‘Quarter’ is the new ‘large’

Ever been to a pub or a bar and complained ‘I wish I got more drinks for my money’, ‘Why aren’t the starters never enough’ or even, ‘I come here so often, I should better treatment’ Well it looks like the folks at Malad’s new watering hole, Q Bar — The Quarter Club heard you just fine.

But hold your horses! This new joint may be located right by the poolside of a hotel, but it doesn’t fit the bill of the usual hotel basement pubs with swanky furniture and well-made interiors. It’s a watering hole — and the owners seem to be making no bones about it. Evident from the fact that they’ve only just started and have already come out with a member’s menu. From drinks sold at quarters (the 180ml bottles from which the bar takes its name) to starters in large portions, the bar gets a lot of things right, but not everything.

For starters, we stuck to staples and ordered masala fish fingers and panko cheese poppers. Not much worked for the panko cheese poppers, which came with a serving of ketchup. However, on the other hand, the masala fish fingers didn’t disappoint and went well with the tartar dip (and so did the cheese poppers!). Priced at Rs 250 (Rs 280 for the fish fingers) a plate, the starters don’t reflect the cheap drinks menu, but the biggest surprise was in the quantity, which left nothing to complain about.

Coming to the drinks, it’s not the most innovative menu you’d see, but it surely is one that hits all the right buttons for someone looking for a weekend or a post-work drink. With quarter options for everything and attractive options for pitchers on beer, the menu has quite a few options for cocktails as well. Of course all the classics are covered, but with the bar just starting up, you’re bound to face a few ‘Sorry that is not available.’ However, that only means that the bartender will whip up some specials for you. We tried the Crimson Sunset (Rs 375), a pretty good concoction of gin with a touch of lime and wine and the bartender’s special sophisticated lady. The latter was a surprise with a light flavour and a touch of cranberry.

It’s not exactly the place you’d like to go to have a sumptuous meal and the food menu doesn’t really prove otherwise. Just don’t go for the pizzas!

Our verdict: If it’s just a quaint place with cheap drinks you’d like to frequent that you’re looking for then the Q Bar is aperfect option. For everything else you’ll find better ones around.

Our rating: ***1/2 Q Bar — The Quarter Club, VITS Hotel, Andheri-Kurla Road, Marol