08 September,2010 06:53 AM IST | | Dhvani Solani
For those who lost their favourite hangout when Henry Tham downed shutters last year, it's time to toast Trilogy. The Guide gives you an exclusive sneak peek of the newest nightclub in town
A blue square dances across the ceiling, hopping from one corner to another like it can't make up its mind on where to settle.
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Even as you follow its flight in a trance-like state, a spectrum of bright, gay pride colours cascade across, with a burst of hot pink here and a rolling-pasture-like green there.
Down a drink at the bar and see the world spin as thousands of lights dance above you.
We are on the second level of a brand new nightclub, Trilogy, that throws open its doors today. The place has 1,372 glass cubes dangling from the ceiling, filled with broken glass and fitted with LED lights that you just can't take your eyes off.
The guy who gave us the eponymous lounge bar in Colaba, Henry Tham, along with sons Ryan and Keenan, is back. This time with a bar and club housed inside the Sea Princess, Juhu.
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Good news for those who loved Tham's sushis and martinis. Bad news for those accustomed to the Apollo Bunder location.
Three musketeers
It was still daylight when a slightly squeaky door of the five-star hotel led us to the 4,200 sq ft two-storey club (not three as the name might suggest and its popular namesake in Dubai boasts of).
"When we say Trilogy, we are not talking about the space, but the product. It stands for Eat, Drink and Play," informs Keenan.
We weren't quite buying this, but the sight of the endless sea, as seen from their French windows, made us less cynical.
Sip on a designer vodka
"The lower level is where you can chill out and unwind with a few drinks. This is a more relaxed space, while the upper level is where you can let your hair down," says Keenan, while showing us around the place.
Both levels have a mix of plush sofas and straight-back chairs, reserving most of the former for VIP guests.
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We found it awkward to see two of the five VIP tables stationed around the staircase, where most of the drunken action usually takes place, but the rest were near the lovely windows.
The long bars on both levels have an extensive menu that offers exotic martinis, stocks a wide range of single malts (including a 16 year-old Lagavulin), beers-on-tap, tequila brands like Patron and designer tipples such as Roberto Cavalli and Ed Hardy Vodka.
We tried the potent Pomegranate and Basil Martini that is a stunning mix of the fruit and herb.
A Moet et Chandon champagne gets delivered to you in a four-foot, life-sized, long-stemmed glass. We had visions of swimming in the bubbly in that massive flute.
Dancing feet can look forward to a mix of R'n'B, Hip-Hop, Electronic and Lounge as the night progresses.u00a0
Sushi by the sea
Bar snacks move away from the staid Chicken Nuggets and French Fries and concentrate on sushi at Trilogy. "We have tried to do innovative things with sushi, experimenting even with veg sushi, along with a lot of Pan-Asian dishes," says Ryan.
Tuck into Jap nosh like Kingfish Carpaccio (Rs 650), Soft Shell Crab Tempura (Rs 750) and Spicy Tuna Sushi Roll (Rs 550). Vegetarians can devour Tomato Nigiri and California Roll (both Rs 350). It might sound boring, but it's superb," assures Keenan.
After the Rs 1,000 per couple entry fee that you might have to shell out here on weekends (though entry is only for those on the guestlist and is not inclusive of cover charge), the food bill might burn a deep hole in your pocket. But the surreal lights are still dancing in our heads and telling us, may be it's worth it all.
At Trilogy, Sea Princess, Juhu Tara Road, Vile Parle (W).
Call 26469689