All about living in this crazy, wonderful city called Bombay

November 19, 2003

Velvet Lounge opens at Renaissance Hotel

What do you think of when you think of velvet? Decadence, sensuality, mystery, the smoothness of soft bare skin… altogether fabulous sensations you may have dreamt of dissolving into after a hard day’s work. If the luscious sensations of velvet could ever be combined into an experience, the new Velvet Lounge at the Renaissance Mumbai Hotel succeeds - and how!

Open from Thursday to Sunday from 20th November onwards, Velvet Lounge offers you a vast 3000 sq. meters of space to unwind at the end of the day. However, as the evening fades into night, the lounge effortlessly transforms itself into a nightclub with a DJ playing the latest Western and local pop as well as evergreen numbers. Mix-master extraordinaire, DJ Aqeel himself will be playing on Thursdays and Sundays with DJ Sunil playing on Fridays & Saturdays.

The opening party on the 14th of November saw the who’s who of Mumbai’s party people. Kishen Mulchandani, Fardeen Khan, Zayed Khan, Kamaal Khan, Achla Sachdeva, Ash Chandler, Farah Khan, Reshma Bombaywala and an overwhelming bevy of male and female models were seen rocking to the music of DJs Aqeel and Sunil.

The décor by interior decorator Rajeev Saini is colorful with an eclectic mix of orange, rust, olive, red and green. Bold colors and clean lines dominate the design, offering vivacious and sophisticated style. The mood is sensual and decadent with abundant candles, mosaic mirrors and pillars covered with, what else, velvet. Warm lighting reveals wooden flooring and soft textured furnishing of leather, velvet and net.

The bar offers a variety of scotch, wines, draughts, cocktails, breezers and shots. Food is simple but delicious with Italian woodside pizzas, short eats and finger food. Your pizza is prepared in front of you before baking in the wood-fire brick oven.

What is particularly unusual about the Velvet Lounge is its cosy courtyard with outdoor seating – quite delightful during those cool evenings for guests who wish to relax in a more intimate atmosphere. This open space flows into intimate nooks with low-slung communal tables perfect for deep, private conversations.

But what would a night out at the hippest new spot in town be without a human touch? For Velvet Lounge, this comes in the form of a sexy duo consisting of drop-dead gorgeous Kim (who’s friendly to boot) and Manish (who’ll whip up the coolest cocktails). Come with friends, come without friends – it really doesn’t matter!

And oh yes. It also happens to be the place to host happening launches, parties and fashion shows.

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