Alone & Bored In Bangalore

I was pretty excited to come to Bangalore because I thought there was good nightlife and a good opportunity to meet people esp. since English is better spoken and its more western here-- well I was pretty wrong.

I spent the last two days sort of meandering around the streets, not doing too much in particular, and feeling pretty sick. Tonight I felt alright so I checked my lonely planet for some bars and clubs, but to my disappointment, the bars are packed with guys, and the clubs aren't really all that happening.

I'm generally a friendly guy and find meeting people not to be a problem, but if on several occasions I've tried approaching western looking girls just to say hello and have received pretty shocked responses-- dashing across the street and completely ignoring me. What the heck? I spoke to a few guys and they didn't really seem all that friendly either. What is it, maybe I'm just used to the friendly Indians in southern India.. I guess this is city life.

Well, maybe you guys can offer some advice where I can meet up with some people, as I'm travelling alone and find it quite lonely here.

BYOGF

I'm guessing that's either, BRING your own girlfriend, or BUY your own girlfriend...hmm

Cute chix at the 13th Floor, at least on the night I was there . . .

Well Yes, you are right...Bangalore, though seems quite modern..but infact is quite dull for an outsider.
In Bangalore, things do happen and nightlife can be great but for that, you need to know people who live in Bangalore and are into this kinda lifestyle. It like getting into 'that' kinda circle and if you are just traveling in India and B'lore being just one of your stops, it will be difficult. People in bagalore like to move with their own set of friends.
For the weekend club scene, try moving away from the city center (MG & Brigade roads) and towards Airport Road. Sorry, can't remember any names right now, it has been quite long since I left B'lore.
Also on certain weekends (you need to lookout for advertisements in the newspaper) 'The Club' on Mysore road (opposite Raj Rajeshwari Nagar gate) has some good club parties and sometime DJ flown in from outside B'lore.
Many popular palces in B'lore can have 'couples entry' only.

Otherwise, drop into Pecos (on Brigade road, next to Allen Solly shirt showroom), is good place for beer and great music. I've found it a great place (just the floor which has the bar) to meet & talk to complete strangers. There are some regulars like Appu and the manager called Elongo.
IMHO Mumbai is much more happening and much easier to talk to complete strangers and make friends. Delhi comes close 2nd but Delhi can be quite snobish at times.

All the best

I live in Bangalore but I totally agree that there is hardly anything at all worth doing in bangalore.... After all what are you doing in Bangalore at this time of the year

I shall pm you my number and if you really get bored, call me and we can meet up. Let two bored guys meet and talk about all the boring things in life and so on

Normally to anyone coming to bangalore, I pose this simple welcome question - Why Why Why are you coming to Bangalore ? Unless for work or to get over the culture shock.... there is no good reason to be in Bangalore for a traveller...

Sad but true (at least for me)

If you are alone you’ll be a lone spectator to all these, more than a participant. Male or female lone people have fewer things to do in a socializing or a party like setup. That is how it is in India by and large. Slowly make your own little circle and arrive the seen in style, you can feel the difference

.. I think josh may be making a small reference to 'fellow' Western travellers ( women in his case.. )

I have to be in some slight agreement that I have found making contact with other female 'travellers' more difficult in India than in many other places..

I consider myself a very open & friendly guy, yet seem to get the impression that ( not just in Bangalore ) female travellers are either by in large travelling with their 'guy'.. or in pairs with periscopes up ready for any potential male 'danger'..

Now, this may have something to do with the harrassment ( perceived or actual ) they anticipate coming.. but I can assure you, there is no real threat. This is not Ibiza and many guys travelling out here are certainly going to be more interesting than someone you may meet at home !

I think there may be many unfortunate "barriers" to ANY travellers 'meeting' or saying 'hello' (snobbery maybe ? I'm in Thanjavur at the moment, and the traveller hierarchy thing is really getting on my nerves.. ).. Those glances.. " who are you ? I'm surely the only adventurous enough to be here.. This in MY India " etc etc..

OK, a little weary and hot at the moment, but let's drop the synicism !

IMHO of course ...

Josh, once you have spent two weekends in Bangalore hittin all the nightspots, decide which one you prefer most 3-4 visits (weeks) later people would open up. I don't know if this still happens but xmas new years you get a lot of out of towners and they would be looking to socialise just like you do. Nevertheless Bangalore's nightlife has got all too samey and boring and I think it's going to remain that way. I remember the early 90's and 98 when I visited Bangalore things used to be a lot different, chatting up was no different than in the west, I returned in 2001 to live there and found things had changed drastically. A friend of mine in Chennai tells me it has a lot to do with drinks being spiked and the like, girls just won't entertain a total stranger anymore. "The club" is a drab now but try xmas or new years it just might be different.

Butterball, know what you mean, its a few degrees worse for me, even the men won't talk to me :P, being of Indian descent I have been taken for a tout when I offered to share a taxi and an auto driver's mate while waiting at at a take away" "Are you free?" was the query to the auto driver, I almost screamed back "no it's occupied you b@#!@#d, don't you see me sitting in here ?" By the way this only happens with non English speakers

Yep, this is an interesting point.

As a policy I never go and say hi to someone (specifically foreign tourists) at a place like restaurant etc. The place I live tons of tourists just move around. I don’t even try to help anyone appear to do something by mistake or something like that. I mean, unless I’ve been asked for help.

The problem is with the mistaken identity. I don’t want to be taken as a tout or whatever even in the slightest way even for a moment.

The only place I ‘melt’ a bit is probably in a train or bus or place or something like that where there is already a sort of ‘equation’ established between people.

When a connection is established, in all the cases it has been pleasant.

There were cases where people asked me ‘Why don’t you come with me to Varanasy?, I’ll pay the whole train tickets etc for you! ’.

“ For what?? No!!! I’m living here, I’ve commitments.”
(who said indians can't say no)

....…..it’s the other side of the story folks.

Hey Josh
I mgithn't be your dream girl BUT I'd be happy top catch you up a meal/chat/etc. I'm arring in Bangalore tonight for a few days to find my feet before heading off into India's wide exciting yonder.
Nothing worse than wandering a city on your own & feeling lonely
PM me if you want to catch up
CYA
Happy travels

Josh, just realised you are merely "travelling" and not an expat, ignore my advice, sorry

Hey josh...well don't feel bored it happens with everyone ...
try to go PEECOS,STYX,CosmoVillage,Insom nia...
i was in bangalore for 4yrs ...i know that preety well u must go to Funnoooooooooooossssssssss.... .they give Awesome Beef rol or Mutton Shourma....
and bout bangalore girls....well they take time....comeon u r in india....but i tell you in bangalore girls got something in their unlike delhi gilrs...oh goush ...this place sucks.....
anywayz have a nice time there... :

Yeah Beach I have come across "that hotel is closed" or "ATM ? yes I know,50 rs ! " when there was an ATM just 50 metres the other way but I wouldn't try to help. I found Indians from London the most suspicious lot, they trust nobody.

Fanoos' rolls were too spicy.

Wow... so many replies! Thanks guys. Well, I did end up meeting up with a group of 6 guys and ended up at a live bar and they are having a house party tonight. I also met a student giving a presentation at a supercomputer conference held only a few blocks from my hotel which I attended today. Last night was spent at Purple Haze, not really meeting anyone, but dancing, singing and having a good time by myself. Well, thanks for all the advice! Today is my last night so I think I'll head to airport road (hopefully people party on Sunday's??) OK Seeya.