Why Bhandup's SBX Sports Bar is a tame draw

Bhandup’s SBX Sports Bar offers plenty in terms of décor and vibe but struggles to score for its uneven fare, small portions, and a lack of bar game options

SBX
Food: Below average
Service: Helpful
Ambiance: Sporty

Located at Bhandup’s Neptune Mall, SBX’s interiors impressed us with its ample seating; spiffy sports memorabilia and posters that lined its walls as well as several TV screens to keep an eye on the game. The menu had us all excited with its pricing; however, there was clever strategy behind it, as we discovered later. We started our evening with the cocktail Maria Sharapova (Rs 349), Old Monk rum (Rs 179/small) and the SBX Special Tandoori Platter non-veg (Rs 285). Maria Sharapova was swift to arrive, but didn’t thrill us. But she was no match for the Old Monk, one-love.

The sportsbar offers plenty of seating, but has only three bar game options 

Next, the platter arrived; the kebabs were well-cooked but the portions were way too stingy. We wanted to try our hand at pool but couldn’t as it was occupied. Despite its large space, SBX has only three bar games — a pool table, a carrom board (seriously?) and a foosball table.

The SBX Special Tandoori Platter was juicy. PICs/Prashant Waydande

Disappointed, we ordered for JD Buffalo Wings (Rs 185), and Dum ka Gosht (R195), Tandoor Naan (R30) and Rice (R85) for the mains. The wings arrived soon, but it was mixed with chicken leg pieces. The Dum Gosht had three portions of mostly unpalatable meat. The naan was burnt and tough. It became clear: low prices, small portions would mean more orders. Not quite, especially with the food quality. The Sizzling Walnut Chocolate Fudgy Brownie with Vanilla ice cream (R175), helped sweeten things a bit.

The Brownie with ice cream was a tasty delight

SBX was an unsavoury encounter, and if it must call itself a sports bar, it needs to up things with its food and servings, or lose out to the numerous fast food joints in the same mall.

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