Going out in Chennai
Bad luck if you are a dancefloor junkie or hardcore party animal because the
Chennai nightlife is compared to international standards very poor. The two biggest fun-killers are the closing time and the man-woman ratios.
All clubs and bars close down pretty early, around midnight, though occasionally some clubs stay open an hour or 2 longer on Saturday nights. As a longstayer in Madras you will get used to it and start going out by 8 or 9, to conclude with an after party at your own place later on.
Clubs in Chennai always seem to be packed with men, with no woman to be seen anywhere around. Some places try to solve this matter by only allowing couples to enter so you do good to bring a date with you when going out. Some clubs also organise a weekly girls night to attract more female public. Free entrance and a free drink for girls is common on these nights.
Taking your girl out will almost surely attract hundreds of staring looks, so be prepared and keep in mind that the conservative Tamil values prevail everywhere, even in the clubs.
Slippers, shorts and drunk behaviour will not get you in.
Rather have a drink than a dance?See the Pubs & Bars section.
Where to go Clubbing?
All clubs are located inside - and belong to - the 4 or 5 star hotels.
Below you'll find a comprehensive list of party spots in Chennai.
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Dublin
One of Chennai's most popular venues, Irish pub/Nightclub in one, located in The Park Sheraton Hotel. The club is pretty spacious and get's quite full during weekends.
Couples normally pay 800 Rs entrance, a drink will easily cost you 200 Rs.
Music ranges from R&B to Indian Dance and more electronical genres.
Park Sheraton
TTK Road
Chennai
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Pacha
Pacha is The Park's own club and also one of the hotspots on saturday nights. They regularly organise theme nights to focus on a specific music genre and sometimes stay open till after 11. Entrance should be around 400 Rs per person and drinks start around 200 Rs. Go up on the mezzanine if you're out for some attention or blend in the often packed crowd. Don't mistake it as one of the original
Pacha Clubs, founded on Ibiza.
The Park
Anna Salai (Mount Road, on corner with Nungambakkam High Road)
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Distil
Famous for their Lady Nights on friday when couples get in for free and girls get 2 free drinks (and a present), Distil delivers quality. The bar is long and stretches all over the place, which makes it a rather small place, but the interior is stylish and cosy. You are in a Taj property so the prices are slightly higher than in other places (225 Rs for a beer), but without entrance fee and with free drinks there is no real reason to complain.
Taj Connemara
# 2, Binny Road (side street from Anna Salai, around corner from Spencer's Plaza)
Chennai
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10 Downing Street
The only place that doesn't look like being located in a hotel and situated right around the corner from the Residency Towers Hotel in T.Nagar. Entrance is free and beer costs 200 Rs. There is room to sit, an impressive bar to lean on and a small dancefloor to shake. The Dj likes R&B and Hip-Hop beats but occasionally blends in a popular tamil record or evergreen oldie. The interior is stylish, think wood, soft colours and dicrete lighting and the public covers all ages.
Kenses Inn Hotel
#50, North Boag road,
T.Nagar (near GN Chetty Road)
Chennai
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Havana
On Wednesday nights Havana, the club in the Rain Three Hotel, organises its weekly Salsa night. Bring your girl to get in free and dance the night away... till 11. The level of the usual Salsa dancers there is quite advanced, so if you are not an expert you might want to stick to your can of Heineken (225Rs) and watch. Smoking and drinking on the dancefloor is forbidden, but you'll notice soon when you try it out.
Rain Tree Eco Hotel
#120 St Mary's Road (side street from TTK road, near Chamiers road)
Alwarpet, Chennai
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OPM
One of the new clubs in town, OPM is located in the Accord Hotel in T. Nagar. The interior is nice and the party keeps going after 12PM, something we can't say of all the clubs in Chennai. You pay 750 Rs couple entrance for OPM and supposedly you get 500 Rs back in vouchers to spend on drinks. Like most venues, not the party spirit but the hard cash prevails and the voucher system is basically a scam to get more money out of your pockets, as the vouchers have printed more terms and conditions on them than an average governement contract and aim to let you pay extra in addition to the coupons. The bouncers take themselves a bit too serious and are keen to let you know drinking on the dancefloor is forbidden. The music at 0pm consists of Indian pop, R&B/Hip-Hop and current hit charts.
OPM Club
Accord Hotel
G.N Chetty Road, T.Nagar
Chennai
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Speed
-closed-
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Sparks
#146, Savera Hotel
Dr. R.K. Salai (Opposite Chola Sheraton)
Mylapore, Chennai
Yet to be tried out by Chennai Expat. Have You Been There? Leave a comment!
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