Join an expat club to gather tips about living in Mumbai, to get involved in community events and charities, and to start making new friends.
Expat Groups
The American Women’s Club of Bombay (AWC) is an assortment of Americans, Canadians and other international and local communities. AWC promotes social and cultural activities within the Club and encourages its members to participate in charitable and cultural activities in India. It also welcomes and assists Americans and Canadians who are new to Bombay (Mumbai). http://www.awcmumbai.com
Mumbai Connexions is an expatriate women’s club open to all nationalities http://www.mumbaiconnexions.com/
Becoming Part of a Social Network
Members of most expat clubs are very helpful to new members and will help you adjust and feel comfortable to your new environment. They are also very active in hosting a wide variety of events and special groups.
Mumbai Connexions hosts many social events throughout the year. These include an annual black-tie Spring ball, a Christmas luncheon, wine tasting, craft melas, charity dinners, and dances.
The American Women’s Club also holds many events and groups, including:
- Aadhaar Support Group: This group for foreign ladies married to Indian men meets twice a month.
- Book Club meets second Tuesday of every month, from 1-3 pm to read and discuss books.
- Bridge Group meets every Thursday afternoon.
- Coffee Mornings are held every fortnight. Each meeting takes places in a different home and are a great way to meet, exchange information, and catch up on news and events.
- Craft Group meets every Thursday to make crafts for the annual sale in November. The proceeds go to commendable charities in Mumbai.
- Dinner Club is hosted at a different restaurant each month and provides an ideal way to relax and make friends with other expats in Mumbai. Spouses, partners and friends are welcome.
- Mah Jong Group meets every Tuesday morning.
- Scottish Country Dancing is held on the second Monday of each month. Scottish expats can also join the Mumbai Caledonian Society. (Contact the Bombay Scottish School at 24451365 for more information.)
Meeting Friends at Bars and Restaurants
Mumbai’s renowned bars and restaurants are good places to meet up and interact with expats, tourists and locals. The Hard Rock Cafe at Worli, where expats celebrated US President-elect Barack Obama’s victory in 2008, is especially popular with members of the US Consulate. Restaurants, bars, and cafes like Little Italy, Zenzi, Trattoria, Barista Coffee Bar, Kandahar, and Indigo are other popular hangouts. You can also meet expats at the The Taj hotel, the Oberoi Hotel and the JW Marriott Hotel.
Little Italy
Five locations in Mumbai. See http://www.littleitaly.in
Zenzi
183 Waterfield Road, Bandra West
http://www.zenzimumbai.com
Phone: 22-56430670
Trattoria
G D Somani Rd
Cuffe Parade, Mumbai, Mumbai City
Phone: 022-6665-0808
Barista Coffee Bar
Several locations in Mumbai. See http://www.barista.co.in
Kandahar
The Oberoi Hotel
Nariman Point, South Mumbai
Phone: 022-6632-5757
Indigo
4 Mandlik Road, Colaba
http://www.foodindigo.com/
Phone: 22 66368999
Hard Rock Cafe Mumbai
Bombay Dyeing Mill Compound
Pandurang Budhkar Marg, Worli
http://www.hardrock.com/locations/cafes3/cafe.aspx?LocationID=455&MIBenumID=3
Phone: 22-6651-1209
The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower
Apollo Bunder, Mumbai 400 001
http://www.tajhotels.com/
Phone: 22-6665-3366
The Oberoi Hotel
Sir Dorab Tata Rd
Nariman Point, Mumbai, Mumbai City
http://www.oberoihotels.com
Phone: 022-6632-5757
JW Marriott Hotel
Juhu Tara Road, Juhu Beach
http://www.marriott.com
Phone: 022-6693-3000
Community Service
Mumbai is home to several NGOs (Non Governmental Organisations) helping those in need, and there are ample opportunities for expat members to become involved in voluntary work. Initially, you might want to volunteer through AWC or Mumbai Connexions, which support local charities and provide voluntary assistance. Donations, in the form of money, food and clothing and volunteers to provide hands-on help are always in demand.
Some volunteer opportunities offered by Mumbai Connexions are listed here to give you an indication of the type of work they do.
- Swimming with boys from The School for the Blind at the Breach Candy Club. You do not need to be a member of Breach Candy nor be a fantastic swimmer to help.
- Street children are taught basic English or to do a craft at Nagpada Neighborhood House. They are also given a snack each week.
- Teaching basic Math and English to children at Center for street children. A basic meal, funded by Mumbai Connexions, is also served.
- Playing bingo with a group of senior citizens at Shepherd Widows Home
- Homework help and study assistance for children at the Mount Mary Church, Bandra
- Interacting with children at St. Catherine’s Home and help them practice English, sing action songs, do a craft or similar activity and have a snack. An annual Christmas party for around 250 children is also held early December.
Country Clubs and Sporting Clubs
Mumbai has a number of posh clubs. The facilities vary, though usually offer a pool, sports, and several restaurants to their members. One of the nicest clubs is Waterstones in Andheri, which currently costs $8,900.00 per year for a family membership. Breach Candy Club has been around for decades and is a popular hangout for expats; it is a more affordable option at about $600.00 a year. Call the club you are interested in to take a tour. Once you are ready to sign up, there is usually an interview process. In some cases, such as with Breach Candy, you will be asked for references from current members.
The Club
197, D.N. Nagar, Andheri West
Mumbai 400 053
Phone: 6693-9999
http://www.theclubmumbai.com
Breach Candy Club
Behind Breach Candy Hospital,
Bhulabhai Desai Road
Cumballa Hill, Mumbai 400026
Phone: 2369-4902 or 2367-4381
The Willingdon Club
KK Marg, Tulsiwadi
Tardeo, Mumbai 400034
Phone: 2352-8600
Waterstones
Between Hotel Leela and the International Airport
Chimatpada, Andheri East,
Mumbai 400049
Phone: 022 40906644
http://www.waterstonesclub.com
C’est La Vie
164 Hill Road, Bandra West
Mumbai 400050
Phone: 022 26422361
http://www.cestlavie.co.in
JW Marriott Club
J W Marriott Hotel,
Juhu Beach, Juhu Tara Rd,
Mumbai 40004
Phone: 022 66933000
Chambers of Commerce
Individuals, firms, corporations, and societies involved in business in Mumbai can become members of chambers of commerce for networking, seminars, and other events. Membership fees are contingent on the annual turnover of the represented company.
Indo-American Chamber of Commerce and Industry
1-C, Veer Nariman Rd
Mumbai, Maharashtra 40002, India.
http://www.iaccindia.com
Phone: 022-2282-1413
Membership open to Indian and American citizens only.
The Council of EU Chamber of Commerce
3rd Floor, Y B Chavan Centre
Yogakshema (Nariman Point), Mumbai, Maharashtra 400021, India.
http://www.euindiachambers.com
Phone: 022-2287-6012
Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Mackinnon Mackinzie Building, 3rd Floor,
4,Shoorji Vallabhdas Road, Ballard Estate,
Mumbai 400001, India.
http://www.bombaychamber.com
Phone: 22-2261-4681-84
Fax: 22-621213
Email: bcci@bombaychamber.com
