Fielia Opens at Mahalaxmi Race Course as Mumbai’s First Cocktail Cinema Bar
Fielia Opens at Mahalaxmi Race Course as Mumbai’s First Cocktail Cinema Bar
Mumbai’s nightlife landscape welcomes a bold new chapter with the arrival of Fielia, an exclusive, invite-only aperitivo bar nestled within the iconic Mahalaxmi Race Course. Conceptualised as India’s first-ever Cocktail Cinema, Fielia introduces a theatrical approach to mixology where cocktails are not merely served, but performed, experienced, and remembered.
Blending heritage architecture with cinematic storytelling, Fielia positions itself as a destination for discerning patrons seeking mood-driven evenings, intimate conversations, and immersive sensory journeys.
A Cinematic Bar Concept Unlike Anything India Has Seen
Designed to feel like a theatre in motion, Fielia’s spatial layout draws directly from classic performance halls. The venue features dress-circle seating, a dramatic double-height ceiling, mezzanine balconies resembling theatre boxes, and a central bar that acts as both screen and stage.
Every element from the architecture to the service is choreographed to evoke the rhythm of a live performance, placing the bar at the heart of the unfolding narrative.
A Space Rooted in Heritage, Reimagined for Modern Mumbai
The vision behind Fielia comes from Afsana Verma, Amit Verma, and Dhaval Udeshi, and is brought to life through the distinctive design sensibility of Gauri Khan. The transformation reinterprets the century-old mill architecture of the racecourse into a space that is cinematic, sensual, and unmistakably contemporary.
The original triangular roofline, soaring height, and industrial bones of the structure form the foundation of a split-level bar. A moody ground floor, accented by wrought-iron staircases, flows into a mezzanine that echoes the understated drama of vintage theatre galleries.
Architecture That Unfolds with Emotion
“Fielia was designed as a space that reveals itself slowly. I wanted it to feel cinematic yet intimate where scale exists, but emotion leads. The architecture holds a quiet drama, softened through curves, texture and light, allowing the bar to become the heart of the space. It’s not just about how it looks, but how it makes you feel,” said Gauri Khan.
This deliberate pacing encourages guests to absorb the environment gradually, making each visit feel personal and immersive.
A Bar That Belongs to the Mahalaxmi Race Course
“We wanted Fielia to feel like it naturally belongs here,” says Afsana Verma, speaking about its home at Mahalaxmi Race Course. “The Race Course has a certain romance to it a history, an aura, a sense of old Bombay that still lingers. For us, it was the perfect setting for a bar that’s intentionally intimate and invitation-only. Fielia isn’t about crowds; it’s about mood, conversation, and the thrill of a night that feels slightly hidden from the rest of the city.”
The invite-only nature of the bar reinforces its sense of exclusivity and intimacy.
‘Sin & Scandal’: The Opening Cocktail Narrative
Fielia debuts with Sin & Scandal, an evolving cocktail narrative led by Fay Barretto. Inspired by infamous scandals ranging from whispered affairs to political intrigue the cocktail menu relies on illusion, suggestion, and storytelling, rather than overt references.
Each drink is crafted with precision and restraint, using props and performance to draw guests deeper into the narrative. Bartenders embody carefully designed personas, transforming service into theatre and ensuring that every sip feels intentional.
Where Cocktails Are Experienced, Not Served
“The architecture gave us the idea,” says Amit Verma. “Once we saw the height, the mezzanine, the way the windows framed the bar, it felt like a theatre waiting to happen. The ‘Cocktail Cinema’ concept came from wanting to build a bar where drinks aren’t just served they’re experienced. Sin & Scandal is just the beginning. The goal is constant reinvention.”
With rotating narratives planned beyond Sin & Scandal, reinvention lies at the core of Fielia’s identity.
A Culinary Story Inspired by the Seven Sins
Complementing the bar’s dramatic storytelling is a thoughtfully curated aperitivo-style menu led by Chef Hitesh Shanbhag, a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America. The menu interprets the seven sins through shareable plates bar bites, tapas, mezzes, breads, pastas, and artisanal pizzas.
Signature offerings include Sage Chèvre Gnocchi, Peruvian Chicken, Pork Belly, Burrata, Gin Ginger Shrimp, and a decadent Burnt Basque cheesecake with cacao. Each dish is designed to entice rather than overwhelm, mirroring the restraint and intention seen in the cocktails.
Building a Culture-Led Community
“Fielia is meant to be more than a bar,” adds Dhaval Udeshi. “We wanted a community a gathering place for people who enjoy culture, conversation, and a touch of irreverence. As we grow, we see Fielia expanding into a network of spaces that speak the same language. This is just the start.”
As the concept evolves, the founders envision Fielia growing into a network of spaces that share the same cinematic language and cultural sensibility making this debut just the beginning.
