From fancy cocktail bars, rooftop lounges and beach bars in the middle of the city, that is Mumbai for you in a nutshell. The true charm of Mumbai’s drinking culture does not lie in the fancy bars but in the variety of local bars spread across the city. We’re talking about those old school, affordable local bars that your parents probably frequented during their college years.
Today’s bar in focus is Konkan Sagar located near the Vakola signal in Santacruz East and honestly looking at this bar, you would have the same question, how a bar that looks super shady is actually from the inside.
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Let your imagination go wild, think of the shady local bar set up you can think of, this probably beats it, however, weirdly its part of its appeal. Nevertheless we walked right in and went straight for the AC section. A tiny space and basic interiors, not the most appealing but that’s what makes it unique. The bar has an unmistakable and infectious energy to it which allows you to let loose and enjoy yourself and by the end of the night we fell in love with the bar.
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So at first glance at the menu, our first thought was this was extremely affordable. The menu features a selection of Indian, Chinese and tandoori dishes, each one more appetising than the last. Weirdly, given how much food we ordered and paired with a variety of drinks, the entire experience felt significantly lighter than on the wallet. For drinks, we ordered a Budweiser beer, Bacardi Limon, and Oaksmith whisky. Nothing out of the ordinary or experimental, but that's hardly what you visit a place like Konkan Sagar for.
We started the night with a Bombli fry and a chicken tikka before gradually moving onto local favourites such as pav bhaji, bhurji pav but the main highlight by a landslide was the chicken lollipop. It’s the kind of menu you would expect to have at a typical old school bar in Mumbai.
The dish that tickled our fancy the most underwent our own fool proof litmus test for good bar food was the chicken lollipop. Our combination of drinks and food ensured that we not only left with a happy buzz but also a satisfied stomach.
Konkan Sagar isn’t about culinary innovation. It is about ordering your favourite comfort food, enjoying a few drinks with your friends and colleagues and enjoying an evening without worrying too much about the setting.
For another old-school drinking experience, budget friendly drinks and a comfortable vibe, check out Sandeep Bar in Mulund.
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Now you would imagine that after eating Pav Bhaji inside the bar, we would be satisfied. Nope, we hit up the Pav Bhaji stall right outside the bar. Naturally we couldn’t resist and we understood why we weren’t the only bar customers lining up for another round of Pav Bhaji. A few bites into it and we got the appeal. It was the perfect place to fill your stomach with something hot, buttery and most importantly filling after a long night of drinking. It was an unexpectedly satisfying way to round off our evening.
If you’re looking for stylish interiors, sophisticated cocktails and an elaborate dining experience, then Konkan Sagar is probably not your vibe, and that's fine. Although for affordable drinks, amazing food and an unapologetically local atmosphere, it's best to find your way to Vakola signal and look for Konkan Sagar. Despite our initial skepticism, the bar passed every criteria we set when evaluating a bar, which for the most part is just good vibes. Sometimes, the places you least expect turn out to be the ones worth talking about.
Our Ratings:
Address: 29, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Sen Nagar, Santacruz East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400055.
Approximate Price For Two: INR 550 (as listed on Zomato in the supplied reference).
Our visit to Konkan Sagar proved that a bar doesn't need fancy interiors or an impressive drinks menu to offer an enjoyable evening. So, would we recommend it to someone looking for a cocktail experience in Mumbai? Absolutely not, but if your evening plans entail catching up with friends, family or colleagues Konkan Sagar is the place for you. You are guaranteed a comfortable evening with drinks and food and while you’re at it, hit up the pav bhaji stall right outside.
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