COLABA. Sometimes smaller is better. Part bar, part restaurant, Busaba attracts a more discerning class of drinker in search of privacy and sophistication. The compact bar is well stocked with international spirits and wines, and the glazed terrace is the perfect place for an intimate date. Don't overlook the food menu ­ dishes from across Asia are prepared with a distinctive French twist.

The sophisticated rooftop bar at the Intercontinental Hotel offers stunning views over the 'string of pearls' ­ the sweeping illuminated promenade along Marine Drive. Drinkers sip cocktails and munch on Japanese-fusion snack food while the sun sinks into the Arabian Sea. After dark, light is provided by flickering candles and hidden glowing lanterns. Reservations are recommended at weekends.

During the racing season, from August to April, the bar at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse is crowded with gamblers celebrating big wins or drowning their sorrows after backing the wrong horse. With windows looking out over the turf, this is an atmospheric place to eat and drink, and the menu features crowd-pleasing dishes from India and Europe. Note that mobile phones must be left with security at the racecourse gates.

WORLI. Well, it was only a matter of time. The international Hard Rock Café chain has arrived in North Mumbai, bringing the full American theme bar experience to the west coast of India. If you've been to a Hard Rock Café before, you know what to expect ­ rock iconography, upbeat music and an energetic party mood. It's loud, brash and good fun.

Seijo & the Soul Dish is a taste of the future, transported to the present. Undeniably hip, Seijo would fit in perfectly in New York, Tokyo or Singapore. There are three bar stations decorated with Manga cartoons and a Zen-style terrace restaurant serving modern Asian delights. Even the toilets are contained in futuristic pods. Factor in an upbeat acid-jazz and funk soundtrack and quirky cocktails from the Americas and it's easy to see why the place is so popular.