Across generations Toto’s Garage emerged as a rite-de–passage for several Mumbaikars It turned out to be the place of post-work spontaneous gathering lessening of tension and late-night conversations that streamed onto the pavement. It survived shifting alcohol laws, changing tastes, the rise of cocktail lounges, and the pressures of redevelopment in Bandra. Through it all, its core remained unchanged.
Laju Bhatia’s passing away has prompted an outpouring of memories from patrons past and present. Even as Ashok Totlani passed away in 2022, and the bar has since continued under the stewardship of the next generation, Bhatia’s presence remained intensely intertwined with Toto’s identity. His depart to the ‘immortal’ world marks the end of an era, not merely for the bar, but for a particular chapter of nightlife history of Mumbai.
Toto’s Garage continues to operate, its music still blaring and its Beetle still suspended overhead. In a city where restaurants and bars open and shut with relentless speed, Toto’s stands as a rare constant. Laju Bhatia’s legacy lives on in every crowded night, clinking glass, and familiar chorus sung along to a classic rock track.
Laju Bhatia was instrumental in preserving that spirit. Regulars often speak of how he made the bar feel personal, even when it was packed wall to wall. He was acknowledged for greeting his guests warmly, keeping an eye on the room, and ensuring that the atmosphere remained welcoming rather than intimidating. In an industry progressively motivated by scale and spectacle, Bhatia represented a more human approach to hospitality that rooted in familiarity and community.
RIP Laju Bhatia
News Edit KV Raman
