Just six months after opening its doors in Lower Parel, Houdini has already become one of Mumbai’s most talked-about cocktail destinations. Inspired by the legendary escape artist Harry Houdini, the restaurant & bar combines theatrical interiors, inventive cocktails, and live magic performances to create an experience that feels delightfully different.
We sat down with founder Sasha Tasgaonkar to discuss the inspiration behind Houdini, the realities of launching an independent hospitality brand in Mumbai, the rise of experiential dining, and why subtlety – not gimmicks – is at the heart of everything they do.
Finding Houdini feels a little like discovering a well-kept secret. The facade is deliberately unassuming, revealing little of what awaits inside. And maybe that’s intentional.
It’s only after climbing a flight of stairs that the venue begins to unveil itself. Beyond the entrance lies a warm, intimate space that immediately invites you to slow down, settle in, and leave the chaos of the city behind.
The interiors strike a careful balance between grandeur and comfort. Designed by renowned interior designer Minnie Bhatt, the space draws heavily from Harry Houdini’s world of illusion, mystery, and escapism. We’re talking about rich textures, dramatic accents, vintage-inspired details, and playful visual tricks that come together to create a whimsical setting that does not become overwhelming.
The bar itself serves as an immersive tribute to the legendary magician. Every corner appears to hide a secret, encouraging guests to look a little closer. From floating lamps, illusion-inspired lighting, and sculptural columns to reimagined classical artworks, each element lends the venue a kind of theatrical intrigue that’s missing in most new restaurants and cocktail bars.
The more time you spend here, the more you notice. It's the kind of venue that almost demands a second visit simply because you know you've missed something the first time around.
One of the standout features is The Red Corner, a private dining room tucked away like an intimate hideout for groups seeking a more exclusive experience. And true to the venue’s commitment to immersive design, even the restrooms carry the theme forward!
Vintage-inspired touches, playful references to Houdini's legacy, and a pair of unexpected handcuffs add a dose of whimsical charm that might just catch you off guard!
Houdini’s menu mirrors the venue’s personality – it is playful, innovative, and full of unexpected surprises. Regional influences are woven throughout the menu, often appearing in combinations you wouldn’t ordinarily expect, but somehow work beautifully together.
The Maharashtrian Mezze is a great example of this innovation. Creamy hummus meets fiery thecha and crisp khakhra. It's a clever fusion that brings familiar local flavors into a contemporary format without losing their essence.
Among the small plates, the Flaming Hot Crunchy Sushi and Black Magic Khari Bruschetta stood out immediately. Both delivered on texture, spice, and flavor. The latter was particularly memorable, pairing juicy Kerala-style chicken with the humble khari – a beloved teatime staple!
The Flying Khow Suey arrived with a touch of theatrics that naturally drew attention, but thankfully the flavors lived up to the presentation. It was rich, creamy, and deeply aromatic, and every spoonful was worth it.
Another standout was the Edamame Houdini Money Bag, a delicate parcel filled with wok-tossed Chinese cabbage and glass noodles. Silky, velvety, and incredibly light, it practically melted in our mouths – and it's easy to see why it has become one of the restaurant’s crowd favorites.
For something heartier, the Gnocchi with Parmesan Cheese, Spinach, and Coriander Pesto felt like the culinary equivalent of a warm hug. Soft pillows of gnocchi coated in a rich, herbaceous sauce – what more could one ask for?
We wrapped up the meal with the Sea Salt No-Bake Chocolate Tart, a decadent finale that balanced richness and sweetness beautifully. Smooth, indulgent, and melt-in-the-mouth, it was the perfect ending to the experience.
It was pleasant to see that the menu had a hearty mix of both vegetarian and meat options to ensure that all kinds of diners felt welcomed. The menu is also not too complicated despite many of its dishes being innovative and playful.
A visit to Houdini would be incomplete without exploring its cocktail program, which strikes a balance between flavor, creativity, and subtle theatrics.
We sampled the Asian Tease, Passion Flash, and Mandarin Spiced Negroni, each showcasing a distinct personality.
The Asian Tease emerged as our personal favorite. A refreshing gin sour infused with lemongrass and pineapple, it is bright, tropical, and incredibly easy to sip. If fruit-forward, gin-based cocktails are your thing, this one’s likely to become your favorite too.
The Passion Flash is a vibrant long drink that combines passion fruit and mango with tequila, resulting in a refreshing cocktail that balances sweetness, spice, and citrusy brightness.
For those who prefer spirit-forward cocktails, the Mandarin Spiced Negroni is an excellent choice. Built around bold notes of gin, Campari, and aromatized wine, it arrives perched atop an icy citrus sphere, adding a touch of visual drama to an already robust and beautifully balanced drink.
Much like the space itself, the food and drinks at Houdini are designed to surprise you. Not through excess, but through thoughtful details, unexpected pairings, and flavors that linger long after the meal is over.
Sasha: My sister and I have been involved in hospitality for a long time, ever since I was in college, and I wanted to diversify that side of our business.
During the pandemic, I noticed there were gaps in the F&B space. Mumbai already has many excellent bars and restaurants, but I felt something was missing on the experiential side. There was also a disconnect between accessibility, affordability, and experience.
That’s where the idea for Houdini came in. Since it's inspired by a magician and escape artist, the concept is all about giving guests an escape from their everyday troubles.
Sasha: Some people were very excited about the concept and believed it had potential. Having my family’s support definitely helped too.
But there were also people who were hesitant to hand over prime real estate in Mumbai to someone who was just starting out. Many landlords would naturally prefer established brands, especially with so many international hospitality chains entering the city.
To overcome that, preparation became my biggest advantage. Whenever I met a builder or landlord, I would walk in with the entire concept ready, from the interiors and menu direction to the bar program. That level of preparedness helped people believe in the vision.
Sasha: Absolutely. Hospitality is an incredibly competitive industry right now.
We’re located in Lower Parel, a neighborhood constantly buzzing with new openings. When your neighbor is a major international brand with an enormous marketing budget, resources, and global visibility, it’s definitely a challenge.
That said, I think consumers today are becoming more aware and intentional. Many people actively seek out independent brands and local businesses with a personality rather than automatically choosing large chains, and that’s quite encouraging.
Sasha: Honestly, it's been amazing.
I never expected a new venue to receive this much love so quickly. What surprised me most was how open people were to trying something new. Guests would walk in saying they had seen us on Instagram or on a recommendation list and were excited to experience the space.
We have a mentalist perform on Saturday nights, a magician during Sunday brunches, and the interiors, food, and cocktails all bring in an element of theater. Together, it creates a complete experience rather than just a night out.
The response to our mentalist nights has been especially rewarding. People love having a magician come to their table and perform for 10 or 15 minutes. Our Sunday brunches, with its own menu and bottomless mimosas and bellinis, have also been a pleasant surprise. Seeing families, children, and groups all enjoying the experience together has been really fulfilling.
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Sasha: Honestly, with a concept like Houdini, it would be very easy to venture into the ‘gimmick territory’.
But from day one, we’ve consciously avoided that. We wanted the experience to be built around subtlety and what I call “silent drama”.
You won’t see smoke machines filling the room every five minutes or things flying around the room. Instead, it’s all in the small details.
Not every dish needs a theatrical element. Not every corner has to be adorned with a gimmicky detail. At the end of the day, the food has to taste great and that will always be the priority.
The same philosophy applies to the space. There are theatrical curtains, illusion-inspired lighting, hidden details, broken lamps, locks, chains, and even handcuffs incorporated into the design. But none of it is forced upon guests.
You’ll notice something new throughout your visit, and perhaps even discover new details when you come back again. That’s the kind of experience we wanted to create
Sasha: The idea was always to create a place where people could escape.
We were searching for names that reflected that idea. At the same time, I knew I wanted bold, maximalist interiors.
Funny enough, my sister and I were scrolling through Spotify one day when Dua Lipa’s song Houdini came up. We already knew Harry Houdini as a magician and escape artist, but suddenly everything clicked – it all made sense.
The name perfectly tied together the themes of escapism, theatre, and maximalism that we wanted the venue to embody. And that is when “Houdini” was born.
Sasha: The cocktail menu is inspired by two things: our global cuisine philosophy and the Houdini concept itself.
The menu was created by India’s first female bartender, Shatbhi Basu.
As our food draws influences from different cultures, the drinks do too.
We have cocktails featuring curry leaves, Japanese-inspired ingredients, and globally inspired flavor profiles. One of my personal favorites is the gin-based Asian Tease.
Then there are drinks that lean more into the theatrical side of Houdini, like the Passion Flash and Houdini’s Potion. Those cocktails bring together flavor and performance in a way that feels true to the concept.
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Sasha: Definitely.
One dish that’s very close to me is the Black Magic Khari Bruschetta. It combines Kerala-style chicken with a classic khari base and curry leaves.
The Maharashtrian Mezze is also very close to me, something that is unique yet palatable. It uses generous amounts of thecha along with hummus, served with crunchy khakhra.
I love bringing together hyper-regional influences from different parts of India. When done thoughtfully, those flavor combinations feel exciting without becoming overwhelming.
Sasha: Right now, I’d say the Mandarin Spiced Negroni.
It's bold, spirit-forward, and unapologetically itself.
There's a growing trend towards low-ABV cocktails, but Houdini does things differently. We're confident, theatrical, and spirit-forward, and the Negroni captures that perfectly.
Sasha: The Asian Tease is definitely one of my favorites, I must say!
The Passion Flash is another one I love. And since I'm a tequila person, our Jamun Picante from the summer menu is currently at the top of my list.
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Sasha: Every single day teaches you something in this business.
Operational challenges are constant, but the biggest lesson has been leadership. When you start out, you assume everyone will have the same passion and enthusiasm that you do. Then you realize that the passion you talk about is not a default mode you can simply toggle ‘on’ or ‘off’, it’s your responsibility to inspire that passion in others.
You have to sell your vision to your team before they can sell it to your guests.
Today, everyone, from our security team to our head chef, is passionate about Houdini. Watching that happen has been one of the most rewarding parts of the journey.
Sasha: Mumbai.
Sasha: Definitely a night owl.
Sasha: Ranveer Singh. He’s quirky enough for this space.
Sasha: Right now, the focus is on building a community of regulars and making Houdini a place people love returning to.
We’re also constantly innovating and experimenting. We have a monsoon menu coming up, and we’ll continue creating seasonal menus for occasions like Halloween and December.
So far we’ve done mango menus and even a Wicked-inspired menu, which people absolutely loved! Long term? I'd love to see more Houdinis popping up across Mumbai.
Address: Mathuradas Mill Compound, Plot 126, NM Joshi Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013
Timings: 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM (Monday to Thursday); 12:00 AM to 1:30 AM (Friday to Sunday)
Price for two: INR 2,300 without alcohol
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