Mumbai's most impressive party venues

From the flood of NRIs in booked out hotels to week-long weddings, Mumbai in December is a city in 'all party, no work' mode. 

Since the weather is exquisite this time of year, we pick out our favorite outdoor spaces to host the quintessential, big, fat year-end Mumbai bash. You know it, a wedding's just an excuse. 

Trendy at Tote on the turf 

Since its debut last winter, Tote has fast become the non five-star hotel banquet space of choice.

Located as it is on the grounds of the Mahalaxmi race course, this is a uniquely Mumbai space in the heart of midtown. 

And it's big. At a sprawling 8,000 square feet of space, the award-winning architectural marvel still manages to retain older brother Indigo's urban-cool vibe while serving up their well respected food, whether you plan to host a bash for 40 or for 600. 

"I love the space, it's fun and inviting -- perfect for a party. It's outdoors and indoors and it all sort of just flows together," says Diane Won, a New Yorker who's hosting her sangeet there early next year. 

It's possible to rent the entire downstairs space, including the restaurant area. You’re spoiled for choice in terms of cuisine options, what with everything from Indian tandoori to modern European.

All these facilities come at a cost that starts at about Rs 1,500 per head without booze or taxes.

Because the banquet space is essentially a blank canvas, you can go pretty wild with decor, as many a wedding party has done in the past, from creating elaborate animal sculptures to re-creating a beach.

Mahalaxmi Race Course, Gate 5 and 6, Keshva Rao Khadye Marg, Mahalaxmi; +91 (0) 22 6157 7777; Facebook group

Urban chic at the Four Seasons Pavilion

A recently built all-weather marquee in the garden area of the Four Seasons provides city dwellers another option for formal dinners or receptions and a refreshing alternative to the traditional Crystal Room or Regal Room choices at the Taj and Trident hotels.

Sold in two seatings of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., The Pavilion is great if you want to impress your guests with a classy all-out splash.

Sunlight pours through floor-to-ceiling French windows, glinting off gilt-framed mirrors and classic minimalist interiors; Skygarden lighting by Marcel Wanders and a separate seating area with sofas enhances a sort of chic residential atmosphere.

There’s an extensive menu at your disposal from the dedicated kitchen -- from Cantonese, Japanese and Thai to Italian, Mexican and of course Indian.

You have to spend a minimum of Rs 250,000 for dinner and Rs 150,000 for lunch to book out the space, not a tall order given that it has five stars. 

The 3,229 square foot space is malleable enough to be transformed into a Tuscan farmhouse or a traditional Western style sit-down banquet.

And the hotel will assist you in sorting out a DJ and decorator, and even point you in the direction of a party planner if you’re looking for something a little more exotic, say, like a fire-eating magician or Russian belly dancers (well, they’d probably frown upon the latter, but you get our drift).

Four Seasons Hotel, 114 Dr. E. Moses Road, Worli; +91 (0) 22 2481 8000; www.fourseasons.com/mumbai

Laid back at Aurus 

How can you go wrong throwing a party at a place frequented by movie stars and well-heeled south Mumbai socialites?

Because its the only beach-front restaurant in town, Aurus is uniquely positioned to offer up a magical seaside setting for your bash.

With its vast deck on the beach, and Pinakin Patel-designed ornate, chandelier-clad interiors, there’s a built-in ambiance that doesn’t need much dressing up.

Home to the much-loved Aurus Sundown, a Sunday sunset party DJed by world-renowned guest artists through February, Aurus as a venue oozes young coolness. 

Normally at restaurants such as this, the food is the last thing on people’s minds, but happily, Aurus manages to impress on that front too. 

The restaurant says that chef Vikas Seth is influenced by the restaurant that's a dream visit for many foodies, El Bulli, in Spain. While we’re not so sure that it quite lives up to those standards, where else can you offer up guests a good meal on a Mumbai beach with awesome music and two bars -- one indoor, one outdoor? 

Nichani Kutir, Juhu Tara road, Juhu; +91 (0) 22 6710 6666; www.dishhospitality.com

The rare Mumbai boat party

There's nothing quite like a private boat bash to heighten your exclusivity quotient, if only because it's so rarely seen in Mumbai. 

As Mihir Nerurkar, owner of Samira Habitats, the Alibaug-focused real estate company, says, "A boat party is a great way to get people excited. A boat is different from the usual restaurant scene. Plus, I like to show people how easy it is to access a boat."

In the past two years, a number of charter companies opened shop, and alas, shut them too.

Still, there are a few companies who offer a one-stop shop for a party on a boat, including Giira Yachts and Ava Marine Services.

Giira Yachts co-owner, Meherzad Kajanwalla, can steer you towards the right boat depending on your budget.

A party for a 100 people, with a DJ and food, including six appetizers (three vegetarian and three non-vegetarian), three main courses, dessert and soft drinks will probably run you about Rs 300,000.

That's with the boat docked. Each hour that you take it out costs an additional Rs 10,000.

Alcohol is extra, and Kajanwalla says most people bring their own as there’s no corkage fee.

A party for 60 people can probably come in at close to Rs 200,000 depending on the boat.

And if you’re vibe is more intimate, you can rent a smaller, 24-foot cabin cruiser for about Rs 7,500 for an hour-long cruise and an additional hour anchored. 

Still skeptical?

Then head down to the Gateway of India and chat to any of the smaller boat owners to strike your own deal.

Homemaker Farah Shah, who hosted her husband’s 30th birthday party on a boat two years ago, says she managed to do a great party for 35 people within a budget of Rs 50,000. "Our boat wasn’t luxurious by any means. But no one cared. Everyone had a blast. It was really memorable."

Giira Yachts, call co-owner Meherzad K Kajanwalla +91 98203 99261, +9198200 07559; or email meherzad@giirayachts.com; www.giirayachts.com

Ava Marine Services, 11/4 Rustom Baug, Byculla; Call Phiroze Contractor +91 (0) 22 2371 4209; www.avamarine.com

Relaxed elitism at Breach Candy club 

Looking for cheap and cheerful, with a dash of class? Then choose one of the city’s most exclusive clubs, the Breach Candy Swimming Bath Trust.

It’s almost impossible to gain membership into, which increases your party’s snob factor exponentially.

Still, the challenge is to find a willing member to act as a conduit to gain access. But once that’s sorted, you’re almost home free to calamari and cocktails.

With its seemingly endless outdoor swimming pool (Wikipedia say it's India's largest) overlooking the sea, Breach Candy is a green oasis in our otherwise maddening concrete jungle. It's such a treat that members are rarely anywhere else on a Sunday afternoon.

Last call’s at a civilized 11 p.m., so don’t plan a party here if you want to kill it all night.

Expect a more redolent, calm seaside affair, with a distinct whiff of understated wealth -- trust fund types rather than nouveau riches.

Breach Candy Swimming Bath Trust, 66 Bhulabhai Desai Road; +91 (0) 22 2367 4381