Fielia, the city’s newest invite-only bar, rises within the iconic Mahalaxmi Race Course with a concept India has never experienced before—a cocktail-forward aperitivo bar imagined as a Cocktail Cinema.
Designed to feel like a theatre in motion, the space features dress-circle seating, a dramatic double-height ceiling, mezzanine balconies that overlook the room like theatre boxes, and a central bar that becomes the screen—the stage where every pour, every performance, and every moment unfolds.
A cinematic space rooted in heritage
The vision for Fielia comes from Afsana Verma, Amit Verma, and Dhaval Udeshi, and is brought to life through the design language of Gauri Khan. The design transforms the century-old racecourse mill architecture into a space that is cinematic, sensual, and unmistakably modern.
The original structure’s triangular roofline, generous height, and raw industrial bones form the foundation for a split-level bar. A moody ground floor wrapped in wrought-iron staircases leads to a mezzanine that echoes the quiet drama of vintage theatre galleries.
Architecture that reveals itself slowly
“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.
A bar that belongs to its setting
“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.”
Sin & Scandal: the opening narrative
Fielia debuts with Sin & Scandal, an evolving cocktail narrative led by Fay Barretto, blending sensory storytelling with technical precision. Inspired by infamous scandals—from whispered affairs to political intrigue—the cocktails rely on props, illusion, and suggestion rather than literal references. Nothing is excessive, everything is deliberate, and every sip pulls guests deeper into the story, with bartenders performing through crafted personas that turn service into theatre.
Where drinks 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.”
A culinary narrative shaped by the seven sins
The food mirrors the bar’s drama. Led by Hitesh Shanbhag, a The Culinary Institute of America graduate, the kitchen interprets the seven sins through an aperitivo-style menu built for sharing—bar bites, tapas, mezzes, breads, pastas, and artisanal pizzas. Each sin is expressed with intent, from Sage Chèvre Gnocchi and Peruvian Chicken to Pork Belly, Burrata, Gin Ginger Shrimp, and Burnt Basque with cacao. Nothing overwhelms. Everything entices.
A community shaped by mood and culture
“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.”
