Bangalore Entertainment
There are so many great ways to make the most of your trip in Bangalore. This vibrant city is a hub of activities and possibly the most exciting city in India.
Eating out
The very first thing you should keep in mind when you are out finding a place to eat is that Bangalore is very far from the sea, so if you have a sensitive stomach, do not try any seafood. That said, Bangalore boasts a variety of mouth-watering dishes including original Indian cuisine, which can be very spicy and hot. Once you are here, be brave and try one of these exotic dishes.
Bangalore food is largely non-greasy, roasted and steamed. Rice is the basis of every meal, which is served with huli (a thick soup with vegetables) or sambhar (a thick soup without vegetables), saaru or rasam (a thin soup), or dry and curried vegetables called palya. The meal usually ends with mosara anna (a mixture of rice with curds).
Coconut is an important ingredient in all Karnataka recipes. India has many kinds of curries for you to try. If you arent sure, ask the waiter to bring you one of the mild ones, so you can enjoy your food without having to break into a sweat.
Nightlife
When it comes to entertainment in India, nightlife is pretty much ruled out. However, Bangalore is different. As befitting the nickname the Pub City of India', Bangalore has much to offer party-goers. The city has a wide range of bars, pubs and clubs, but most of them close at midnight. However, at weekends, some clubs do not close until early morning and you can expect the wildest parties in India with vibrant music and hip people.
The most happening places are scattered around in the heart of the city, especially on Church Street, Brigade Road and MG Road. If you feel like mingling with the yuppie type of Bangalore IT tycoons and business people, head to Blue Ginger on Race Course Road or Zero G on Residency Road. The Club, about 15kms outside of the city, is also a good place to enjoy a party and spot beautiful people. You can take a dip in a swimming pool, dance in an open-air dance arena or an indoor disco.
As Bangalore hosts the headquarters of United Breweries, makers of the popular Kingfisher Beer, the city is definitely every drinker's dream.
Cultural shows
More relaxing and subtle evening entertainment includes a variety of cultural shows. Most hotels provide these shows, boasting fascinating dances and colourful, traditional costumes. The Bangalore Palace, situated in the city centre, occasionally organises stage performances and cultural shows for tourists. Bangalore also has many theatres where tourists can witness spectacular stage performances by Indian playwrights and directors, reflecting Indian perspectives.
Amusement parks and water parks
Bangalore is also an ideal destination for everyone in the family. Those with children should not miss the Bal Bhavan, located within Cubbon Park, a fantastic amusement park that will keep your little ones excited. Enjoy a long ride on a toy train through the park and take a walk around the Doll Museum. The Bah Bhavan also features many kinds of swings, horseback rides and tree houses, while the Vijayaranga Theatre shows childrens films and hosts stage plays.
Neeladri Amusement Park and Water Park is also a favourite with children. The park boasts 45 different fun rides, a video games arcade, Roman-styled amphitheatre, restaurants, ice-cream parlours and many interesting stalls. Another place worth visiting is Crazy Waters, located amid a rocky landscape, providing all kinds of slides, tunnels and a large pool for water park-lovers.
Shopping
Shopping in Bangalore is also fun, as Bangalore has many famous malls where you can shop until you drop. Head to some of the popular malls in Bangalore such as The Forum, Garuda Mall and Bangalore Central. but leave your car at your hotel, as it is almost impossible to find a car park.
Those who want to shop for local products and handicrafts, should stop by Sampige Road at Malleswaram where you can find many traditional South Indian-styled shops. Alternatively, many IT products and IT markets can also be found in Bangalore. As the name the Silicon Valley of India suggests, Bangalore is a hub of IT companies and dotcom businesses.