Blue is the new Pink

The latest pub-on-the block promises the world to women but falls short on the location

Touted as India's first ladies only pub, Blue Tantra seems to have only those women in mind who work in the neighbouring IT, Telecom and BPO hubs located amidst vast stretches of nothingness on the Outer Ring Road.
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For this pub located in Hotel Sammuk on the Bellandur stretch is too out-of-the-way for the ladies to hop, skip and jump across town during a night out.

Opened in March, Blue Tantra had a swanky launch a couple of weeks back with many-a Page 3 regular making an appearance.



But on the Couple's Evening (Saturdays and Sundays) we walked in, the pub was empty except for a lone twosome in a corner probably on an after-work date.

The pub might be called Blue Tantra but the dominant colour scheme definitely is purple. A word of caution: do not wear white and transparent is completely out.

This is because the harsh ultra violet lighting will not spare you any modesty. The ceiling is dotted with fluorescent stars and gives the impression of a claustrophobic planetarium.

The purple walls come with illustrations and silhouettes of athletic ladies jumping, diving and pirouetting (why, we wonder?). The tables lit up from below remind you of a flattened crystal ball.

But the sole marks for design ingenuity must go to the bar area where a crisper version of the menu is reflected onto the mirror lining the bar wall in shiny purple font of course.

The bar menu comprises of the usual list of cocktails, mocktails, shooters and shots. The pub also has reasonable offers up its sleeve for patrons.

During Women's Evening (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday)u00a0 for Rs 333, you get two cocktails and unlimited bar snacks with your drinks and Couple's Evenings (Saturday & Sunday) offer includes a choice of two cocktails (except for rum and tequila-based ones) two regular drinks along with a vegetarian and a non-vegetarian starter of your choice for Rs 555.

We decided to wisely skip the couple offer because the idea of waking up to a hangover on a Monday morning could only spell trouble.
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Instead we chose a Strawberry Margarita (Rs180), a mix of strawberry crush, triple sec and tequila and Madison Avenue advertising executive Don Draper's (from the hit American TV series Mad Men) favourite poison, the Old Fashioned (Rs 140): a cocktail containing whiskey, soda and Angosutra bitters (a concentrate of herbs and alcohol).

The Margarita packed in just the right kick from the tequila and the strawberry mellowed down the hit. The Old Fashioned turned out to be winner though with the simple untainted flavours of whiskey and soda lifted by the aromatic bitters.

Blue Tantra offers regular bar nibbles, burgers, pizzas and even steaks in mini portions. There is an Indian and Chinese menu on hand too. We decided to go local with the Chicken Pepper Fry (Rs 140), and then northwards with the Tandoori Bharwa Aloo (Rs 49) and the Tandoori Jhinga (Rs 189).

The Chicken Pepper Fry was spice central with peppers, green chillies and coconut bits forming a delicious layer of dry masala around bite-sized chicken pieces.
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The jhinga couldn't really go wrong because it wasu00a0 grilled shrimp after all with a hint of cinnamon and cardamom.

It was the Tandoori Bharwa Aloo that stumped us. We were expecting a spicy paneer filling but it came with a strange bland cheese filling that had toughened on the way from the kitchen to the table.

Our stomachs were satiated but we were already thinking about the lack of transport on this stretch while waiting for the tab.

Though Blue Lotus opens to service by 6.30pm in the evening, it only works for women who work or stay close by.

The bar's all male staff does instill confidence but it's the ride back home after the party that's the worrying bit.

At: 77/1 Outer Road Ring, Bellandur
Time: 6 pm to 11 pm
Call: 40983333
The women's evening and couple's evenings offer is valid till April 15.u00a0

Blue Tantra didn't know we were there. The Guide reviews anonymously and pays for meals.