India (Frommer's, 4th Edition) (205 page)

(off Cunningham Rd.;
080/41702030
) with its three-in-one choice of seating—the al-fresco Buddha Garden (cafe during the day), two bars and DJ’s spinning at Music Lounge, and classy dining at the Terrace to the background of jazz and blues—service however, is not good. At
Fuga
(No. 1 Castle St., Ashok Nagar;
080/4147-8625
or 98-4524-7914;
www.fuga.co.in
), elegantly wasted would be the way to be, if one had to blend in—it’s got plush interiors, a mix of hip-hop, house, and club seeing the night through, great food, and a trendy, well-heeled crowd—all at a whopping Rs 1,000 per couple. Not enough time for Goa? No worries—head straight for the terrifically chilled out
Opus
(Vasanthanagar,
080/2344-2580
), for its Goan ambience, local live acts in an open amphitheater, and reasonable food; given its proximity to the prime venue for international gigs, it’s perfect to pop in for a pre- or postconcert drink. On the other side of the fence, the Oberoi Hotel’s smart
Polo Club
combines deep leather sofas with the ubiquitous TV sports entertainment. The last word in exclusivity goes however to Leela’s
Library Bar
(
080/2521-1234;
www.theleela.com
), for which you will pay dearly but come away feeling like an English Lord—sink into a leather sofa, order a brandy, light up a cigar and leaf through a collectors item from the library.

It may be a bit muted during the week (which makes for romantic evenings), but come Saturday and Taj West End’s
Blue Bar
set amid greens is all set to bring the house down—well, in its own classy way of course.
Liquid
(Ista Hotel, Swami Vivekanada Rd.;
080/2555-8888;
www.istahotels.com
) is also very popular for its candlelit alfresco bar with live music and indoor lounge for chilly evenings. And while Mumbai’s
Geoffrey’s
brings its English Pub atmosphere to Bengaluru (Royal Orchid, Airport Rd.;
080/2520-5566
),
Dublin,
the watering hole at the ITC Windsor Sheraton (
080/2226-9898
), serves—yep, you guessed right—an Irish pub vibe.

(Note: A strict no-smoking law has been put into place in all public areas.)

Rejuvenation City: Tiptop Spas

Prompted by the emergence of an overstressed, well-heeled workforce, Bengaluru has a number of well-known luxury and medical spas. SPA.ce (70, Cunningham Rd.;
4132-7526;
www.spacethespa.com
; by appointment only), is a world-class stand-alone spa in the middle of the city that uses signature fragrances created by Ally Mathan. Of the hotel spas we recommend
The Spa
at Leela Palace Kempinski (
080/2521-1234
) and
Jiva
at Taj Residency; for more committed treatment programs, take a look at the following four luxury spas, all located about an hour outside Bengaluru. Aside from
Shreyas
(see “Where to Stay,” above),
The Golden Palms Spa
(
080/2371-2222
), owned by Bollywood director Sanjay Khan, is part of an upmarket resort that not only provides routine spa treatments, but is the spot for discreet cosmetic surgery and anti-aging treatments. The attitude toward pampering is more laid-back at the internationally affiliated
Angsana Oasis Spa and Resort
(
080/2846-8893;
www.angsana.com
), offering spa packages from $825 for 2 nights (including taxes, meals, airport transfers, and a few treatments). Neither of these spas will restrict your diet or ban smoking or alcohol, and on weekends you can wholeheartedly tuck into their barbeque and grilled cuisine. In contrast,
Soukya International Holistic Health Centre
(in Whitefield, 30 min. from Bengaluru;
080/2794-5001
through -5004;
www.soukya.com
) is a medical spa that focuses on therapeutic and complementary therapies. Run by Dr. Isaac Mathai, his nutritionist wife, Suja, and a battery of experts, this is a nonsmoking, alcohol- and meat-free spa where everything is low fat, low salt, low spice, and organic. The focus is on individually created “holistic wellness programs” (from Hawaiian hot stone to specialized Ayurvedic treatments) that strengthen the body’s immune system, including those belonging to some rather famous people, like healthy-living guru Andrew Weil, Fergie, Princess of York, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. (
Note:
If you are planning to continue to Goa from Karnataka, also take a look at
Swaswara
—a yoga retreat on the northern tip of Karnataka’s coast, bordering Goa.