Whether it’s a weekday or a weekend, exploring dive bars in your city is a fun sport we bet most of you dream about. After all, a dive bar is THE place to relax after a long day at work. However, let us tell you that we explored three of Versova’s most iconic dive bars – and we have our verdicts ready. Oh, for that, you must keep reading till the end of the article!
Versova Dive Bars: Who Won The Battle?
A Brief ‘Dive’ Into The History Of Dive Bars
You might wonder what is so ‘dive’ about such low-key bars? Well, the history of how ‘dive bars’ came to be is quite intriguing, taking us to the United States of America. The term ‘dive bar’ is said to have first appeared in the New York Herald in 1871. Later, it appeared in an edition of Harper’s Magazine. The term was initially used in the context of ‘opium-smoking dives’. However, it was in 1886 that the term was used purely in the context of bars.
It referred to a bar that was mostly situated in the lower part of a building, at the building’s base. Dive bars were called so that one had to dive down through the entrance to reach the bar, which was often in the basements of buildings. Over the years, some dive bars escaped from the basement but still retained the unique term used to refer to them.
Enter a dive bar and you’ll feel like you’ve entered a dingy, dimly lit room with a few tables and chairs. This is the vibe dive bars are known for. They’re small, unglamorous, and often filled with eclectic design. The decor isn’t paid much attention to, and drinks are often cheap. Dive bars are usually more popular amongst the locals than tourists or outsiders, which lends these places a more relaxed, laid-back, and homely vibe.
Mumbai has plenty of dive bars – some of which have remained to see the light of the day even today. For our dive bar expedition, we decided to pick the ever-happening neighborhood of Versova. It is best known for its beaches, expensive properties, fancy cafes, and of course laidback dive bars!
Our First Dive: Therapy
If you’re confused, let us be clear that we did not go for therapy! Instead, we made our way to Therapy, the casual drinking place in Versova. As you enter the bar, you’ll be delighted to know that it does a good job of capturing the essence of a dive bar. We quickly grabbed our seats and went in for the drinks. The setting is quite intimate, with neon signs of purple instantly setting the mood. However, we noticed that the music was a bit too loud, so loud that you might have difficulty hearing your dive bar partner!
We ordered Desmondji Tequila as well as Absolut Vodka. To go with the drinks, we decided to savor some fries and butter garlic prawns – and they did a fantastic job! What we noticed here was that the menu was slightly pricier. The drinks, the food, and even the water here was pricier compared to a few other bars. With a total bill of INR 2,468 for two people, we felt that Therapy was indeed pricey!
Address: Under Versova Metro Station, Shop No. 11 & 12, Shiv Shopping Centre, JP Road, Convent Ave, Versova, Andheri West, Maharashtra – 400053
Timings: 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM
Also Read: The Hottest New Bars In Lower Parel: Kerala Quarters And Permit & Co.
Our Second Dive: Bottles
After vibing our way through Therapy, we made our way to the second spot in Versova, a dive bar by the name of Bottles. This place had a completely different ambiance from Therapy, and we were pleasantly surprised. It was a lot quieter and laidback, especially when you compare it to the loud and neon-lit atmosphere of Therapy.
We ordered our usual tequila and a plate of Chilli Chicken to go with. As we gulped down tequila with the complementary plate of chakli – a staple chakna item, we received our plate of Chilli Chicken. Needless to say, it was extremely delicious! We ended up paying a bill of INR 1,684, and we were quite surprised by the affordable price.
Address: Shiv Shopping, 16, JP Rd, near Bon Bon, Gharkul Society, Seven Bungalow, Andheri West, Mumbai, Maharashtra – 400053
Timings: 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM
The Third Dive: Quarter Deck
Quarter Deck is a place that caught our eye mainly because of its more ‘open’ atmosphere. We could see families, friends, and youngsters sharing the same space as they sip on their drinks. Usually, bars don’t have this kind of setting. Plus, Quarter Deck has both indoor and outdoor seating, so you have a few options to choose from when you visit the place.
Without any delay, we ordered our drinks and got a plate of Gunjali Kebabs and Bombay Duck Tawa Fry each. The food was undeniably awesome, and so was the bill! We paid a total of INR 2,074 – not too pricey, not too cheap, but somewhere in the middle of both. For the price we paid, we found the food and drinks to be worth the money.
Address: Ratan Nagar Ln, Gita Prakash Society, Ratan Nagar, Four Bungalows, Andheri West, Mumbai, Maharashtra – 400058
Timings: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Our Final Verdict
Ambiance: The ambiance at Therapy was surely quite suitable for a dive bar – lit with neon signs and intimate seating, but if you are someone who does not like loud DJs, it is best recommended to show up on a weekday before 8 PM. When it comes to Bottles, the ambiance was more laid-back and cozy compared to Therapy. Quarter Deck had a more wholesome, open, and expansive space, however, it could use some more character.
Value for Money: In terms of value for money, we found Bottles to be the best among the three. Therapy scores low mostly because of its overpriced menu, while Quarter Deck does a decent job of giving you value for your money.
Overall, if you are looking for a good dive bar in Versova, we highly suggest that you visit either Bottles or Quarter Deck, depending on what kind of ambiance you prefer. If you are someone who loves a quieter, laid-back ambiance where you chat with friends for hours and have affordable drinks, Bottles is the place for you. If you’re hanging out with family and friends, you must visit Quarter Deck.
Also Read: Exploring Hidden Gems of Versova: A Day of Beer, Street Food, and Struggles
Summing Up
Here is our in-depth ‘dive’ into three of Versova’s dive bars – Bottles, Therapy, and Quarter Deck. We looked for parameters like good ambiance and great value for money, and certainly found clear winners for each of them. If you are going bar-hopping next weekend, make sure to visit these places. And don’t forget to suggest some more places in Mumbai for our dive bar expeditions! Cheers!
