The Neighborhood Bar

Sea View Hotel - Juhu Beach, Mumbai

Everyone needs a neighborhood bar; a place to unwind and kickback with friends after work. In Prague it was U-Maleho Glena. In 1996 that was the best bar in the world. I have pictures and stories to prove it. Vaclav Havel stopped by one Sunday night to hear some jazz. Woody Harrelson stopped in once to drink absinth and hit on Maggie.

While in Jakarta, the neighborhood bar was Elvis’ Bar. They had great food, pool tables and dart boards. They had 2 for 1 on drinks at happy hour. You could phone in your drink order before 7PM and secure the happy hour prices for a later arrival. They had a great Indonesian band that did all the standard covers. A standout was Knockin on Heavens’ Door done Guns ‘n Roses style. There was another Elvis in Singapore.

For a brief time my neighborhood bar was at the Hotel Tolarno in St Kilda. Incredible food, the owner is a famous Melbourne television chef. The bar had a great music collection including some Ry Cooder music.

My neighborhood bar in Dubai was Jules Bar, In Avezzano it was Joyce’s Pub. It was once the Bentz Street Raw Bar in Frederick. I miss that one.

For nearly a year my neighborhood bar was the deck at The Sea View Hotel at Juhu Beach in Mumbai. I would have Kingfisher beer and freshly made paneer tika in the evening after work. I could watch the sea, the people, the sunset and the human powered Farris wheel from the deck. It was the best place to be in Mumbai. My apartment was in the Hotel Emerald just down the street. Or the beach, depending on my mood.

I am home now and I haven't found my neighborhood bar.