In the lobby at the Oberoi Hotel, the Bayview is a faithful recreation of a colonial bar, with a full range of single-malt whiskeys and Cuban cigars. This is a watering hole for connoisseurs, and evenings feature live jazz music. Snack on treats from Japan, India and Europe while you unwind after a busy day of meetings. The barstools have good views over Marine Drive.

This popular Colaba restaurant transforms into a bar as the evening rolls on. There's ice-cold Kingfisher beer on tap and the jukebox features an eclectic selection of rock and pop records ­ Mondy's proudly advertises itself as the place 'to mix beer and music'. The food isn't bad either, though you'll have to arrive early to bag a table.

Irish theme pubs are popular the world over, and Mumbai is no exception. Green leather sofas and stained glass panels add a shamrock hue to this convivial watering hole, and the bar has draft Guinness and a good range of Irish whiskies. At weekend, Dublin attracts a mixed crowd of business travellers and Emerald Isle enthusiasts from the North Mumbai suburbs.

COLABA. A traveller institution, Leopold is crowded nightly with visitors from across the globe. The large open-plan dining room is an atmospheric place to enjoy Chinese, Indian and continental food ­ the tandoori and Irani dishes are particularly good. Come early for dinner then settle in for the evening with a beer tower (three pints in a glass canister) or a bottle of Indian wine.

Antiques and Asian objets d'art create the mood of a drawing room belonging to a colonial explorer at this swish bar in the Hilton Towers. This is a genteel place to drink, popular with business travellers and local entrepreneurs. The bar is well-stocked with international liqueurs and single Malt whiskies, and some seats have views of the ocean and Marine Drive.