Tonic and Auriga Restaurant & Bar Mumbai

One cannot think well, love well or sleep well if he hasn’t dined well!

Excellent décor and styling can do as much for a Restaurant, Bar or Café as their good food and drinks can. Good interior designing creates an ambiance for the place which attracts its guests. Creating this ambiance is anything but simple. From planning, plotting to styling, a design is claimed successful when its styling goes parallel with functionality, where the staff work play isn’t disrupted and the space allows grandiose designs to take form. As quoted by Seesaw-“ Design is a balance between form and function. It takes two.”

One such restaurant running successfully is the TONIC and AURIGA Restobar located in Mumbai’s chic famous Studio lane at Mahalaxmi. It is a two level restaurant lounge that allures with an exquisite and elegant turquoise glow at night with a futuristically appealing décor designed by Sanjay Puri. The exterior walls of then existing warehouse were stripped off so the insides could breathe in some natural light and also there could a scintillating view of the large trees along the road outside from the insides that were revamped into a restaurant and a night club. The upper level emblazing an excellent view houses the restaurant and the lower level opening in to an outdoor deck is the nightclub.

The architect has played very innovatively with the aluminum fins giving a geometric glimpse to the façade which is carried along in the interiors of the night club where this metal web is more intense and envelops the walls, ceilings, staircase, bar and columns. The lounge itself accommodates more than 250 people on the ground level which clearly showcases the architect’s outstanding space study. This metal web has its backdrop dominated by a black palette, complemented by a dark gray granite floor , black walls and black sound insulation fiber boards constituting the ceiling and a beautiful blend of backlit onyx and elegant furniture.

The space between the metal strips makes way for the colorful LED lights crating a buzzy, clubby and trendy ambiance. They have played so well with the lights that the guests feel they are moving from one color mood to another (mainly dominated by the cool blue) invoking an ultramodern and interactive experience. Their nightclub is complemented with in house DJ music, luscious appetizers, a line up of enticing beverages, a smoking zone, roof top and an affable but discreet staff. From the lounge, a flight of stairs take you to the Dining area that is a complete contrast to the lower level. Dining area styled mainly in wood adds more warmth to the space in contrast to the cool touch of the metal on the lower level creating two different experiences in one place.

They guarantee that the sound of one setting does not interfere the ambiance of the other setting in their space. Tonic and Auriga also offers an outdoor seating space for friends and family. Tonic and Auriga is open to corporate/private parties, dinners, and lunch events accentuated with a perfect dropdown screen and a cordless mike. With a wide variety of cuisines including Chinese, Japanese, Pan Asian, Seafood, Singaporean and thai, Auriga brings in food enthusiasts from across the place. “Tonic andAuriga offers Dining, Partying and Entertainment all under one roof.”

Soul had an opportunity to interview Mr. Pawan Shahri, founder Chrome Communications (Marketing Management at Tonic and Auriga). His response is definitely going to tempt each one of you to visit this place at least once when you are in Mumbai.

Soul: “What is the theme of your restaurant?”

Mr. Pawan: “We’re a modern european setting with a futuristic theme. The venue is divided into 3 different segments. We have an alfresco Cafe area, the lounge bar & the resto bar.”

Soul:- “ What is the USP of your Restaurant?”

Mr. Pawan: “We do about 10-12 inhouse events a month. Approximately 3-4 events a week. The events that we hold at our venue is the highlight and a strong crowd puller. We have our special Tonic Tryouts which are midweek comedy nights. We have had AIB, Kanan Gill, Biswa, Aditi Mittal, East India Comedy and some of the other leading comedians come and perform. Buddeez Day Out is a once a month sunday event where people can come in with their 4 legged buddeez for some fun games, photobooth, training sessions etc. Tonic Cookout’s are once a month on Sunday where we serve unlimited beer & sangria at INR 1000/- along with a live barbeque and kitchen set-up. 99 Bar Night is our once a month affair where we serve a complete drink (30ml spirits + mixer) at INR 99/- all inclusive of taxes.”

Soul: “What is your signature drink?”

Mr. Pawan: “Our signature drinks could be our alchopops (golas) which come in many different flavour varieties with the highlight being the Nutella & Dark Rum gola.”

Soul: “Which area of the restaurant would deserve the designer of the restaurant a standing ovation?”

Mr. Pawan: “I personally love the bar at our lounge area. It is beautifully designed and the lighting is done brilliantly.”

Thank you so much Mr. Pawan for giving us an insight of your restaurant.