Mumbai’s Rooftop Star, AER: Cocktails, Clouds And A Damn Cool Roof

Picture this, a bar so high up it feels like the aeroplane seat you can’t afford, except with far better cocktails and zero turbulence. AER is Mumbai’s OG rooftop queen, perched high atop the Four Seasons Hotel with views to kill and a new Wimbledonstyle roof. Rain, sun, humidity? Doesn’t matter, this swanky skylounge upped its game with yachtinspired vibes, seablue cushions, and jazz soundtracks that gently sway into funky beats as the evening turns electric.

Skyline, Sips, Serenity

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Mumbai’s monsoon? Unpredictable as always. One minute, glorious pink skies; the next, humidity so thick it’s like the city’s trying to give you a sweaty hug. That’s where AER comes in, a sanctuary floating 34 floors above the chaos, where the air’s lighter, the drinks are stronger, and the roof? Well, it moves. I arrived just as the sun was dipping its toes into the Arabian Sea, a chilled French rosé in hand faster than you could say ‘table for one.’ The first thing you notice is the design, it’s very ‘James Bond meets yacht life.’ Floor stripes like waves, deep blue cushions that feel like vacation, and wicker lamps softly glowing as the skyline transitions to twinkling city lights. It’s a vibe. Then there’s the retractable roof, a diva in its own right. Like clockwork, it glided open to reveal Mumbai’s sunlit sky. The air-conditioning didn’t miss a beat.

As I sunk deeper into my plush seat, a plate of truffle burrata appeared like magic, pillowy, indulgent, and as smooth as the transitions in the playlist. The music picked up from soulful jazz to funky basslines, just enough to make you tap your foot but sophisticated enough to keep the vibe. Behind the expansive fluted bar, a bartender was juggling bottles and winks like some mixology magician. Here, drinks don’t just enchant, they whisper brilliance. ‘Tranquil Tides’ is a meditative masterpiece, melding vodka, cucumber, and a surprising touch of cacao, like sipping calm itself. Flip the script with ‘Aer Picante’, a fiery duet of jalapeño and togarashi, or let the ‘AerPlane’ carry you, a bourbon fuelled riff with Amaro and a bittersweet grapefruit twist. I ordered their botanical gimlet, sharp, citrusy, and delicate, like a perfume for your tongue and settled into the kind of comfortable buzz where you stop checking your phone. A few steps away, the Gimlet Garden stands as Aer’s spirited, botanical twin, a quieter stage devoted to alchemy in a glass.

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City Heights, Perfect Nights

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AER understands pace. It’s not just about sunsets or photo ops (though you’ll be tempted to click away). It’s in the little details, elbow room by the bar, swivel chairs that make everyone feel like VIP seating, and dishes that don’t try to outshine the drinks but complement them perfectly. A lamb calzone, buttery and rich, did exactly that as I split it with a stranger turned friend. Timing is everything, arrive just before sunset to witness Mumbai’s skyline gilded in gold before the velvet night enfolds. And then, just as the night hit its sweet crescendo, the funk soundtrack gave way to a slower, laidback groove. Below, the city hummed, glowing like a galaxy in a Petri dish. Above? Just me, my gimlet, and a feeling that maybe this is what happiness tastes like.

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