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ROOFTOP RESTAURANTS GET LEGAL NOD IN MUMBAI

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Had a hard day and looking to chill out? Forget the usual hangout bar or gastropub across the street. Instead, head onto the roof to chill over a refreshing drink and some tasty food! That’s right. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) revised draft development plan will allow rooftop restaurants on terraces of commercial buildings across the city. And with the new official go ahead for the same, this could well change the nightlife of Mumbai and its skyline dramatically..

WILL BE A WELCOME CHANGE

Globetrotter Suhel Seth says with rooftop eateries set to turn into a reality, it will be a welcome change for the city “I’m so glad this could finally happen. After all, where can one enjoy the sky in Mumbai? Also, you have to give people places to enjoy themselves in, otherwise this is just a cosmopolitan slum. The move would also be multi-faceted—for one, you encourage people to go out and destress, plus they can experience global cuisine, so its great. Top cities did this years ago. Look at Bangkok, where the world’s highest restaurant Sirocco is atop a commercial building on the 63rd floor.”

`WHY NOT FILM SCREENINGS ON TERRACES TOO?’

Photographer Sheena Sippy echoes the sentiment. “Undoubtedly an apt idea,” she starts, adding, “There are never enough places to enjoy here, especially open-air places, and though we have a small window of appreciation for it in terms of climate, it would be very exciting. Cities like New York have fabulous terrace eateries.” She also feels there’s much that we can do with the space. “People already do terrace gardens and farms, so anything is possible. I’d say why restrict yourself to just eateries, why not have art galleries with art that can exposed to the elements. Our city lacks enough spaces for culture too, so why not have recitals or film screenings on large terraces, like in New York?” she asks.

What the new policy says

As per a news report, in the revised draft, the BMC has included a sub-section on the use of the terrace of a building. It stated that “fully commercial buildings including residential hotels’ terraces may be permitted to be used as a restaurant.” However, there are conditions to this policy. An official also stated while this will allow existing structures to legalise their terrace restaurants and bars, such restaurants will need to obtain a separate license from the state excise department to serve liquor. Officials added that such restaurants will also not be allowed to cover up with temporary sheds in the rain and indicated that they will have to shut their business in the monsoon.

CURRENT SUCH PLACES DEEMED ‘ILLEGAL’

There are a few rooftop restaurants that do exist in the city, but the BMC claims they are all illegal. “We are making provisions for such restaurants in the revised draft DP2034, but they will be conditional,” a senior BMC officer was quoted as saying in a report.

TOP ROOFTOP EATERIES IN THE WORLD

  • I Coq d’Argent, London

This large rooftop terrace eatery with essentially French food, in the heart of London’s Bank area, offers an almost panoramic view of the city from above.

  • Georges, Paris

This one, set atop a cultural hub — Centre Pomidou — in Paris, attracts as much of the fashion Prat as gastronomes.

  • Alma, Brooklyn

Set on a rooftop, this restaurant presents al fresco dining as well as a sweeping view of Manhattan and offers Mexican-inspired cuisine.

Source: TOI
(Photo: architecturaldigest)

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