......................................................................................Clubs & Discos

 HEADQUARTERS 

Headquarters came ever so close to becoming the only discotheque in India in which an American President shook a leg. But Bill Clinton who graced Café Royal downstairs did not climb up to this four year old disc. Many others do and swear by it. HQ as it is more popularly known plays all kinds of music, from hip-hop, house, techno, dance, Latino, trance, some 80's stuff, etc. The music reflects the crowd at HQ, all sorts, from youngsters to oldies. Alternate Fridays are trance nights. The DJs are Ryan and Alex. Ryan, unbelievably, has been with HQ from day one. HQ has a cover charge of Rs 500/- per couple on weekends and Rs 400/- per couple on weekdays. On weekdays mixed groups are allowed, but weekends the entry is strictly for couples.

Timings : 8:30 pm onwards (Monday closed)
All credit cards accepted.
Valet parking.
Address: Café Royal, opposite Regal theatre, Colaba,
Mumbai 400 001.
Phone: 288 3982

 MADNESS 

If any dance number can get your feet tapping, then Madness is the place for you. The disc is not associated with any particular brand of music. It is perfectly willing to play any request. They would prefer not to play Hindi, but do oblige deshi requests. So be prepared for a motley of numbers. The discotheque is open in the afternoon from 2 to 6:30 pm exclusively for college students. The music, needless to say also remains young and very techno. Form 8 to 1.30 in the night, the disc reopens to slightly older patrons and music. Madness has two dance floors in two separate rooms. One of them is frequently lent out for private parties. If not, you have the choice of two different music tracks in the two rooms. Events at Madness include one 'Drum and Bass' night, one live rock performance and one theme party per month. Thursdays are exclusively disco. On Wednesdays and Fridays, airline crew, executives from travel and tourism sector and advertising and media incur no cover charge, provided they come in couples or mixed groups. Ditto for hoteliers on Sundays. Madness does not charge any entrance fees, but patrons are liable to pay a cover charge of Rs. 100/-. Stags are not accepted.

Timings : 2 pm to 6:30 pm; 8 pm to 1.30 am
All credit cards accepted.
Valet parking.
Address: Hotel Ramee International, S V Road, Khar,
Mumbai 400 052.
Phone: 6485421 / 22 / 23

'Anything goes' seems to be the theme here. Grand Canyon plays any music that suits the crowd. That could be techno, trance hip-hop, reggae, rock. They are not shy of playing Hindi pop either. There are no special themes or nights. The only theme to be found is in the décor - western. So you have saddlery and harnesses lying about, pictures of Clint Eastwood and such. The place has been newly renovated but the theme remains the same. The crowd is stretches from teenagers to the middle-aged. Stags are allowed, though not too many of them. There is a cover charge of Rs. 150/- per person, though couples and room guests have free entry.

Timings : 7 pm to 1 am
All credit cards accepted.
Address: Hotel Kumaria Presidency, Andheri-Kurla Road, Marol, Mumbai 400059.
Phone: 825 2601

Located just next to the domestic airport, Avalon is a hangout of the young. The crowd is basically between 20 to 30. The music goes with the crowd favourites and the latest hits are played. There is also a pool parlour that is attached to the disc. There is an entry of Rs. 400/- per couple. Stags are also allowed in, but it will put you back by Rs. 300/- on weekdays and Rs. 500/- on weekends. Monday night is the aircrew night when they get free entry.

Timings: 10 pm onwards
All major credit cards accepted.
Valet Parking
Address: Hotel Bawa International, Nehru Road,
Vile Parle (East), Mumbai 400 099.
Phone: 6113636

 TWICE AS NICE 

Twice as Nice is a ‘restobar’ - a bistro by day and a disco by night (pardon the rhyme). That should explain the name. The restaurant specialises in Continental food and fusion food. Some Indian dishes also feature in the menu. Late evening the atmosphere changes to suit the night birds. You have a dance floor, the DJ, and the rest that go with it. The music is basically club music and oldies. There are not too many teenagers here, and the clientele is mostly above thirty. Other attractions include the back lit pool table and the large screen video. There is a cover charge of Rs. 300/- per couple. Stags are not allowed in. Twice as Nice plans to come with theatre nights, stand up comedy nights, Karaoke and live performances shortly. Watch this space.

Timings: Bistro - 12 noon to 4 pm; Disc – 7:30 pm to 1: 30 pm
All major credit cards accepted.
Address: Hotel Parkway, Ranade Road Extension, off Cadelle Road, Shivaji Park Seaface, Dadar (West), Mumbai 400 028.
Phone: 445 3361 to 63