Frank-ly speaking, we miss Bombay of the ’90s

The venue, which can accommodate 450, has metal and rose gold fixtures, reflective mirrors and leather seating

Those were the days.

Poly Esther's. Athena. Enigma. Shiros. Provogue Lounge. Fire N Ice.

The nocturnal party owls of Mumbai stirred at 10 pm and sauntered into nightclubs to dance the night away. Deadlines back then meant you could walk out at the time you pleased, sometimes as late as 2 am. It was when this writer had her first kamakazi shot and danced on a bar top - carefree ragers that we were. This was the '90s and early 2000.

The club, which has a strict-door policy across outposts, plans to bring in international DJs to the club soon

Then came the era of lazy lounging and drinking. The dance floor disappeared, and couches, swings and tables took over. Conversations against background house music took centrestage. Then came by-invite and A-listers-only dos. We remember Maatahaari as the last big nightclub the city saw, and that too shuttered within a year.

Last week, bang in the middle of the Omicron scare, the city got a new nightclub - Toyroom at Hyatt Residency in Santa Cruz East. Its first outpost opened in London, followed by Dubai, Istanbul, Rome, Mykonos, Athens and Sao Paulo.

It's Mumbai's turn now. A nightclub opens amidst a new variant scare. We dress up, lose the mask and join a sea of partygoers throwing caution to the wind. The décor is rose pink, gold and black with reflective mirrors. Hip-hop faces adorn the walls: Cardi B and Snoop Dog. The concept of "provocative and naughty" translates into lines like: "I forgot my teddy bear at home, can I sleep with you" and "Oh, you turn me on". Fine line between tacky and tasteful?

Frank The Bear, Toy Room's mascot, is one of the biggest pulls

At Toyroom, you will meet Frank The Bear: the club's mascot bearing a lopsided smirk. Through the night, he dances at the bar, takes selfies with guests and loiters among the crowd. Stuffed toy versions of him sit everywhere: mini bears squeezed on the bar front panel, on the DJ console and larger-than-life versions too.

The space is spread across 5,104 sq feet and has the capacity to host 450 guests. Designed by Delhi's Chromed Design Studio, the curvilinear island bar is a statement, with a cluster installation of disco balls making it charming. We find it easy to order, with enough room to squeeze in a spot every time we want a refill. But the billing is delayed and the steward blames the Internet.

Passion fruit martini, Sushi

Having attended the club's flamboyant launch party earlier, we re-order the drink we liked the most, the negroni. But, it's not available. We settle for the Bend Over Shirley (Rs 1,299) and a gin and tonic (Rs 1,299) and as our nerves calm, thoughts swing between the nightlife we loved and the repercussions of a party in the pandemic.

The signature Frank's punch made with elderflower

The club offers a short menu from the adjoining oriental restaurant next door, China House. The Sichuan chicken (Rs 1,400) and vegetarian spring rolls (Rs 1,200) are what we expect from one of the city's better Asian eateries.

Vodka and fresh blue berries

The club was brought to Delhi two years ago by Ashish and Shikha Begwani along with hospitality entrepreneur Akshay Anand. The team collaborated with Prasan Chawla and Rajveer Dhody for the Mumbai opening. Currently, entry is by-invite-only, and those who land up can enter at the discretion of the managers. A table can cost up to a lakh, and a champagne shower is an experience for those who order a bottle of the bubbly. It comes with Frank at your service, we are told.

And the classic Negroni

The good part, we decide, is that this has made us miss the life we once loved. The music plays loud, and for a moment, we put to good use the moves we have recently forgotten. Aah, Bombay, we love you.

WHERE: Grand Hyatt Mumbai, Santacruz East
WHEN: Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
PRICE: Rs 6,000-Rs 7,000 (couple); tables cost up to Rs 1 lakh
CALL: 8750939495
Rating : OKAY

Toyroom didn't know we were there. Sunday mid-day reviews anonymously and pays for meals.