Shillong, Feb. 1: Nightlife in the Meghalaya capital has gone from sedate to sizzling. The first discotheque in Shillong opened its doors to the town?s footloose and fancy-free brigade this weekend, promising to give them an ?international clubbing experience?.
The new nightspot, Platinum, is an extension of Hotel Polo Towers and equipped with the latest DJ equipment and a rocking sound system. It has, Polo Towers? regional manager Deval Tibrewalla declared, everything a party animal could desire.
?To keep the night going, we have a bevy of beverages ? from seductively named cocktails to the finest scotch. Teetotallers can sample some mind-blowing mocktails.?
The ambience of Platinum, designed by Guwahati-based Basabi Bose, is funky and futuristic. Neon and psychedelic lights, mirrors and an island bar make it a fascinating place to be in. On weekdays, the discotheque will function as a lounge.
The Polo Towers management has roped in DJ Ritesh Batra from Calcutta to keep the crowds glued to the dance floor. ?Entertainment is the buzzword. To make it the most happening place in town, we will host fashion shows, hip-hop and classic rock nights and performances by fire dancers,? Tibrewalla said.
Nightlife in Shillong, hitherto restricted to private parties, will become even more frenetic when entrepreneur Mary Tariang?s proposed resto bar-cum-dance floor at O.B. Shopping Mall opens in March. She has chosen the name Tango for her venture.
?My idea is to encourage families to come out and have a nice time together,? Tariang, whose college days in Bangalore made her an avid partygoer, said. ?I have always been interested in entertainment and Tango has been on my mind ever since I returned to Shillong.?
Tariang?s Swish Caf?, a coffee shop, is doing good business and she is confident Tango would not disappoint her. ?Shillongites work hard and now want to party hard. The Northeast as a whole is not used to nightlife because of insurgency, but now that the atmosphere is changing, I would like to bring a slice of metro culture to Shillong,? she said.
When it comes to entertainment, Shillong never had it so good.