Okay, let’s just admit it. Dubai doesn’t need another party on the calendar. But when it’s Mumbai knocking on the door, loud, chaotic, and unapologetically fun, you don’t say no. This Saturday, 6th September, The Huddle at Citymax Bur Dubai is basically turning into Bandra West with neon lights. Bandra Fest 2025 is the name, and it’s thirteen hours of absolute madness that’s coming to Dubai. Noon till 3 AM. Yes, you read that right.
From Bandra To Bur Dubai, The Huddle Gets A Mumbai Makeover This Saturday
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Here’s the thing. Most pub nights in the city? Same drill: one band, one DJ, shuffle to your Uber by midnight. Not here. 24K Events are cramming in everything. You’ve got the 24K Band and N2M Band throwing down sets that blend Goan nostalgia with proper Mumbai crowd-pleasers.
And when they’re done? That’s when DJs Roland, Nathan, and Preetam step in. The playlist? A total rollercoaster, Konkani sing-alongs, old-school Hindi bangers, even a few guilty-pleasure pop tracks. Don’t roll your eyes, you’ll dance to them. We all do.
Truth be told, this isn’t even a concert. It’s an endurance test in disguise. Can you keep moving till 3 in the morning? Only one way to find out.
The Food Steals The Spotlight At Bandra Fest In Dubai
But let’s not pretend we’re only here for the music. Food is half the story. Actually… scratch that, food is the story. The Huddle’s kitchen has gone full-on Bombay lane vibes.
Buttery pao hugging spicy cutlets. Dabelis that crunch at the right second. Bowls of Xacuti are rich enough to knock you off your chair. And messy chaat, the kind you eat standing up, because honestly, who can sit still with tamarind chutney dripping off the side?
Then the drinks arrive. And this is where it gets cheeky. Spiked golas, tangy chuskis, kokam cocktails. And one called Bandra ki Public. What’s in it? No idea, but it already sounds like the sort of drink you regret and then order again. Prices kick off at AED 30, which is both dangerous and delightful.
Daytime Candy, Night-Time Chaos
Here’s what surprised me: they didn’t forget the families. Daytime looks pretty wholesome: kids running around with painted faces, free candy, a little carnival buzz. By sundown? Whole different scene. Volume up, lights low, and suddenly you’re shoulder to shoulder with strangers, yelling the chorus to some 90s Bollywood track you didn’t think you remembered.
Why It Hits Different
Now, let’s face it. Dubai is drowning in festivals. Food fests, music nights, cultural mash-ups, there’s one every weekend. So why does this work? Because it’s not polished. It’s not “fusion dining” with six forks on the table. It’s nostalgia, raw and loud. The taste of home for expats. A curiosity trip for locals. And let’s be honest, anyone who grew up near Bandra knows, you don’t forget that energy.
Cover Image Courtesy: Supplied
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