What makes Bob’s Bar a Bengaluru favourite?

Discover the story behind Bob's Bar, a nostalgic watering hole in Bengaluru, capturing the essence of old-school cool

Who is the “Bob” in Bob’s Bar, Bengaluru’s favourite watering hole? If you are an old Bangalorean, you already know. Bob is not a who. Like ‘machha’ or ‘dude’, it is a casual shorthand for your friend. The origins of this very Bengaluru term are now lost in time. Like the name, Bob’s Bar is trying to capture a part of ‘Bangalore’ that seems to be slipping away — a laid-back cool, old-school rock, cheap quick bites, ever-flowing beer. As they open a new outlet, their fifth, on Wood Street, we try to pinpoint what made Bob’s Bar an instant hit.  

“We get our bar filled with ‘Bobs’. Many are unknown but over the visits they become known Bobs. So it was a very apt name,” says Ajay Gowda, a partner at Byg Ventures (the parent company) and the driving force behind Bob’s. Ajay’s vision for Bob’s Bar is simple: to keep it real. He believes in a no-frills, no-fuss environment where everyone feels at home.

A walk down memory lane. Remember Styx?

In 2018 the first Bob’s Bar opened in Indiranagar. Set inside an old bungalow, it encapsulated a nostalgic vibe. The half plate portion size of the appetisers and the competitively priced drinks made it an instant hit. Located in a strategic location, it has been a community space where many have met their new friend groups, partners, or even investors. It has wicker furniture, black and white tiles, and colonial architecture. The graffiti on the walls is an ode to iconic institutions from the city; there are artworks depicting Premier Bookshop, Koshy’s Cafe, MTR, Plaza Theater and Styx bar.

We sit down at a table at the new outlet, and Ajay casually mentions, “I started Styx too.” Styx was a bar located on MG Road in the early 2000s. “My dad had a transferable job. But wherever I was, in Bengaluru I used to drink at Purple Haze. One day I said to my friends, I think we can make a better bar. That is how Styx happened,” They were the first to play music videos in the pub and dedicated it to rock and metal music. 

As I do research for this article I come across old message boards and blogs talking about Styx.  “The music is mind blowing. The decor understated but cool. The DJ keeps belting out heavy metal and hard stuff. Thats the long haired one — forgot his name... ” says a review from January 2003. It closed its doors in 2010, but Styx even now has a Facebook fan-run page. This legacy explains that Ajay is in the right place at the right time with Bob’s. “I’m from that time. Today, to be relevant in the market, I am doing what I know best.” 

An ode to old Bangalore