The bad part about alcohol in Mumbai? High prices. The good part? Chilled beers delivered right to your doorstep.
Beer
Kingfisher is India’s beer. It is light and refreshing and available for a good price. You can also buy imported beers such as Asahi and locally brewed foreign beers such as Fosters, Tuborg, and Carlsberg. Shops can often deliver chilled bottles of beer to your home for a small fee.
Wine
Indian wines are not the best in the world, but often they will do, and local wines are significantly cheaper than those imported from Europe, Australia, the Americas, and South Africa. (Imports are taxed at a very high 300%.)
The most well known wine growing region of India is in Nashik, which is about three hours north of Mumbai by car. You can take a weekend trip to Nashik to visit the Reveilo or Sula Vineyards for a wine tasting and to pick up some cases of wine at a slight discount.
There are several stores carrying wine across Mumbai and many of them deliver. Don’t be fooled if you see a store called “Wine Shop,” because it might not carry wine at all, just liquors and beer. However, wine shops in affluent areas do carry wine.
One problem with purchasing wine in Mumbai is the lack of knowledge about the proper storing of wine bottles. If the bottles look like they’ve been sitting out in the sun or heat all day, they probably have been.
Indian wines range in price from Rs 700 – 2,000 per bottle, on average.
Liquor
India locally produces internationally branded gin, vodka, and whiskey – called IMFL or Indian Made Foreign Liquor. As with most international products locally made, the quality is not the same. Imported liquors are taxed very high. You can bring up to two liters with you when you fly to Mumbai, so be sure to bring a couple bottles when you move. (Or whenever you travel.)
Old Monk is a popular, sweet, caramel-like, dark rum produced in India. There apparently is no advertising for the brand because sales are high enough by word of mouth alone. Old Monk goes well mixed in a glass of Coke.
Dry Days
There are a few dry days in Mumbai: Aug 15th, Independence Day; Jan 26th, Republic Day; and May 1st, Maharashtra Day. The period of time before, during, and just after an election can also be dry – on and off for about two weeks. While the law states that alcohol cannot be denied to foreigners on dry days, many shops and bars close down entirely. Some hotels and restaurants will serve alcohol to foreigners on dry days upon seeing the foreigner’s passport.
Wine and Liquor Shops
Fine Wines N More
406, Raheja Plaza, Plot No. 15/B, Parkson Press Compound,
Off New Link Road, 400053 Andheri West
Phone: 4033 0000
http://www.finewinesnmore.com
Email: info@finewinesnmore.com
Wine distributor selling imported wines and liquors. Red, white, rose, sparkling wines and champagne from Italy, Spain, France, Chile, Australia, Germany, and New Zealand. Also Limoncello, Sambuca, Grappa, Mexican tequilas, rum, and Sunraysia fruit juices.
Jude Wine Cellar
10A Pail Junction, 400050 Bandra (West)
Phone: 2600 6750
Open: 10:00 am – 10:30 pm
Wines and beers. Delivers beer cold to your home for free. Dependable service.
Pinky Wines
11 Jaidarshan, Chimbai Road, 400050 Bandra (West)
Phone: 2218 2727
Open: 10:30 am – 10:30 pm
Wide selection of imported wines and liquors. Home delivery available.
Sovereign Wine
N S Patkar Marg, 400007 Gamdevi
Phone: 2361 0434
Open: 10:00 am – 9:30 pm
Imported wines for good prices.
Framroze & Co
108 Walkeshwar Road, 400006 Malabar Hill
Phone: 2367 6147
Open: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Beers, liquors, and imported wines. Home delivery available.
Moksh
Shop 5, Rungta Lane, Brij Kutir Shopping Center, Nepeansea Road, 400006 Malabar Hill
Phone: 2367 6147
Open: Tuesday – Saturday, 11:30 am – 11:00 pm. Mondays 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm.
Imported wines kept chilled in a cellar.
