India's highest rooftop bar has been wondrously reborn. AER, at the Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai, sets the tone for the city's dynamic nightlife. With its alabaster walls and monochrome fixtures, AER offers a fresh roster of musical acts and artists, and an unmatched crimson view of the bay
By: Niyoshi Shah
Posted on: January 21, 2019
LF Says: ★★★.5
A city landmark since 2008, the Four Seasons Hotel, Mumbai emits an air of virulent charm and grandeur, reflecting the city’s bygone era. One cannot ignore the magnificent glass and metal façade and its stately Beaux Arts details. Built by John Arzarian when he was at Lohan Associates, the hotel design is international, and still very current.
Enter into an unconventional layout where a concierge desk stands just inside the front doors. Two-tone marble floors, textured walls with wood and golden accents keeps the design classically modern and stylish. With its sleek, low-slung furnishings and neutral palette, the interior of hotel is the antithesis of its exterior façade.
Covering the entire 34th floor of the property, AER’s prime attraction is undeniably its 360-degree panoramic view of the city spanning right up to the Arabian sea. The sleek pallid interiors give way to its iconic neon lit circular bar which reminds most people of Sirocco (a rooftop bar in Bangkok). With a cursory glance through the menu, focus quickly shifts to its impressive list of craft cocktails, champagnes by the glass, single malts and more, offered by their Beverage Manager and Ambassador of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific, Philip Bischoff.
And while open to the elements, the modernist architectural AER Mumbai makes for a truly memorable drinking and dining experience. There’s an authenticity and an attention to detail that’s rare for Mumbai’s fast growing epicurean scene. The ideal time to visit would be at sunset, when exotic cocktails, such as the Mumbai Kiss (white rum, maraschino, cardamom and pineapple) and Moksha (Captain Morgan spiced, yellow chartreuse, Dom Bendectino) are most enjoyable. The drinks are meticulously presented with inventive garnishes like coriander and coffee beans. As the evening progresses, the resident DJ turns up the volume with eclectic and house tunes.
With an array of chic gourmet teasers, and tapas-style menu, AER proves to be a refreshing change to the almost clichéd dining scene in Mumbai. I particularly enjoyed the Japanese green pods, edamame truffle and field mushroom sliders. Their chicken and cheese popcorns, lamb bresaola and Bombay duck skewers are famous as well.
Keeping things exciting with its Sunday Sundowners and live bands through the week, AER Mumbai’s return to the city’s cultural circuit offers a great venue for electronic acts, DJs and even the occasional jazzy evenings.
Complete with its buoyant vibe and international club hits for jiving, enjoy the sleek setting while AER Mumbai's friendly staff belts out delectable hors d'oeuvres and cocktails at a magnificent speed. It’s a heady mixture of height, ambience and delicacies.
LF Says: ★★★.5
Coordinates: 1/136, Doctor E Moses Road, Worli, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
AER Mumbai is open every day from 5:00 pm to 1:30 am
For reservations, call +91 7710033143
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