One Flight Down

Descend the stairs, open the doors and brace yourself. And if you're of the feminine gender, just keep clutching at your boyfriend's hand. 'Cos you are now entering one of the city's most rocking pubs.

Many might not concur with that rather arresting prelude, but there is no denying the fact that in the past few years OFD has been driving its image of a watering hole for the "socially indolent". Located in mid-town Hyderabad, the pub is visited by a crowd whose only connection with the Page 3 scene is that the OFD-regulars are not rich suckers. The clientele is regulated to college-students, young professionals or middle-aged businessmen who fancy a night of loud music in smoke-filled halls.

OFD has different themes all through the week, with Saturdays Rock Nites being the most popular. There are times when OFD hosts band performances on a weekly basis. This has led to many from Hyderabad's teeny-weeny rock fraternity adopting OFD as their hangout. Sadly, Hyderabad is not Liverpool and One Flight Down is no Cavern Club.

The food is strictly vegetarian, and is provided courtesy of Quality Inn Residency, whose management runs the pub. Good seating arrangements and comfortable pricing are given our thumbs-up, but the ventilation needs help. After all, the ambience doesn't serve much of a purpose when one can't walk with his head straight. So make sure you've got a friend along during one of those rock-nights, since the place is choc-a-bloc.