Colaba has been cross examining new arrivals since the Raj. Bullet holes, jukeboxes, permit rooms and the first bar license in the city, all within a square kilometre of the Gateway.
- 1 · The Cold Open
Leopold Café
Trading since 1871 and it has outlived empires and terror both. The 2008 bullet holes stay in the wall by choice, which tells you everything about the house's spine. Chilled Kingfisher, mutton dhansak, witnesses everywhere.
est. 1871 · from morning · verified Jul 2026
- 2 · The Detour
Café Mondegar
Mario Miranda painted the walls and the jukebox has been arguing with the ceiling fans since 1932. Draught beer, cartoons watching you drink. The city's longest running comic strip.
est. 1932 · from morning · verified Jul 2026
- 3 · The Anchor
Trishna
Butter garlic crab that has broken stronger negotiators than you. Six decades of coastal seafood in a room the size of a chambers office. Order the crab, surrender to the bib, accept the verdict.
six decades in Fort · dinner · verified Jul 2026
- 4 · The Wildcard
Gokul
The permit room behind the Taj where sailors, journalists and off duty bartenders drink at prices the boardrooms upstairs will never learn. Old Monk and soda, no apologies. The honest stratum of Colaba.
Colaba's permit room · evening till late · verified Jul 2026
- 5 · The Last Call
Harbour Bar, Taj Mahal Palace
License number one, granted 1933, the first bar in Bombay and it carries itself accordingly. The Gateway of India floats outside the window while a slow cocktail does its work. Judgment reserved, room key upstairs.
est. 1933, license no. 1 · till late · verified Jul 2026 · 🏨 the night ends at The Taj Mahal Palace