Leopolds

Ouzodave · Mar 30th, 2008, 02:05

I am flying into Mumbai next month and i will be checking into my hotel Friday in the early afternoon. I then want to unwind in a bar and Leopolds seems to be the place that people talk about. Is upstairs in Leopolds the place to meet the weird and wonderfull of Mumbai? and can i get Chicken 65?

machadinha · Mar 30th, 2008, 03:02

I think you'll more likely meet the backpacker scene mixed in with the younger nouveau riche of Mumbai, with the overpriced uninspiring food to match.

Other than that, it's quite OK for a (bloody expensive) beer and unwinding and watching the world go by (better done on the terrace by the street if it's still there), certainly just after arrival.

btw It's been a while, no idea what it's like today. But that's the way I remember it, I'd be very surprised if it had essentially changed all that much, being the institution renowned for just this that it is. Depends on your taste no doubt, I imagine some wile away their holiday there.

zoltan · Mar 30th, 2008, 05:54

Not sure about getting to meet anyone there.

When I was there (Nov. 06) it was full of westerners drinking kingfishers and keeping to themselves. No one there seemed to be interested in anyone else apart from those on their table.

There are certainly a lot of places to visit for good food, drink and company in Mumbai - Leopolds just isn't one of them.

Cheers
Zoltan

mr_rush · Mar 30th, 2008, 06:50

yeah i wasn't impressed with the food or the clientèle

ninasimone · Mar 30th, 2008, 06:58

Ditto above..however you can still go and see for yourself.

ananda2193 · Mar 30th, 2008, 09:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoltan

No one there seemed to be interested in anyone else apart from those on their table.

It is a restaurant for christs sake. When have you ever been to a restaurant where people are interested in people at other tables?

And I must admit, I was first there about 20 years ago and it was an old colonial atmospheric type of place, full of charisma like Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, but I went back a few years ago and it was totally refurbished in a plastic McDonalds sort of way which really turned me off to the place. But it is a good place to meet other travelers and next time in Bombay, I will check it out for old times sake!

obione980 · Mar 30th, 2008, 09:43

I suspect Zoltan meant that - unusually for a social hub - singleton drinkers kept to themselves. As a one time 'road warrior' I sought out the places where people sitting on their own would chat to others on their own. Met many interesting locals that way.

steven_ber · Mar 30th, 2008, 09:50

Some of the bars around the back of the Taj Hotel (Gateway) are better for meeting Indians, though they're often Indian tourists, the bars also serve food.

Ouzodave · Mar 30th, 2008, 18:44

Well i will check out Leopolds as it's an institution. I don't want to chat to people having meals that would be a bit weird. I thought there was a bar upstairs but anyways i will find out myself and report back

Ok guys what bars/drinking dens do you recommend? Will check out behind the Taj but i heard it's a bit rough behind there or is this the Lonely Planet a bit off the mark again?

goanmad · Mar 30th, 2008, 20:25

Cafe Mocha on Marine Drive's pretty cool. We got chatting to lots of friendly Indians over Shisha pipes and very pricy imported beer.

In our opinion Leopold's was a big let-down. The food looked dreadful, hundreds of westerners asking the waiters to take their photos and filming each other.

aadil · Mar 30th, 2008, 21:05

Leopolds has two sections - the one below is the normal restaurant with cheap food and drinks too. The tables are generally full of people so you may have to wait for some time to get one and you can also buy some of the "Leopold Cafe" souvenirs that they have on sale. You may also get asked if you wish to act as an extra in some Bollywood movies too!!! The section upstairs is a dimly lit, air-conditioned, smoke filled bar / pub with unbearably loud music. The food is the same but the prices are slightly more for the extra services provided. If you have read Shantaram then you will be pleased to know that it's author Gregory David Roberts also pops in sometimes when he is here!!! The food is nothing to die for and the only good thing is the prices that are not too high. Some of the dishes are good and you also get discounts on drinks if you pay by credit card. Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Aadil.

Ouzodave · Mar 30th, 2008, 22:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by aadil

The section upstairs is a dimly lit, air-conditioned, smoke filled bar / pub with unbearably loud music.

That's the ticket

skinnylizard · Mar 31st, 2008, 12:27

i for one have never been to Leopold and its concocted history. place always seemed way too dingy.

you can meet people almost anywhere. nothing special about Leo

jyotirmoy · Mar 31st, 2008, 12:34

The owners of Leopold should pay Mr.Gregory David Roberts for the pulicity.
I had been to Leopold way back in 1997 what I remember is that if you opted to pay by credit card they would take your card & keep it with them till you ask for the bill. Pretty odd !!!

puchoo · Mar 31st, 2008, 12:40

That happens in Delhi as well in a lot of places which get a huge traffic..for example TC's before it moved.... the idea is to keep tabs on the number of drink you are having...they keep entering it on a bill which is kept next your CC...

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyotirmoy

The owners of Leopold should pay Mr.Gregory David Roberts for the pulicity.
I had been to Leopold way back in 1997 what I remember is that if you opted to pay by credit card they would take your card & keep it with them till you ask for the bill. Pretty odd !!!

Mar 30th, 2008, 02:05	#1
Ouzodave Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Stoke-On-Trent Posts: 209	Leopolds I am flying into Mumbai next month and i will be checking into my hotel Friday in the early afternoon. I then want to unwind in a bar and Leopolds seems to be the place that people talk about. Is upstairs in Leopolds the place to meet the weird and wonderfull of Mumbai? and can i get Chicken 65?

Mar 30th, 2008, 03:02	#2
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,144	I think you'll more likely meet the backpacker scene mixed in with the younger nouveau riche of Mumbai, with the overpriced uninspiring food to match. Other than that, it's quite OK for a (bloody expensive) beer and unwinding and watching the world go by (better done on the terrace by the street if it's still there), certainly just after arrival. btw It's been a while, no idea what it's like today. But that's the way I remember it, I'd be very surprised if it had essentially changed all that much, being the institution renowned for just this that it is. Depends on your taste no doubt, I imagine some wile away their holiday there. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

Mar 30th, 2008, 09:43	#7
obione980 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Brisbane Posts: 100	Bars should be social places! I suspect Zoltan meant that - unusually for a social hub - singleton drinkers kept to themselves. As a one time 'road warrior' I sought out the places where people sitting on their own would chat to others on their own. Met many interesting locals that way.

Mar 30th, 2008, 09:50	#8
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London, England. Posts: 8,924	Some of the bars around the back of the Taj Hotel (Gateway) are better for meeting Indians, though they're often Indian tourists, the bars also serve food. __________________ . How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions. Train information.

Mar 30th, 2008, 21:05	#11
aadil Aircraft Service Engineer, Astronomer & Traveller Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Mumbai, India. (Lat 18.967 N, Long 72.833 E, Alt 11 m) Posts: 1,802	Leopolds has two sections - the one below is the normal restaurant with cheap food and drinks too. The tables are generally full of people so you may have to wait for some time to get one and you can also buy some of the "Leopold Cafe" souvenirs that they have on sale. You may also get asked if you wish to act as an extra in some Bollywood movies too!!! The section upstairs is a dimly lit, air-conditioned, smoke filled bar / pub with unbearably loud music. The food is the same but the prices are slightly more for the extra services provided. If you have read Shantaram then you will be pleased to know that it's author Gregory David Roberts also pops in sometimes when he is here!!! The food is nothing to die for and the only good thing is the prices that are not too high. Some of the dishes are good and you also get discounts on drinks if you pay by credit card. Hope this helps. Cheers, Aadil. __________________ Climb high; climb far; Your goal, the sky, Your aim, the stars!!!

Mar 30th, 2008, 05:54	#3
zoltan Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 510	Not sure about getting to meet anyone there. When I was there (Nov. 06) it was full of westerners drinking kingfishers and keeping to themselves. No one there seemed to be interested in anyone else apart from those on their table. There are certainly a lot of places to visit for good food, drink and company in Mumbai - Leopolds just isn't one of them. Cheers Zoltan

Mar 30th, 2008, 06:50	#4
mr_rush Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: UK Posts: 102	yeah i wasn't impressed with the food or the clientèle

Mar 30th, 2008, 06:58	#5
ninasimone Here comes the Sun Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: sydney australia Posts: 192	Ditto above..however you can still go and see for yourself.

Mar 30th, 2008, 18:44	#9
Ouzodave Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Stoke-On-Trent Posts: 209	Well i will check out Leopolds as it's an institution. I don't want to chat to people having meals that would be a bit weird. I thought there was a bar upstairs but anyways i will find out myself and report back Ok guys what bars/drinking dens do you recommend? Will check out behind the Taj but i heard it's a bit rough behind there or is this the Lonely Planet a bit off the mark again?

Mar 30th, 2008, 20:25	#10
goanmad Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12	Cafe Mocha on Marine Drive's pretty cool. We got chatting to lots of friendly Indians over Shisha pipes and very pricy imported beer. In our opinion Leopold's was a big let-down. The food looked dreadful, hundreds of westerners asking the waiters to take their photos and filming each other.

Mar 31st, 2008, 12:27	#13
skinnylizard Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bombay Posts: 582	i for one have never been to Leopold and its concocted history. place always seemed way too dingy. you can meet people almost anywhere. nothing special about Leo __________________ My Eating Out Blog blog

Mar 31st, 2008, 12:34	#14
jyotirmoy Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 4,384	The owners of Leopold should pay Mr.Gregory David Roberts for the pulicity. I had been to Leopold way back in 1997 what I remember is that if you opted to pay by credit card they would take your card & keep it with them till you ask for the bill. Pretty odd !!!

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