Punchline – Bandra’s newest bar looks like a coven from the outside and even more whimsical once you step inside. The place that literally derives its name from the oldest cocktail in history (punch), is a venture by Chef Amninder Sandhu, along with Jeet Rana and Chirag Pal. The same team that is also behind one of Delhi’s most-loved restaurants, Barbet & Pals, have brought a unique drinking experience to one of Mumbai’s most happening neighbourhoods where hardly anything feels unique anymore. “Honestly, the soul of Barbet & Pals and Punchline is exactly the same because both spaces are really extensions of our personalities. We’ve always believed people don’t just connect with drinks or interiors; they connect with the feeling and energy of the people building the place. Punchline is a playful and community-focused space. The idea comes from the culture of punch itself, which was traditionally made to be shared. People gathered around punch bowls not just for the drink, but for the company around it. We realised that’s still the real reason why people go out and drink together even today,” shares Chirag.
While Mumbai itself is defined by an otherworldly charm, Bandra has a distinct character in its own right – reflected in its corner shops, sleepless nights, and an unexpected range of compact spaces containing the most unmatched energy. Although Punchline is another addition to this slew of restaurants, it stands out in a way that is unpredictable and whimsical at the same time.
The ambience in this cosy neighbourhood bar is anything but pretentious. In fact, it sticks to one aesthetic throughout its concept, menu, and interiors. You can see the tinge of orange everywhere, which is literally the colour of punch. “For us, the real goal is to create a space filled with conversations, chaos, music, storytelling and people enjoying themselves together,” says Jeet. With its mood lighting, low ceiling, reflective surfaces, textured finishes and intimate seating layouts, Punchline feels somewhere between a friend’s cosy living room and a fantasy dream. This is exactly the kind of bar where you start with slow music and deep conversations, and end the night with dancing, singing, and losing your voice. “During early evening it feels relaxed and conversational, but as the music builds, the same room starts feeling louder and more alive,” says Chirag.
A menu curated for shared chatter
When you have someone as revered as Chef Amninder Sandhu on the ship, you just know the offerings are just going to amplify the experience. “The food at Punchline is nostalgic at heart, but presented through a slightly more playful and refined lens. We kept calling it ‘fancy from the past’ internally because a lot of the inspiration comes from flavours people already know and emotionally connect with,” shares the chef. Think pickles, chutneys, smoky spices, street-side snacks, late-night comfort food but interpreted in a way that works beautifully with cocktails. “It’s not a menu trying to shock you. It’s a menu that slowly pulls you in because the flavours feel familiar and bold at the same time,” she adds.
Some of the chef’s favourite orders include the Grilled Cheese, Made Wings Great Again – which are some of the best glazed chicken wings you’ll have – Charcoal Dunked Steak, Iberico Ice Cream and Too Many Mushroom Toast. Concise and comforting – the plates at Punchline are tailored to be shared over long and memorable tête-à-têtes.
Perfectly complementing these dishes are the sips. As Jeet delightfully shares, “The drinks at Punchline are rooted in the philosophy of punch balance, interpreted through a modern cocktail lens. We’re working a lot with hyperlocal ingredients, savoury flavours and nostalgic references. So you’ll find ingredients like tamarind, amazake, pickle brines, banana bread, sesame, curry leaf and raw mango showing up across the menu.
A few drinks I’d definitely recommend are Rum With Benefits, Peeling Good, Salsa Punch and Dirty Little Secret. They’re playful in name, but very serious in flavour and technique.”
While a slew of bars keep emerging throughout the city, Punchline definitely comes as an unexpected guest who’s here to stay. Here, the bartenders are not just drink wizards but also free-spirited singers and great conversationalists. More than a one-time discovery, it’s the kind of spot you’ll find yourself returning to time and again, drawn in by its easygoing charm and high energy.
Endnote: It is evident that the trio in charge of Punchline are not just here to change how Mumbai drinks, but to cultivate a distinct nightlife culture that lets people gather, celebrate, and unwind.
