"As in other Indian cities that flourished in the days of the British Raj, Mumbai’s old-fashioned club culture is alive and well—across well-heeled generations—in a way that would have made the retired majors of the era scratch their heads in wonderment. But this town has never had an establishment like this before. The familiar Soho House aesthetic (let’s not say formula) works wonderfully here. Nothing has been reinvented: There’s still the same combination of bars, restaurants, theaters, and breakout spaces found in the group’s outposts from London’s White City to West Hollywood. But each Indian twist freshens everything up nicely: the printed textiles in vibrant yellows and reds; the locally sourced wicker-ware and hand-made furniture. Some may gripe about the location, in an 11-story, Art Deco–style tower beside Juhu Beach, not far from the airport. But the fact is that the city’s creative center is shifting northward, and this is now the place to be. It’s a bejeweled stone’s throw from Bollywood. Time will tell how enthusiastically membership is taken up, but you can’t help thinking that Nick Jones has once again gotten it spot-on. FLASH POINT In a departure from Soho House tradition, the Big rooms here are indeed really big, and the ones to book. +91 22-6213-3333; sohohousemumbai.com. Doubles from about $230." - CNT Editors
