Blue Fox
on M G Road

One more excuse, for tanking up on Beer Mugs this Oktober. As the October Fest opens up at the Palace grounds for the third time in succession, one gets the feel of the 150 year old German fest celebration (barley and rice harvest) for a whole month right in Namma Bengaluru. Those wary of the traffic maze can do the COOL-COOL thing of just hopping in to a well known address bang in the heart of the city. Yes the BLUE FOX, Shrungar complex on M.G.Road, has staged a grand come back (4th Oct’07). It promises to bring back the same finesse in fine drinking, if the swelling numbers of “happy go lucky” and “game for anything crowd” on the opening day was any indication. It’s hotting up on the political scene, but this place promises to go full throttle too for the owners, of the Purple haze chain.

A lesser known tidbit of Bangalore history- The British army in the Cantonment area had set up a brewery so that the boys did not drink the local brew concoction and get into brawls. Oh! Boy we have definitely come a long way from those times and no wonder the Pub city tag fits so well. Just as the pint of Beer served has a body and head so also the ambience of this place that has oodles of character that architect Alex Jacob has infused. He strongly believes that pubs are places for great music and beer, so the walls at Blue Fox (BF) do not ricochet the sounds of music allowing the customers to swing, swig, tap and sway to the trance and remix music setting the tone for a great evening.

Ambience and good music is the hallmark of an excellent pub. The ambience at BF definitely merits full marks to Alex. The lighting at the tables radiate an ethereality imparted by the hidden strobes giving the onyx table top just that amount of golden glow with a hint of secrecy highlighting the quality of the onyx. On the walls the light, streams in blue, purple and pinkish hues from bone like strips. The bar counter tops is a combination of glass and steel that is minimalist but classy and eye catching. The allegory of fox foot prints leading from the entrance and fox ears on the side boards and the blue colour add to the funky element. A small wooden dance floor beckons those with dancing shoes who would like to dance away (the blues?). Nothing much is done on the ceiling except pieces of mirrors, reflecting the vibrancy around. The columns are hidden in glass encasings that reflect the light around it. There is expensive silver leather for the seatings with subtle animal prints. Gauge drapes here and there partitioning certain areas give an aura of mystery.

The bar is the focus here like in the earlier concept of Pubs in England and Ireland that were comfortably furnished, with many customers preferring to stand and drink at the bar counter gupshupping with friends as they enjoyed the drinks. BF being circular, the view unveils and reveals itself as one walks by. Small, large and circular seating alternate dramatically giving a feel of depth to the place of 250 covers.

Beer and Vodka shots with the men in our group enjoying their whiskies, nibbling on French fries, cabbage crispies, masala peanuts and succulent chicken kebabs teeming well with the DJ’s choice of trance music and remixes, the chic ladies in their best black attire, it was indeed an enjoyable evening. But retro and hip hop music is also the favs.

The purse will feel the pinch by Rs 125/= for a 600ml draught beer, Rs 300/=for the pitcher. As the GM Operations tells me the special cocktails and mock tails are worth the try with Yellow Rose, a whiskey based drink with apple brandy and Cowboy with heavy cream and ice priced at Rs 225/ =. The mock tail Pink Panther is a hit already which is a heady mix of pineapple and orange juices with strawberry ice cream and fresh cream at Rs 180/=. The nibbles are in a wide choice of assorted platter of Kebabs both veg and non veg suffice for 4 people in the Rs 400/= range. He recommends the sea food platter which seems to be a novelty. There is an interesting stuffed papad, a Goan specialty with 6-7 pieces priced at Rs 125/= for the veg variant and Rs 200/= for the Prawn stuffing and Rs 175/= for the chicken. There are also Continental, Chicken and Prawn fritters.

So, does one need an excuse for a sundowner?

Ambiance 4

Food 3.5

Service 4

For reservations

25320019/ 25320024

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