Tulleeho Bar Reviews - Mumbai : Gokul

Gokul Restaurant and Permit Room is the ultimate drinking factory. One of Mumbai’s landmarks, this place is located opposite Bade Mian the kababci whom some hold in higher esteem than the celebrated Tunde. To the Tulleeho team Tunde Kebabi will remain supreme. Even the one vegetarian in the team will swear by the Lord of the Lucknow Chowk. One must explain why: Veggie walked into Tunde with some hard-core carnivores and got sidelined as usual. The chap at the cash counter saw him picking at his parathas, deduced the reason and voila a sabji was prepared especially without anybody asking for it. Would Bade Mian ever do that?

Back to Gokul. The guy who started Gokul was a visionary at par with the late Henry Ford. In his mind’s eye he must have seen images of guys milling around after work looking for some cheap place to have a quick one or a long session after work, without any frills or fuss and Gokul was born. If you are looking for a quick cheap binge before catching the 8.32 F to Borivili, this is your place. No decor, no music. Just cheap liquor and an atmosphere to match. There are lots of functional booths that must have been arranged by an assembly line boss. Optimum usage of space, and the waiters are a study in robotic efficiency. There is a mezzanine of sorts, which I suppose has a similar seating plan. There is an AC section where the better heeled and the rare woman go.

No cocktails and no happy hours. You get the stuff in quarts and nips and the prices are approx. 25% above the retail prices outside. There is a snack menu and the Chilli Paneer really scalds. Actually the food here is an aside. The leitmotif of the place is the drink.

The place is a microcosm of Bombay. Theÿ booth next to ours had a couple of Shiv Sena types who were wondering what the next agitation would be about. Across the aisle a few Gujju traders were tanking up before cruising the streets. A bhaiya from Boisar was tucking into chilli chicken while some African students lent an international touch. In the far corner a major session was on judging from the number of empty bottles that were stacked artistically. A good time was being had by all.

Friday nights are supposed to be cruise time for those who're AC/DC.

There are other quirks to this place. The toilet has a basin at each of the corners and you piss in splendid isolation.

Gokul has a cult following of sorts and there are some people who swear by it. The atmosphere is distinctive and you don’t face fiscal catastrophe after spending an evening here. Make it a point to check it out if you are in S. Bombay, but avoid taking the better half.


Tull-ee-ho! : A combination of the old hunting cry Tally Ho! and the colloquial Hindi drinking word "tullee". Also Indian for cheers.