It looks like traveling is a hobby for most people in the lifestyle. Of late, Bangalore has been emerging as a top destination for business travelers. We sometimes get asked by people about things to do in Bangalore. We thought let`s compile a list of `vanilla` and `chocolate` information about the city.
Vanilla Information
Airport
For people who are flying in, the airport is about 50 kms from the City. Except Sundays, all other days see mad traffic. We would recommend always to take an early morning or evening flight.
Weather
The weather is pleasant throughout the year, at least by Indian subcontinent standards. The summers are dry, hot but not humid. Winters are cool/cold depending on what you are used to!
Stay
If you want to bust the bank, you can look at JW Marriot, Oberoi or Taj West End for your hotel stay. Or if you are looking for a nice place to stay and spend most of the time outdoors, then there is a Taj Gateway on Residency Road or Taj Vivanta on MG Road. If you stay in any of these places, you are in the centre of the city. You can walk around or take short auto rickshaw/cab rides.
Commutes
Steer clear of the public transport unless you know where you are going and know the bus routes. At the time of writing, the metro (city trains) is still patchy and not fully completed yet. Uber cabs are available and there are other local cabs too.
Food
There`s lots of stuff to try!
Sodabottleopenerwala - Excellent and spicy parsi food. Good for lunch/dinner.
Shiro in UB City Mall - Japanese/Pan Asian restaurant. Good for lunch/dinner.
Caperberry in UB City Mall - For innovative continental fare. You may like it if you are into Heston Blumenthal style fusion food. Good for lunch/dinner.
Karavalli in Taj Gateway - Great coastal food from Karnataka and Kerala. Good for lunch.
Koshy`s on St Marks Road - Is an old hangout for typical Indian and Anglo Indian food. Good for breakfast/lunch.
MTR near Lalbagh - It`s the quintessential restaurant of the city. Very old and serves typical south indian vegetarian fare. If you are planning to go there for lunch, head there early.
Kanua in Sarjapur Road - It`s a bit away from the city centre but great coastal food again. It`s rated in the top 1000 restaurants of the world, if that means anything to you!
100 ft in Indira Nagar - Good continental fare. Good for dinner. Also, a nice place to have a quiet conversation.
Entertainment
The most common form of entertainment is the movie multiplexes. But, there is a thriving art, music and comedy scene too. Look up www.bookmyshow.com to have a look at the various events in town.
Bars/Pubs
There are plenty of bars/pubs in town. Most will close by 11 PM / 1 AM depending on the day of the week. Most play music too loud in case you are planning to have a secluded or quiet conversation with friends!
Skyye in UB City Mall - It`s a rooftop bar and has a nice view of the city.
Ann Harbour Pub - A good pub for dinner.
Humming Tree in Indira Nagar - Good pub food plus it has regular artists, musicians, standup shows all through the week.
Bierre Street in Whitefield - A nice microbrewery and restaurant. Good for dinner.
Craftworks in Whitefield - Another microbrewery and restaurant. Good for dinner.
Empire in various places – Spicy south indian food, including meat and sea food. Good for dinner.
Unlike some other Indian states, there is no prohibition. You can always buy good wine, liquor from various stores in the city.
Dance Clubs
Most of the 5 star hotels have a night club attached. Again, the same time curfew applies to them. We used to go to these clubs. But, not of late.
Chocolate Information
There aren`t any swinger or risque clubs in Bangalore, at least not any that we know of. Maybe there are some underground or private ones somewhere!
If you want to meet someone or a couple and play with them, you probably need a hotel that gives privacy. Our recommendation would be the Taj West End. It`s a hotel with rooms spread out and it has an old world charm. You could ask for rooms or suites that are secluded in the property. Trivia - Apparently, a young Winston Churchill once stayed there.
We realize others who live in or know about Bangalore may have more suggestions or recommendations. Please feel free to comment.
Raj ( male half of Silverpeople)
