SPOT. There is one more very special reason for this review and there’s a hint dropped at the end of the review…….and after you read the hint….just keep guessing !
ATHENA-
Category:
Lounge cum Bar cum Restaurant, first of its kind in Mumbai
Location :
Located at Minoo Desai Road , Colaba, Tel : 22028699 / 280 5155 -behind the RADIO CLUB. Most people don’t know that before Athena came up, that place was occupied by a godown. Its pretty much in a corner, gives that much needed privacy to all those Page 3 people who frequent it here.
Accessibility :
It’s a 2 minute drive from the famous Taj Mahal hotel opposite gateway of India and Radio Club is a good landmark. If you are taking the train, you can alight at Churchgate or VT station and cab it down to Athena.
Parking:
Parking being a major problem in most metros, this aspect has been taken special care of. There are at least 5 valets who take care of the parking for you. Only practical problem here is once Athena closes down at 1am,due to the new laws enforced the Police Commissioner in Mumbai, you might want to go some other place which remains open longer, and then it takes quite a while for the valet to fetch your car if it has been parked at some distance due to lack of space. (Insomnia at Taj being a 5 Star Hotel has the license to remain open till 3 am )
Entry :
Non-members have to shell out a cover charge of Rs.1000 for both couples and stags, which is fully redeemable inside.Members*- entry free
The people ( read that as bouncers in ties) at the entry are pretty cautious about whom to let in and whom not to.
- (Membership is of three types- the white, gold and platinum, to cater to all kinds of guests-membership privileges are discounts and table bookings, free entry for guests )
Now you are finally inside the hippest and trendiest clubs of Mumbai. The cool look in steel and frosted glass at the entry, the mélange of the choicest of perfumes in the air, the thousands of watts of latest club music wafting in through the glass doors greet you in.
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DECOR The décor is a combination of Arabian, Indian and Western. White dominates. Probably living up to the Greek name ( Athena means Goddess of Strategy in Greek ) with those pristine colors and minimalistic décor. Total area is around 10000 sq ft.
DANCE FLOOR The Central space is the dance floor, every inch of which is covered on Saturdays, Fridays and Special Nites. At one corner of the dance floor is the DJ’s cabin. Latest sound equipment and speakers make it a truly a blast of an experience.
BARS Three bars surround the main area of Athena. Guests / members can use the bar that is closest to them. The lounge bar has over 175 wines from all over the world, which are cooled according to their serving temperature.( Technology put to full use ) This bar only offers wine, whereas the second bar serves all kinds of drinks, including beer. The third bar is for the exclusive member category.
Drinks are definitely on the pricier side . A glass of wine could cost anywhere between 250 to 700 rupees and a bottle of wine could make you lighter by 4 grand. The variety of beverages that they serve is quite amazing, Wines, Scotches, Vodkas, Shooters, Cocktails, Mock tails, you name it, they have it. An average Indian drink would cost roughly Rs.300. If you are not into alcohol, you could even settle for fruit juices- fresh or cartonned. Fresh would be more expensive though.
BUDDHA BAR Why associate Buddha – one who renounced all-with a Bar? The logic would probably be that it’s a separate area, to have some quiet moments ( the music doesn’t play as loud within this glass enclosed chamber)
This area is lit up by white candles, is reserved only for the VIP guests. This is where most of the Page 3 shots in Bombay Times are clicked ! The walls are lined by white luxurious sofas and a plethora of white and cream cushions.
RESTAURANT Multi-cuisine / world Cuisine – a compilation of some of the best dishes of the world. The restaurant is separated from the dance floor by frosted glass panes and is open to the general public. I have heard that the chefs follow Kosher’s Dietary principles eg. Not mixing fish / meat and milk, and also vegetables are handled in a separate area in the huge kitchen. Pricing is again premium.
THE CHAMPAGNE AND CIGAR LOUNGE is specially enclosed and reserved only for the members. Here, imported cigars and champagne are served. Athena offers different privileges, like discounts, priority booking etc, to the different membership card holders.
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MUSIC A mix of lounge, trance, latest club hits, Indipop- lot of creative mixing done by the DJs
CROWD I presume the age of entry is 18, but you sure spot a lot of 16 year olds and even younger in there. Apart from the teeny bopper crowd (who surely don’t look their age), there is also a fair share of people in their 20s, 30s and 40s. I once spotted a couple in their 50s, the lady in a black silk sari and her partner in a black suit and they were swinging away blissfully, such a nice scene !! Nearly 80% of the people there smoke, so the air is pretty hung with nicotine fumes.
DRESSING Strictly Western- Smart casuals, although now I do spot some Indo Western gaining ground, like Short Kurtas- Chudidaar and Stoles, with sequin work or a little bit of razzle dazzle. Mostly its Jeans (Kaanta Laga style ;-) ) and halter tops, Off shoulders, Spagettis, with lots of glitter and glam. The conservative lot can wear trousers with a smart top, wear WHITE if you want to get noticed and if your figure will permit it. Guys can just wear a pair of jeans, smart Shirts / T shirst, those diagonal Stripes Shirts are very much in nowadays ( Check out Arrow® brand), polo necks, fitting Ts for those with well-worked bodies. Wear anything you can carry off confidently, but remember not to over dress. Its smarter to be subtle!
The wash rooms in Athena also keep cans of FA deo sprays in addition to tissues, to spare other people as you dance and sweat it out ;-) Quite thoughtful !
TIMINGS Earlier used to be open till 4.30 am, but since Jan this year , the time restrictions have come in and police promptly close down the place at 1 am making sure all guests are out by 1.30 am. This week due to special events, the timings are relaxed till 4 am. So if you want to have your share of fun, make sure you reach there by 11 pm or so.
In Short, a cool place to hangout, where you can rub shoulders with top industrialists, people from the glamour world, Movie Stars, and many who’s who from the hi fi Society of Bombay and around! Definitely at a steep price , but for once its worth it, just to get a feel of the place that is quite rightly rated a MUMBAI’s Numero Uno CLUB.
NOW FOR THE HINT, THE SPECIAL REASON WHY I CHOSE THIS TO RIGHT ABOUT IS…..DAVIE AND ME HAVE CHOSEN Athena AS THE VENUE FOR OUR AWARDS FUNCTION ! WHICH? WHEN? FOR WHAT? Keep guessing until our next joint review !!!
