Three Reasons We're Heading To Fun Republic Social In Andheri Tonight

“I’ll see you at Social” is not a simple statement anymore. With two branches in Parel alone, we’ve often been in a “Where the hell are you/I meant the one in Todi Mills/I’m at Palladium/Why do we even try to meet” situation.

Their newest outlet in Andheri has much of the fare that we’re used to in their other branches – the impossible to manuevre parchment-like menus, the towering Long Island Iced Teas and the amazing breakfast options – but what’s new? We headed to the Fun Republic Social to give you the low-down on our picks on what makes a hike to Andheri worth it.

While most of the menu remains the same – hello keema samosas, our old friends – this branch has some special offerings for the non-vegetarians. For starters, we loved the ghee roast mutton bao because the meat was tender and perfectly spiced, but we have to admit that maybe a bao isn’t the most hospitable home for an Indian-style meat. The filling overwhelmed the taste of the bun. We were much more partial to the simple bhuna chicken sausage pao, which was the perfect accompaniment to our drinking session.

When it came to mains, we tried the Black Label butter chicken, served to us on what resembled a small blackboard. While the Black Label taste wasn’t very discernable – which disappointed our whisky-loving companions, who were hoping for the ultimate one-two Punjabi knockout with this dish – the gravy was creamy, the chicken was tender and the naan fresh. They’ve also added a pasta station, so if keema pasta is a concept you’ve pondered before, this is the right place for you.

We tried two of the Fun Republic Social’s new offerings, which were highly recommended by our server. The Thai Maalish for INR 295 is Thai cuisine in a glass – gin is served with kaafir lime, basil, galangal, lemongrass and coconut water.

The second one was much more unusual: the Mick Jaggery {for INR 295 as well} is rum served with jaggery syrup, lemongrass and soda. It was slightly sweeter than we’re used to, but our friend, who likes their alcohol to not taste like alcohol, enjoyed it immensely.

Unlike other Socials, which tend to favour an industrial chic vibe, this branch is louder than our bosses after we miss a deadline. Think floral printed walls, red drapes, mirrored ceilings and checkered floors. This branch is apparently a tribute to its surroundings – Andheri being the epicentre of Bollywood – which explains the vintage photos of stars from yesteryears staring moodily out at us from the walls.

It’s an ambience best suited for selfies and surreal Instagram-worthy shots of English queens with Snapchat filters. Though it doesn’t seem very work-friendly, this Social has the largest workspace area of all their branches, with 80 workspots and three meeting rooms. So the next time you want to infuse a boring meeting with a little more #drama, Fun Republic Social might be a good idea.

Price: INR 295 upwards for cocktails, INR 360 for the Black Label butter chicken