Last weekend, as usual, was pretty much hectic and in my constant effort to get the best out of it I had to skip a few hours of sleep. As most of you would know by now, I work in evening shift and so after getting up at around 17.00Hrs, to my great misfortune, I had to spend 9hrs in office on a Friday evening (Totally F***ed up…!!!). Well anyway, like any other typical Friday, didn’t have much work to do and so ended up spending half the time on FB, Orkut & Gchat (Thank GOD we have access to everything…). After wrapping up with work (ahem…ahem…!) me, Vaibhav (my roomie) & Saravana (another colleague of mine) decided that the best way to kick start the weekend would be to have a lil’ drink, inspite of the fact that it was 05.00Hrs on a Saturday morning (lolz…)
Unfortunately, Chennai does not support the drinking crowd round the clock and neither does it offer a huge variety of options to choose from. We ended up settling for a bottle of some unknown brand of Rum. Well anyway…I had also booked ticket s for 10 people for Terminator 4: Salvation at Sathyam cinemas for the 10AM show. One of the most exciting things which I like is group activities like this, where you’d be following up with 4-5 different units, all driving towards the movie hall, etc. How was the movie…? Good, but definitely not as good as Terminator 2.
John Connor (played by Christian Bale), leader of the human Resistance, inspite of having a main role, does not create the nail biting, corner of the seat excitement that was there in the earlier ones. Sam Worthington, who plays the cyborg, creates no magic on screen either. I guess the biggest thing I noticed was that the plot and the story was kinda too obvious, that anyone could have skipped the first 3 parts of the series and still managed to understand the story. I guess a little more of interwoven scenes and story, to any of the previous releases would have made it better. Come what may, Arnie got a huge applause from the entire crowd the minute he came on screen. He probably could have contributed more for the movie, if it not had been for his current role as Governor and also his potential role in Austria’s politics as well.
As the story goes on, soon after the movie, since everyone was in a mood for some chilled beer and good music, we landed at Zara’s. Nice place…good crowd…good music, the only problem might probably be the limitation of the food menu to Spanish delicacies. But being a Spanish pub, u really can’t expect any tandoor dishes either. So after ‘making merry’ for a few hours, we had to leave in a pretty bad shape as one of my buddies got himself quite sloshed. After a lot of hard work and policing, I finally managed to bring him back home to bed. Worth mentioning that a day of no sleep+ 2 sessions of alcohol+ some physical work gets you completely into a different kind of frenzy and you feel like your dangling somewhere between heaven and hell. After hogging on some pizza’s accompanied by a good movie, we decided to go out partying again.
Much to my dismay, Coco-bongo was having a private party and so club access was restricted. Knowing that there’s no way that I’d step back home, without doing something, we decided to have dinner (at 02.30hrs…!). I gotta accept that, come what may, food in a 3 star hotel is still nowhere close to home cooked food. In any case, we got back home and watched ‘Fana’ till morning. Worth mentioning that since we were supposed to vacate the house on 1st July, we thought of cleaning up the place a little. Now, unlike most bachelor apartments, ours was already pretty clean and infact this surprised a lotta my friends too.
Pretty soon, we went shopping at this place called ‘Fashion Folks’. Do note that this place is more of a factory outlet for most branded clothes & accessories. As expected, I ended up spending quite a lot L and also bought an I-pod. Anyway, I headed back home pretty early as I had to meet up with a friend of mine for coffee at sunset. But Coffee turned out to be a pretty fulfilling snack at Subway with some really good ham, salami, greens and mustard sauce. I was a lil embarrassed to hog away in front of my dost, though. For those of you, who haven’t met my roomie- he can’t stand a weekend without a beer. So there we landed u again at Hotel Fortune’s bar again sipping on beer…relaxing by the pool…listening to some good classic MJ song (commemorating his death…sniff sniff…). Since they had to close down and the guys wanted to have a lil more, we grabbed some more alcohol at this shop close to my place, where u pretty much get it 24Hrs. Went for a small drive and later on crashed back at home by 02.00Hrs with ‘Scary Movie 1’.
Quite a hectic weekend; with literally no sleep from Friday afternoon to Monday morning. Hope the next few ones are bit relaxing, but I guess that would never happen since this weekend is running out of time slots already…!
As always, I had planned for a movie last weekend at Sathyam Cinemas. I was meeting up with one of my friends and I must say it was a very memorable one, with a special thanks to ‘Watchmen’. Not to mention that I ended keeping up with my unbreakable record- being late for the movie. Inspite of trying my best, I’ve come to this decision that I just cannot make it to any movie in time, ever in my life. Anyway, not sure how many of you guys had go though the torture of sitting for Watchmen for around 3 hours. Although I had gone though the reviews of this movie before booking the tickets, I was pretty confident that being a superhero movie, it would not be so terrible. Unfortunately I was wrong and I just can’t imagine the way my friend must have felt ‘bout this and fortunately I was quite happy that she didn’t let it bother her much.
Coming back to the movie,Silk Spectre (played by Malin Akerman) with her seducing scenes and intermittent nudity was by far the one force that was keeping most of the crowd in their seats. The role of Walter Kovacs was also not so critically required to the so-called plot of the movie. Dr. Manhattan however, with his super cool powers did kindle the imaginations of many. A major flaw with the movie was the introduction of multiple characters into it rather than the typical pattern of an English movie that revolves around 4-5 characters. By far the only good part was the animation, which might appeal to kids and to some sci-fi lovers. All in all, Watchmen is a definite ‘No-No’ to be seen at the theater. Personally I would’ve rated this movie a 2 out of 5 under normal circumstances, but since I ended up ruining 3 hours on a Saturday evening, which I probably could have spent at a classic diner, retro-pub or a disc, I guess I’ll have to give it a 1 out of 5. Thank God... for my friend who was there along with me; for she helped me survive the movie.
The best way to enjoy an exotic cocktail is to relax at this stylish bar which provides a fresh and comfortable setting to enjoy.
Covelong Beach,
Egmore,
Chennai - 600 008
Phone: +9144 6741 3333/3310
2. The Leather Bar (The Park)
The leather bar situated in The Park where the rich black leather floor blends into olive suede walls accessorized by glamorous artifacts and books on leather and fashion. The intimate space invites one to lounge in luxury while imbibing divine spirits from the skilled bartenders.
601 Anna Salai, Nungambakkam,
Chennai - 600 006
Phone: +9144 42144000
3. Fort St George (Hotel Taj Coromandel)
Arguably the most popular watering hole in town, Fort St. George is located at the lobby level of Taj Coromandel.
Fort St George,Hotel Taj Coromandel,
17, Nungambakkam High Road,
Chennai - 600 034
Phone: +9144 28272827
4. Zara Tapas
The tapas pub is the first of its kind in Chennai. The pub serves a wide variety of tapas (short eats) which are popular servings in Spanish pubs and to wash all that down, there is wide variety of cocktails. Cocktails are the preferred drink of customers at Zara's.
74,Cathedral Road Gopalapuram,
Chennai - 600 086
Phone: +9144 28111462
5. The Dome (Le Royal Meridien)
The Dome in Le Royal Meridien is located off the lobby; this bar serves a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and televises major sporting events. Open from 12-12pm all days.
The Dome (Le Royal Meridien),
1 GST Road, St Thomas Mount,
Chennai - 600 027
Phone: +9144 22314343
6. Flame Le Club (Le Royal Meridien)
The Flame Le Club in Le Royal Meridien with its Trendy sea front bar has a panoramic view of the swimming pool, landscaped gardens and the ocean
Flame Le Club (Le Royal Meridien)
1, GST Road,St. Thomas Mount,
Chennai - 600 027
Phone: +9144 22314343
7. Gallop (Radison)
Gallop a lunge bar located at the lobby level of hotel Radisson is based on a Polo theme and is reminiscent of an English Polo Club. Happy Hours: 4.00 pm to 6.30 pm
355, GST Road,
St. Thomas Mount,
Chennai - 600 016
Phone: +9144 22310101
8. Bike and Barrel (The Residency Tower)
The watering hole at the new Residency hotel is styled after pubs in England. The pub is laid out in 2 tiers with a large seating capacity. The walls of the pubs are decorated with souvenirs from English pubs.
Bike and Barrel
(The Residency Tower) Pondy Bazaar, T. Nagar,
Chennai - 600 017
Phone: +9144 22344747
9. Poker
Poker situated in Hotel Shelter is a exquisite bar which offers almost every appeasing spirit under the sun in cool harmony.
Provogue at Park Sheraton is the twin level lounge which has a big bar on the ground floor stocked with fine spirits, it also has small bar on the upper level. The crowd there is minimal, there's lots of space but the drinks especially the cocktail mixes are lousy. Its a great place if u like to lounge around, hangout with a snob crowd.
T.T.K. Road,
Shop # 132, Teynampet, Near Bus Stand,
Chennai - 600 018
Phone: +9144 24994101
11. Cambridge (Hotel Dee Cee Manor)
The Cambridge bar in Hotel Dee Cee Manor is situated at T.Nagar is a fully stocked bar with refreshing drinks located at the basement level.
87, G.N. Chetty Road,
T. Nagar,
Chennai - 600 017
Phone: +9144 28284411
12. Lexus (Benzz park Tulip)
Lexus situated in Benzz Park Tulip at T.Nagar is great place to unwind with an impressive collection of liquors.
Benzz Park Tulip,
41, Thirumalai Pillai Road, T Nagar,
Chennai - 600 017
Phone: +9144 28159999
13. Geoffrey’s (Radha Park Inn Hotel)
Geoffrey's at the Radha Park Inn Hotel, on the koyammbedu ring road. The pub is targeted as a place to meet and party for young adults. In addition to serving draught beer and other kinds of liquor, Geoffrey's is also bringing to Chennai its signature recipes.
Radha Park inn, 171,
Jawaharlal Nehru Salai,Inner Ring Arumbakkam,
Chennai - 600 106
Phone: +9144 24757788, 24750821
14. Million Dollars
Million Dollars situated in Vadapalani takes you on a ride to the Wild West where the head honcho mixes your drinks just the way you like them.
As ya'll must be aware of this chain of pubs, not much to say apart from the usual.
16. Havana
This pubs at Rain Tree, Near Park Sheraton. Pretty neat hang out with some good music and lil expensive food, but definitely worth the money.
17. 9 Feet High
9 feet high, Chennai's only Ocean bar, serves up a fizzy array of beverages, cocktails & mock-tails, complements by exquisite food offerings drawn from global cuisine. Get ready guys...!
Discotheques
1. Pasha
The Park, The place is small, but gets a real good crowd. The music is good with good dose of hip-hop, house and desi numbers. Special are the steep prices for alcoholic beverage, but not really a place to chill out. Entry they say is restricted to members & their guests only.
2. Sparks
The place is well laid out with trendy interiors. The dance floor is spacious and the sound system is really good. The place functions as a pub through the day while dancing starts later in the evening.
3. Dublin
The Irish pub cum discotheque at the Park Sheraton Hotel, the club has split level dance floors. The bar is supposedly Irish but who cares as long as it is well stocked. The club is frequented by celebrities & is still the most popular in the city. Though the club is spacious it can be real packed on theme nights. There is more room for improvement as service for members go. Dublin is open 7 days a week. Pub Hours: 5pm to 10pm. Dancing Hours: up to 12 Am.
4. Flame Le Club
Disco at the Le Royal Meridien, The place is not very hip with 'in' crowd. The service leaves more to be desired. The place lacks energy.
5. Platinum
Dance bar at Quality Inn Aruna (formerly HFO), Nungambakkam.
Located within Hotel Fortune, Thoraipakkam, OMR, this is by far the only discotheque in Chennai that opens up at 23.30 and stays open till 4.00, but only on Saturday nights. Entry free is around Rs.200 and the dance floor is not up to the mark, even for Chennai standards. However considering that late timings that its stays open for, this is definelty a neat hang out after your done at Dublin or Sparks.
24 Hours Open with/with-out Liquor
1. The Great Kabab Factory-Radisson Hotel in Chennai
Kabab speciality restaurant 121 Visitors in Last 30 Days
GRT Radisson Hotel,
531 GST Road,
Saint Thomas Mount
Phone: + 9144 2231 0101 Fax: +91 44 2231 0202
2. OSTERIA in Chennai
Fine wine & dine.
Hotel Deccan Plaza
36, Royapettah High Road
Royapettah
Chennai-600014
Phone: +9144 45130330, 45130440 Fax: +9144 66773344
3. Garden Cafe-Radisson Hotel in Chennai
24-hour multi cuisine restaurant
GRT Radisson,
531 GST Road,
Saint Thomas Mount. Phone: +9144 2231 0101 Fax: +9144 2231 0202
