Going out

BenV · Jul 2nd, 2006, 23:47

Apart from the occasional drink at the hotel bar, the luke warm beer or coke in our own room, I am greatly interested in going out at night and to mingle.
I myself am interested in more authentic teahouses, bars, dance shows, cinemas, et cetera, i.e. where more traditional music is played or preferably even performed, and the local people go and have a chai, lassi or any other beverage and to enjoy comradery, music and perhaps dance. (I reckon and certainly hope not only the nouveau-rich ITers go out as I have seen some footage of Indian discotheques which are too modern to my liking).

Are there nice places to go about at night? Can you name one or a few? (We go to Northern-India, but to keep this interesting for most of the forum dwellers I suggest you add those in Southern-India you know of too). Ah well, add those discotheques too..

BenV · Jul 2nd, 2006, 23:51

To start with:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aadil

When you are in Khajuraho you can visit the Kandariya center for dance performances at Rs300 per ticket and every evening they have one or two shows. It is a one hour performance of different folk dances from all over India.

BenV · Jul 12th, 2006, 20:21

Pubs In Delhi:
Pubs in delhi

Pubs In Bangalore:
Pubs in Bangalore
Any opinions on the top pubs and restaurants?

Going out in South India:
Going out in S.-India / Pubs, Clubs etc.

Nick-H · Jul 12th, 2006, 23:06

You can go to any "hotel" (translates as cafe), and eat ordinary, cheap food, with ordinary people. Choosing the "A/C Hall" will move you slightly upmarket.

You can buy a glass of Chai from a chai shop (just Rs2/50) and drink it standing on the pavement, once again, with the local folk.

You can do the same with fresh fruit juice from a juice shop --and be amazed that it cost maybe Rs10: how much do they charge back at the hotel ?

Just check these places look reasonably clean, and use bottled water...

There are posh coffee shops and fruit shops too, where the drinks cost Rs50+ --- there you can mix with the youngsters posing with their latest mobile and showing off to their (and other) girls.

I guess you can go to the cinema, but I don't like Western cinemas and hate Indian cinema, so I can't advise. I guess it would be a unique experience, though ...perhaps even I ought to do it just once, one day

.

You can be in the street: Indian street with their active kerosene-lit markets are a great place to be in the evening, when the climate is soft. Even the veg markets are magic

You can go to classical music concerts (most days, in this city).

---based on my experience of life here in Chennai. I know nothing of what most people call "nightlife" or pubs 'cos I don't do it.

Basically: life goes on here, come and join in!

BenV · Jul 13th, 2006, 02:42

Excellent reply! Thanks!

And I add to that: hotels/cafes often bring live music performances.. If the hotel/cafe is renown for its performances, it often says so in your travel guide (if it is sufficiently comprehensive).

Jip · Jul 14th, 2006, 05:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

You can be in the street: Indian street with their active kerosene-lit markets are a great place to be in the evening, when the climate is soft. Even the veg markets are magic

You can go to classical music concerts (most days, in this city).

Basically: life goes on here, come and join in!

Sounds great!! btw good info as well

Those music concerts, are they being held in the open or in some sort of 'venue' we can ask for when we get there?

Nick-H · Jul 14th, 2006, 10:11

Chennai has a music and dance "season" which runs from approx mid-december to approx mid-January. During this time there will be thousands of performances.

It is the hub of Carnatic (Southern Indian) classical music, and there are many halls and organistions presenting concerts all the year round. If you are only here for a day or two you may be unlucky, but most days there will be concerts or dance.

Some of the programmes are ticketed. In the season they can be quite expensive, as much as Rs500 to sit near the front! Others, and especially the out-of-season ones are sponsored (look for the words, "all are welcome"!) (a word of thanks here to Mr Nalli, of silk-shop fame, who seems to plough back a great deal of his fortune into the city's cultural life

)

Mostly they will not be open-air (use plenty of mossie repellant for the few that are!). Look, every day, in The Hindu newspaper for the Music, Dance and Drama listings....

Jip · Jul 15th, 2006, 04:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

It is the hub of Carnatic (Southern Indian) classical music, and there are many halls and organistions presenting concerts all the year round. If you are only here for a day or two you may be unlucky, but most days there will be concerts or dance.

Thanks for your info!

Unfortunately our journey is restricted to Northern India, althought we will miss these beautiful Carnatic concerts.
Still we hope to be lucky to visit Subramaniam-like concerts of course, but with our western eyes any indian music/dance festival will be a fantastic experience I guess! And if you are right, we are about to find out ourselves!

I am really looking forward to it!

We heard about the Tansen festival, where many famous indian musicians seem to perform and Carnatic musicians as well! It is held in november in Gwallior as far as we know, but regretfully we cannot find out the exact dates of this event

Jul 2nd, 2006, 23:47	#1
BenV Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Netherlands Posts: 137	Going out Apart from the occasional drink at the hotel bar, the luke warm beer or coke in our own room, I am greatly interested in going out at night and to mingle. I myself am interested in more authentic teahouses, bars, dance shows, cinemas, et cetera, i.e. where more traditional music is played or preferably even performed, and the local people go and have a chai, lassi or any other beverage and to enjoy comradery, music and perhaps dance. (I reckon and certainly hope not only the nouveau-rich ITers go out as I have seen some footage of Indian discotheques which are too modern to my liking). Are there nice places to go about at night? Can you name one or a few? (We go to Northern-India, but to keep this interesting for most of the forum dwellers I suggest you add those in Southern-India you know of too). Ah well, add those discotheques too..

Jul 12th, 2006, 23:06	#4
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 28,371	You can go to any "hotel" (translates as cafe), and eat ordinary, cheap food, with ordinary people. Choosing the "A/C Hall" will move you slightly upmarket. You can buy a glass of Chai from a chai shop (just Rs2/50) and drink it standing on the pavement, once again, with the local folk. You can do the same with fresh fruit juice from a juice shop --and be amazed that it cost maybe Rs10: how much do they charge back at the hotel ? Just check these places look reasonably clean, and use bottled water... There are posh coffee shops and fruit shops too, where the drinks cost Rs50+ --- there you can mix with the youngsters posing with their latest mobile and showing off to their (and other) girls. I guess you can go to the cinema, but I don't like Western cinemas and hate Indian cinema, so I can't advise. I guess it would be a unique experience, though ...perhaps even I ought to do it just once, one day . You can be in the street: Indian street with their active kerosene-lit markets are a great place to be in the evening, when the climate is soft. Even the veg markets are magic You can go to classical music concerts (most days, in this city). ---based on my experience of life here in Chennai. I know nothing of what most people call "nightlife" or pubs 'cos I don't do it. Basically: life goes on here, come and join in! __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Jul 12th, 2006, 20:21	#3
BenV Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Netherlands Posts: 137	Pubs In Delhi: Pubs in delhi Pubs In Bangalore: Pubs in Bangalore Any opinions on the top pubs and restaurants? Going out in South India: Going out in S.-India / Pubs, Clubs etc.

Jul 13th, 2006, 02:42	#5
BenV Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Netherlands Posts: 137	Excellent reply! Thanks! And I add to that: hotels/cafes often bring live music performances.. If the hotel/cafe is renown for its performances, it often says so in your travel guide (if it is sufficiently comprehensive).

Jul 14th, 2006, 10:11	#7
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 28,371	Chennai has a music and dance "season" which runs from approx mid-december to approx mid-January. During this time there will be thousands of performances. It is the hub of Carnatic (Southern Indian) classical music, and there are many halls and organistions presenting concerts all the year round. If you are only here for a day or two you may be unlucky, but most days there will be concerts or dance. Some of the programmes are ticketed. In the season they can be quite expensive, as much as Rs500 to sit near the front! Others, and especially the out-of-season ones are sponsored (look for the words, "all are welcome"!) (a word of thanks here to Mr Nalli, of silk-shop fame, who seems to plough back a great deal of his fortune into the city's cultural life ) Mostly they will not be open-air (use plenty of mossie repellant for the few that are!). Look, every day, in The Hindu newspaper for the Music, Dance and Drama listings....

User Name		Remember Me?
Password