Bandstand: A Guide To Mumbai’s Iconic Promenade

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk along the Arabian Sea, enjoy the cool breeze, watch the sunset, and spot your favorite Bollywood stars? If yes, then Bandstand Promenade is the place for you. Bandstand Promenade is a 1.2 km long walkway along the seafront in Bandra, a suburb of Mumbai.

It is one of the most popular and scenic spots in the city, attracting thousands of visitors every day. Whether you are looking for a romantic date, a family outing, a cultural experience, or a celebrity encounter, Bandstand Promenade has something for everyone.

History of Bandstand Promenade

Bandstand Promenade has a rich and fascinating history that dates back to the 16th century. It was originally a fishing village called Bandora, which was ruled by the Portuguese until 1739. The Portuguese built a fort on a hill overlooking the sea, which is now known as Bandra Fort or Castella de Aguada.

The fort was used as a watchtower and a water reservoir for their ships. The Portuguese also built several Catholic churches in the area, such as St. Andrew’s Church, St. Peter’s Church, and Mount Mary Church. These churches are still standing today and are visited by pilgrims and tourists alike.

In the 19th century, Bandra became a part of British India and developed into a fashionable residential area for the elite. Many bungalows and villas were built along the seafront, which gave rise to the name Bandstand. The name comes from the fact that bands used to play music on a platform near the sea during festivals and events. Bandstand also became a popular venue for rock concerts in the 1970s and 1980s, featuring bands like Indus Creed, Parikrama, and Indian Ocean.

In the late 1990s, Bandstand Promenade underwent a major makeover by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The walkway was widened, landscaped, and beautified with benches, lights, fountains, and sculptures. An amphitheatre was also built near the fort, which hosts cultural events and performances throughout the year. Bandstand Promenade was inaugurated in 2002 by Amitabh Bachchan, one of the most famous Bollywood actors who lives nearby.

Attractions and Activities at Bandstand Promenade

Bandstand Promenade offers a variety of attractions and activities for visitors of all ages and interests. Here are some of them:

Bandstand Amphitheatre:

This is an open-air theatre that can accommodate up to 2,000 people. It is used for concerts, plays, festivals, and social gatherings. Some of the events that have taken place here include Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, Celebrate Bandra Festival, Mumbai Festival, and World Music Day.

Bandstand Walk of Stars:

This is a section of the promenade that features brass statues and handprints of Bollywood celebrities. It was launched in 2012 by UTV Stars as a tribute to the Indian film industry. Some of the stars who have been immortalized here include Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, and Amitabh Bachchan.

Bandstand Graffiti Wall:

This is a wall that showcases graffiti art by local artists. It was created in 2014 by St+art India Foundation as part of their Mumbai Street Art Festival. The wall features colorful murals that depict various themes such as social issues, urban culture, and Mumbai’s identity.

Sea View:

One of the main attractions of Bandstand Promenade is the stunning view of the Arabian Sea. You can see the waves crashing on the rocks, the boats sailing in the distance, and the birds flying in the sky. You can also witness some of the most beautiful sunsets in Mumbai from here.

Sunset Point:

This is a spot near the end of the promenade that offers a panoramic view of the sea and the sky during sunset. It is one of the most romantic places in Mumbai, where couples come to enjoy some quality time together. You can also find vendors selling snacks, drinks, balloons, and souvenirs here.

Celebrity Spotting:

Bandstand Promenade is also known for being home to some of the biggest Bollywood stars. You can see their lavish bungalows and apartments along the seafront, such as Mannat (Shahrukh Khan), Galaxy Apartments (Salman Khan), Jalsa (Amitabh Bachchan), Prateeksha (Amitabh Bachchan), Krishna Raj (Rishi Kapoor), and Sea Springs (Rekha). You might even get lucky and catch a glimpse of them or their family members if they come out for a walk or a drive.

Apart from these attractions, you can also enjoy some of the activities that Bandstand Promenade offers, such as:

- Walking, Jogging, Cycling, Skating: Bandstand Promenade is a great place to exercise and stay fit. You can walk, jog, cycle, or skate along the promenade and breathe in the fresh air. You can also join the Bandra Cycling Club, which organizes group rides every Sunday morning.

- Picnicking, Photography, Relaxing: Bandstand Promenade is a great place to relax and have fun with your friends and family. You can bring your own food and drinks and have a picnic on the grass or the benches. You can also take some amazing photos of the sea, the sky, the fort, and the stars. You can also just sit back and enjoy the view and the vibe of Bandstand Promenade.

- Celebrating, Partying, Dancing: Bandstand Promenade is a great place to celebrate and party with your loved ones. You can join the crowd and dance to the music at the amphitheatre during festivals and events. You can also watch the fireworks and lanterns that light up the sky during special occasions such as Diwali, New Year’s Eve, and Valentine’s Day.

Also check out: Top 12 places and activities in Bandra

Places to Visit Near Bandstand Promenade

If you want to explore more of Bandra and Mumbai, you can visit some of the nearby places from Bandstand Promenade, such as:

Carter Road:

This is another popular promenade that runs parallel to Bandstand Promenade. It is slightly longer (1.5 km) and has more eateries and cafes along the way. It is also home to some celebrities such as Aamir Khan, Farhan Akhtar, and Ranbir Kapoor.

Pali Hill:

This is a hilly area that is known for its greenery and tranquility. It is also one of the most expensive residential areas in Mumbai, where many celebrities live. You can see some of their bungalows here, such as Mannat Annex (Shahrukh Khan), Pali Hill Bungalow (Sanjay Dutt), and Krishna Cottage (Dharmendra).

Linking Road:

This is one of the most famous shopping streets in Mumbai, where you can find everything from branded clothes and accessories to street fashion and bargains. It is also a hub for foodies, where you can find cuisines from all over the world.

Hill Road:

This is another shopping street that is famous for its street food and flea market. You can find delicious snacks such as vada pav, pav bhaji, chaat, dosa, and kulfi here. You can also buy clothes, shoes, bags, jewelry, and souvenirs here at cheap prices.

Worli Sea Face:

This is a 4 km long promenade that connects Bandra to Worli. It offers a spectacular view of the sea link bridge that connects Mumbai’s western and southern suburbs. It is also a popular spot for jogging, cycling, skating, and kite flying.

Where to Stay Near Bandstand Promenade

If you are looking for a place to stay near Bandstand Promenade, you can choose from some of the top hotel collections near Bandstand Promenade, such as:

Taj Lands End:

This is a 5-star hotel that offers luxury and comfort with a stunning view of the sea and the city. It has 493 rooms and suites, 4 restaurants and bars, a spa, a fitness center, a swimming pool, and a business center. It is located at a distance of 1.2 km from Bandstand Promenade.

To book a stay at this property click here.

Ramee Guestline Hotel:

This is a 4-star hotel that offers convenience and affordability with a cozy ambiance. It has 33 rooms and suites, 2 restaurants and bars, a spa, a fitness center, a swimming pool, and a conference hall. It is located at a distance of 1.4 km from Bandstand Promenade.

To book a stay at this property click here.

Hotel Metro Palace:

This is a 3-star hotel that offers style and functionality with a modern decor. It has 35 rooms and suites, 2 restaurants and bars, a rooftop terrace, a banquet hall, and a travel desk. It is located at a distance of 2 km from Bandstand Promenade.

To book a stay at this property click here.

Hotel Rangsharda:

This is a 3-star hotel that offers simplicity and elegance with a traditional touch. It has 70 rooms and suites, 2 restaurants and bars, an auditorium, a lawn garden, and a business center. It is located at a distance of 2.2 km from Bandstand Promenade.

To book a stay at this property click here.

Where to Eat Near Bandstand Promenade

If you are looking for a place to eat near Bandstand Promenade Promenade, you can choose from some of the best cafes and restaurants in Mumbai that are close to Bandstand Promenade, such as:

Salt Water Cafe:

This is a cozy and chic cafe that serves continental and fusion cuisine. It is known for its breakfast menu, salads, sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, pastas, and desserts. It also has a bar that offers cocktails, mocktails, wines, and beers. It is located at a distance of 1.5 km from Bandstand Promenade.

Candies:

This is a quirky and colorful cafe that serves Indian and international cuisine. It is known for its cakes, pastries, muffins, brownies, cookies, and chocolates. It also has a variety of snacks, salads, wraps, rolls, sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, and noodles. It is located at a distance of 1.6 km from Bandstand Promenade.

Cafe Basilico:

This is a classy and elegant cafe that serves Mediterranean and Italian cuisine. It is known for its soups, salads, appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, pastas, risottos, and grills. It also has a bakery that offers breads, croissants, muffins, cakes, and pies. It is located at a distance of 1.7 km from Bandstand Promenade.

Pali Village Cafe:

This is a rustic and charming cafe that serves European and Asian cuisine. It is known for its brunch menu, salads, soups, starters, mains, and desserts. It also has a wine cellar that offers wines from around the world. It is located at a distance of 2 km from Bandstand Promenade.

Olive Bar & Kitchen:

This is a stylish and sophisticated restaurant that serves Mediterranean and European cuisine. It is known for its salads, mezze platters, pizzas, pastas, seafood, steaks, and desserts. It also has a bar that offers cocktails, mocktails, wines, and beers. It is located at a distance of 2.2 km from Bandstand Promenade.

Bandstand Promenade is one of the most iconic and beautiful places in Mumbai. It has a lot to offer to visitors of all ages and interests. Whether you want to learn about its history, enjoy its attractions and activities, explore its nearby places, stay at its hotels, or eat at its cafes and restaurants, Bandstand Promenade will not disappoint you.

So, what are you waiting for? Plan your trip to Bandstand Promenade today and share your experience with us.

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