South Mumbai has always felt a little formal to me — polite dining rooms, fairly predictable drinks, and a tendency to stick to what already works. It is not the part of the city that surprises you often, and it is not entirely known for loosening up after hours. Which is why 8ish, Rachel Goenka’s newest project, feels like a small but noticeable shift in mood. It wants people to slow down, sip at their own pace, and treat the evening as something other than another appointment on the calendar.
Interiors of 8ish
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Special arrangement
Rachel, known for The Sassy Spoon, House of Mandarin, Baraza and Sassy Teaspoon, describes 8ish as a place built around the “in-between moments” of the day — that time when you are not quite finished with work but not fully committed to a night out either. “We didn’t want to take ourselves too seriously,” she says, and the space reflects that intention. Set in the middle of Nariman Point, a neighbourhood that usually prioritises urgency over ease, 8ish positions itself as a bar that wants to become a habit rather than an event.
The palette is calm — textured grey walls, wood, leather — giving the room a grounded feeling. The bar, in deep maroon marble edged with copper, is the visual anchor without trying to dominate the space. Lighting is warm but not dramatically dim, and the seating works for both a quick drink or a longer, more relaxed evening. The al fresco area offers an outdoor alternative, keeping the overall space accessible and unfussy.
The cocktail programme
Where 8ish does push beyond the neighbourhood’s usual comfort zone is at the bar. The cocktail programme is built around ingredients sourced from across India — including Goa, the North East, and coastal farms — as well as from markets in Bangkok, China and Australia. Many of these are foraged or preserved through techniques like distillation, pickling, lacto-fermentation and hydrosol extraction. It is not innovation for the sake of it; the idea is to work with ingredients thoughtfully rather than relying on standard formulas.
Leading the bar is Jishnu AJ, whose experience at Ekaa, KOKO, the Four Seasons and Marriott Kochi shows in the structure and consistency of the drinks. He describes the menu as being built around moods rather than styles, and while that sounds conceptual, the cocktails themselves remain approachable.
The buff and bone marrow sliders
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Sambuca otgarashi scallops, corn puree and edamame relish
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We tried a few across these moods, and they each had their own rhythm. Familiar Stranger, a mix of rum, smoked agave, calamansi, coriander and tonic, opened bright with a gentle smoky note, leaning refreshing but with an edge that might split preferences. Nearly Misbehaved, made with gin, chingfing, mint and apple juice, felt easy and familiar — pleasant to drink, though not particularly distinctive. Liquid Sand, combining gin with mugwort, smoked agave and Lillet Blanc, had a grounded, slightly earthy profile that some will find calming while others may want a clearer flavour direction. The standout among the ones we tried was Parallel Mood, a reposado-based drink with plum lacto, apple juice and mixed-spice hydrosol; it held its layers well without pushing too hard for attention.
Nearly Misbehaved cocktail
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Special arrangement
Liquid Sand cocktail
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Special arrangement
The food continues the same steady, comfort-driven approach. Rachel calls it “elevated everyday comfort food,” which feels accurate: the dishes are built to share, to snack on, and to pair with drinks without overwhelming the experience. The cheesy bread, with smoked scamorza and a tomato chilli jam, is simple and satisfying, though the jam could benefit from a bit more sharpness. The buff and bone marrow sliders offer good flavour, though the richness makes it more of a two-bite item than something you would repeat. The pulled lamb toastie with salsa verde is one of the more balanced plates — hearty without being heavy.
8ish seats around 120 guests, but the room does not feel overbearing. It maintains a steady, relaxed energy, which seems to be the point. “I wanted to build the kind of place I’d want to go myself,” Rachel says. “Somewhere familiar and comfortable. You don’t have to dress up — just come as you are.” It is a straightforward intention, and for the most part, 8ish stays true to it.
A meal for two costs ₹3,000 plus taxes
Published – November 30, 2025 07:30 am IST
