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Perched high up on the 13th floor of Barton Center on M.G. Road and opposite its sister restaurant Ebony, is Bangalore's newest and hippest watering hole, which has been nomenclatured quite simply as " The 13th Floor”. Nearly all of life's activities be it shopping, eating or drinking happen around Bangalore's Mahatma Gandhi Road. The 13th Floor is located bang in the middle of M.G.Road at Barton Center. And yes, it is located on the 13th floor of this building.

Among the newest attractions in the city and very categorical about how they would like to be described, The 13th Floor is a cocktail lounge and not a 'pub'. Presently one of the most happening night spots for Bangaloreans as well as out-of-towners. Says General Manager.

Krishna Shantakumar, "We definitely target the 35 and above age group". And while the place sees quite a few of the targeted age group, its attractions among the younger lot continue to grow.

What The Cities Say

Very contemporary interiors with their USP of half the lounge being open that allows its patrons a spectacular view of the city at night makes it a definite 'place to be spotted at'. And the definition of the place is not the only thing the management is particular about; the music too caters to the taste of their target audience

Very retro with no trance, house or the likes. Be it any day of the week, this is one nightspot that doesn't want for patrons. So if you're planning a visit on Friday or Saturday, reservations are a must especially if you're particular about being seated.

That's where the simplicity ends. Because it is a beautiful Restaurant cum Bar which is described as a Lounge by its owner Rajesh Rajaram. What strata does a Lounge fit into I query? "Well, you first have the pub, then comes the lounge at the top of the ladder so to speak. But you'll notice that while the ambience is lounge, the pricing is pub," he said. I agree, I mean a beer costs a hundred bucks, which is really good.

You see the place is a part indoors and a large part outdoors only 2/3rds of which is covered. And being upon the 13th Floor of a location like Barton Center offers a magnificently panoramic view of Bangalore; virtually like being perched in an Eagle's eyrie – superb.

This aside, the Cheese and Sun dried Tomato Croquettes are truly yum. The Gai Sarong are the most texturally and tastily terrific, crispy Chicken mince balls fired with a Thai herb and curry paste with rice mixed in. Then there was the Neur Daet Dio or Thai Crispy Beef with fresh crispy spring onions and sundry other light veggies mixed in and which is and spicy yet more. All these come under the heading of " aPpPetEaSeRs" and apart from being difficult to type out are a joy not only to behold but, to whet (if you're greedy and over do them!) the appetite with.

Then of course you come to the "gEtTiNg DoWn To buSiNeSs" segment on the MeNu(oops!) - Baggio's Folly - Chicken Marinara with Penne and a crumbed Cheese & Veg Mannicotti - Rrowff! or should be that gentle purrr! Actually it's both, Followed by the Thai Curry Platter in Prawn (you have a choice of chicken and Veggie too). Excellent is mild word for this one. The "sWeEt EnDiNgs" were the Triple Chocolate Mousse will have you doing hand stands but be careful if you're near the railing.

Last but most definitely not the least The music is "our" kind of stuff - retro - none of all that Garage/ Trance stuff. This is music you and I not only recognize and sing along with, it's positively difficult to sit down to.

The first a "Lounge with a view” gets its name from the floor it is located on. A lounge with a sit out overlooking the city. The place was converted from these three suites of the Ivory Tower Hotel of which it is a part. This Chic year-and-a-half old place has been designed Kabir Hira. It is an elegant blend of brushed steel and glass offset with the upholstery in purple, ochre and blue.

There is normally a very little to distract you from a quiet conversation and a Peach Daiquiri - whether it is the absence of loud jarring music or the clutter of 'events' - ideal for an evening out or a business dinner to spear in a client. The drinks ere are named after weapons. There is the 'Most Wanted List' of cocktails, the "Usual Suspects" - Pina Colada, Martini, Bloody Mary. Apart from these there are 'silent killers' which are essentially mocktails - Stiletto, a blend of Irish cream, spices and fresh cream, Arsenic and Old Lace, mixing iced tea and ginger-ale and flavored with black currant and passion fruit. But, on a Friday night it is a throbbing affair. The music gets heavier, and you can actually wait to close to 20 minutes to park yourself somewhere. Despite, the crush, there is a calm in the service - you may have to fight to get the waiter's attention. The comfort lies in the fact, that nobody is really in hurry to see you out either. Any which way, it is better stay put because at one point it would just above every one in Bangalore has landed up there.