About The Council
The Council is a small late-night nightclub nestled in Bandra/Khar West, Mumbai. It opened in the late 2010s and quietly became a local hotspot thanks to its stylish interior, rooftop vibes and top-notch sound system. Found on the 3rd floor of Sahjivan Building above a Starbucks on Linking Road, its compact dance floor and modern decor create an intimate party atmosphere. Patrons praise The Council’s energetic mix of Bollywood hits and electronic dance tracks, reflecting Mumbai’s vibrant, eclectic music scene. Notably, it has also hosted live indie concerts – for example, a 2019 evening with Indian hip-hop artist Enkore and band Stitch In Nine – showing its versatility beyond a typical bar. With room for roughly a hundred or so dancing guests, The Council matters to Mumbai’s nightlife by bridging mainstream party culture with underground live music. Signature features include the private balcony-level location over Linking Road, stylish LED lighting and a premium PA system that make every beat resonate. In short, The Council is known as a cool social hub where friends gather and strangers meet on a high-energy dance floor, adding a unique character to Bandra’s night scene.
Events and Programming
The Council hosts a variety of events almost every weekend. On regular nights (mostly Fridays and Saturdays), it puts on DJ-led dance parties covering many genres – from Bollywood chartbusters and Marathi pop to techno/house sets and global EDM. It often follows themed nights. For example, weekend parties might feature a Bollywood or ’90s pop playlist one night, and hip-hop or EDM the next. The venue also collaborates with promoters for special concerts. In December 2019 the club featured an international-electronica show by German DJ Acid Pauli (please see concert galleries from that Krunk event). That same month it ran an acoustic hip-hop/rock showcase with local stars Enkore and Stitch In Nine. These curated “An Evening With…” events integrate fresh indie talent into Mumbai’s music scene. In short, you’ll find live bands, rapper performances and club DJs here. Most events start around 9–11pm on event nights, with music pumping later into the early hours. Prices vary by event: a typical nightclub cover might be modest (hundreds of rupees), whereas special shows can cost around ₹800–1500 depending on the artist. Generally, big-name DJ nights and one-off concerts sell tickets ahead of time, so book early if possible. More casual Friday parties may allow walk-ins or on-the-door cover charges. Overall, The Council’s calendar is packed on weekends and holiday celebrations – keeping the dance floor busy with new events every week.
Tickets and Booking
For regular nightclub sessions, tickets are often just the cover charge paid at the door. In other words, many nights do not require advance booking. Arrive at the door by 11pm or midnight and you can pay easily at entry. For higher-profile headliner events (bands or guest DJs), tickets are sold in advance through event promoters or ticket platforms. The venue itself doesn’t have a box office counter, so you should get tickets from approved ticketing websites or the event’s social media pages. Once tickets go on sale (typically a few weeks before big shows), they can sell out, so it’s wise to grab them early. Prices range: expect around ₹300–700 for a standard club night cover, and roughly ₹800–₹1500 for special concerts or festival-style events. Buyers usually choose between simple e-tickets (which you can show on your phone) or printed hardcopy passes. Some ticketing platforms even have a phone number (e.g. 1860-266-0010) for event details. In general, use the event listings to find dates and prices. If an event is marked “All Ages,” it may allow younger audiences (though drinking age in Maharashtra is 21). For peak events, arriving early ensures entry since doors might shut once capacity is reached.
Seating and Layout
The Council is laid out like a typical dance club. On entering, you’ll find an open central area that serves as the main dance floor, with the DJ stage or band space at one end. There is no formal theatre-style seating – it’s mostly standing room and high-top tables. Along the sides you may spot a few barstools or small lounge barricades where friends gather, but the vast majority of guests will be on their feet dancing. If a live performance is on, seating is not reserved, so people stand or mill around the stage. The bar counter usually lines one wall, with bartenders facing out towards a few drink stands. Good general-admission viewing spots are near the middle of the floor or close to the stage for best sound. Some partygoers prefer to hang back by the bar or on the higher-level areas (if any) to relax or mingle. Avoid standing right at the very entrance or exit steps, as these corridors can get crowded with people coming in and out. Acoustically, sound is engineered for the centre of the room, so you will hear the music clearly almost anywhere on the floor. When special live acts perform, you might notice a small slightly-elevated platform for the DJ and a modest stage backdrop, but no extra balconies or upper levels open to guests. Overall, think of the space as one ambient dance box where everyone shares the same joyful view of the music, with the front-center of the floor often the most energetic vantage point.
Getting There and Parking
Exact location: Plan your route to Sahjivan Building on Linking Road (Junction of 24th & 33rd Roads) in Bandra West (or Khar West, after crossing St. Theresa Road). It sits directly above a Starbucks and a KFC. Use this address for GPS navigation or asking a local rickshaw.Train: The easiest way is to take Mumbai’s Western Line train to Bandra station. The council is only about 0.4 km from Bandra station (just north along Linking Road) (yappe.in ). You can walk in under 5 minutes: exit the station on the Linking Road side, then head towards Starbucks. Khar station is slightly farther (around 0.8 km) but also accessible on foot or by a short auto ride.Metro: There is no metro stop immediately at Bandra/Bandra West yet (Line 2A/7 stations are a few kilometers away). The Western Express Highway Metro Station is about 3.8 km from the venue. Using that would require a bus or taxi onward, so it’s usually simpler to stick with suburban trains or buses.Bus: BEST buses ply along Linking Road and Bandra–Khar roads. Routes like #14, #23, #34, etc., stop near the Starbucks/KFC building. You can get off at the ‘Linking Road’ or ‘Khar, Linking’ bus stop and walk a couple of minutes. The area is busy, so buses can be crowded at peak times.Auto/Rickshaw: Auto-rickshaws navigate the local lanes well. However, on Linking Road itself three-wheeler entry is often restricted, so you may need to get dropped a block away (for example at the Statue Circle stop) and walk in. Autorickshaws are readily available around Bandra station and local junctions until about 11pm (after that, use taxis or rideshares).Car/Taxi: If you drive or take a cab, note that Linking Road traffic is typically one-way and quite congested on weekend evenings. There is no dedicated parking at the building. Street parking along 24th or 33rd Road may sometimes be found but is scarce. The nearest public parking lots are at Bandra station and mothership malls (e.g. Linking Road promenade or Phoenix Marketcity a few km away), so some visitors park there. Otherwise, plan to be dropped off at the building entrance. Popular rideshare (Uber/Ola) or taxi drop-off points are at Starbucks/KFC (Sahjivan Building entrance). Always factor extra time for traffic around Bandra, especially on Friday/Saturday nights.
Inside the Venue
Step inside The Council and you’ll undergo a standard club-entry routine. Security staff will check your age (carry a photo ID, since alcohol is served) and bag contents. There is usually no coat check, so keep personal belongings on you or in a small clutch. Once in, you’ll find a high-energy atmosphere: the lights are dim except for dynamic spot or laser lighting on the dance floor and stage. One wall features the main bar, where you can order drinks. The menu isn’t listed on a big board, but you can ask for beer (mostly Kingfisher/Heineken), wine, basic spirits and cocktails. Note that drink prices here are on par with Bandra’s upscale pubs – expect ₹300–500 for a beer or cocktail. Outside drinks or food are not allowed by venue policy. There likely won’t be much food – just bottled water and simple snacks like peanuts at best. Plan to dine before you arrive if you’re hungry.
The Council tends to stay packed during shows, so the air can feel warm and humid; dress in layers. The sound system is powerful and bass-heavy; it fills the room evenly. If you’re sensitive, consider bringing earplugs for later hours. Facilities include restrooms around the corner from the bar – usually one men’s and one women’s restroom; again, nothing fancy but reasonably kept. You’ll often find the space kept tidy between sets. There’s no official Wi-Fi network scattered around, so use your mobile data for ride apps or messaging (cell reception is typically good even underground). For charging, there is no public charging station so ensure your phone is topped up beforehand. Overall, the experience inside is pure party – expect to stand, dance and mingle in a lively crowd, with cocktails being the main sustenance and the thumping sound system keeping everyone moving into the wee hours.
Nearby Amenities
Restaurants: If you want dinner or a snack before the club, Bandra West has plenty of options. Literally downstairs is a Starbucks and KFC at street level. Just along Linking Road or in the Hinjewadi vicinity, you can find quick bites like Pizza Hut or Subway. For full-service eateries, consider walking a few blocks to Carter Road where cafés like Tea Villa or Pali Village Cafe await, or in nearby roads at Pali Naka the famous vegetarian spot Cream Centre. Bandra is known for its diverse dining, so Chinese, North Indian or Goan joints are within 5-10 minutes by auto. In short, eat on Linking Road or Carter Road and save the main event for The Council.Bars and Pubs: There are many bars in Bandra if you arrive early. For example, “Q Bar” just down the road or “Gatsby” lounge offer cocktails and live music before 11pm. (These are good warm-ups in case you miss dinner.) Late-night options after the club include “The Little Door” in Khar or 24×7 pasta joints in linking road area if you get hungry.Hotels: Several hotels are near The Council. Bloom Boutique and Oriental Residency sit right on Linking Road, each just a few minutes’ walk away. Budget travelers can try the Standard Hotels at Pali Naka or Khar. For a luxury stay, the Sofitel BKC (3-4km away) and the Taj Lands End (Bandra Bandstand, 4km) are among nearby five-star options. Many guests who fly into Mumbai stay around Bandra or Khar to catch nightlife, so late checkout or luggage storage at hotels can be useful if you’re flying to or from Mumbai that night.Timing: The Council often recommends you arrive by at least 11pm, since parking nearby or finding a taxi becomes harder later. (The venue itself sometimes starts music as late as midnight.) After parties, keep in mind that Mumbai trains end around midnight, so plan a taxi or pre-booked ride back. Rideshare vehicles can take 10–20 minutes to appear near Bandra at 2–3am, so call in advance. Bandra is generally well-lit and safe for a night walk, but use a buddy system or dependable cab if heading far after the club closes.
What Makes This Venue Special
The Council stands out in Mumbai’s club scene due to its intimate scale and local flavour. Instead of a cavernous discotheque, it occupies a cozy elevated space above city streets, giving it an exclusive, almost clandestine feel. This venue has become known for bridging mainstream Bollywood and underground indie – you might dance to a Hindi film song one moment and a Berlin techno track the next. Culturally, it adds schemees to Bandra’s creative legacy: in this neighbourhood of art and music lovers, The Council feels like a grassroots hub that nurtures up-and-coming talent. The club’s history isn’t defined by one landmark event, but by hosting a mix of homegrown and international acts. For example, the Acid Pauli show brought a global electronic act to a by invitation audience, while local rapper Enkore’s gig showcased Mumbai street culture. Locals love the place because it never feels too crowded or too quiet – it has just the right vibe of a lively beachside cafe mixed with a pulsing nightclub (minus the actual seashore). Even the architecture is unique: an ordinary-looking commercial building transforms at night into a glowing party spot, reinforcing the idea that Bandra holds hidden treasures. In short, artists enjoy playing The Council because it offers good acoustics in a laidback yet energetic environment, and guests appreciate the close-up experience. Both performers and partygoers often say it feels like a “homegrown secret” of Bombay nightlife – an indie sanctuary where everyone can dance together and make friend-to-friend memories.
Visitor Tips and Information
ID and Entry: Always carry photo ID and be prepared to show it at the entrance. Maharashtra law requires guests buying alcohol to be at least 21 with ID, so even if the event is advertised “all ages,” bartenders will check your ID. Entry is generally 18+ for a nightclub atmosphere, but proof of age is mandatory after 11pm. Dress code: Dress smart-casual – trendy Mumbai style rather than beachwear. Beach sandals or shorts are not suitable. For men, collared shirts or a nice T-shirt with clean shoes are standard. For women, dresses or smart tops with trousers/skirts work well. Remember, staff may refuse entry to those in overly casual attire.Shoes and Comfort: You’ll be standing and dancing most of the night. Wear comfortable shoes (heels are fine but avoid brand-new ones if you’ll be on them all night). The floor can get sticky, so protect your shoes if needed. The air isn’t air-conditioned (this is a typical open-air club vibe), so dress in lightweight layers. Arrival Time: Popular shows may start around midnight, but DJs often spin from 11pm. Arrive early (by 11pm–12am) to get in before the rush. For major acts, line queues can form at the entrance, so plan to be there at least 30 minutes before showtime. Tickets and Covers: If you have a pre-booked ticket, go straight to the concierge desk. Otherwise, expect a cover charge at the door on busy nights. Keep some cash handy – while cards are accepted at the bar, cash often speeds up entry and ordering.Things to Bring: Pack light. The venue doesn’t offer lockers. A small wallet or coin purse and your phone are all you need. Don’t bring professional camera gear – only casual phone photos are fine, and only if the event allows. Leave bulky bags at home. Earplugs are wise if you plan to stay near the speakers; the bass can be intense. Etiquette: Locals often clink glasses and say “Cheers” in English or perhaps a quick “Milenge!” casually. Smoking inside is banned by law, so step outside to the stairwell or balcony if you must smoke. Tip bartenders a few rupees if you like their service. Security is low-key but expect a friendly frisk check – they mainly look for illegal items (knives, large bottles), so just be cooperative. Respect space; although it’s lively, people appreciate an orderly dance crowd. Transportation Home: Plan your ride back before it gets too late. Trains stop running around midnight, so if you stay past that (common at clubs), schedule a prepaid taxi or rideshare to your hotel or home. Bandra is relatively central, but traffic late at night can still take time. If possible, share an Uber/Ola with friends. The venue’s staff can call a cab if needed upon exit. Safety: Bandra/Khar at night is lively and fairly safe, but as with any downtown area, watch your belongings. Stick with your group on the way out, and if using a rideshare app, verify the car’s details before getting in. If you’re new to Mumbai, keep an eye on any street harassment (rare in this area, but trust your instincts). Stay Updated: For the latest, keep an eye on local event portals or ask friends in the Mumbai nightlife scene about upcoming Council events. The club’s schedule can change, and special pop-up parties occasionally happen. Following music or nightlife forums (without visiting specific websites here) will help you catch hot events at this venue.
Frequently Asked Questions
