Restaurant India News: Kojak Opens in Juhu as Mumbai’s New Mystery-Led Cocktail Bar

Kojak, a new cocktail bar has opened in Juhu, Mumbai, introducing a story-driven drinking experience to the neighborhood’s nightlife. The bar blends narrative, design and modern mixology, offering guests an immersive setting built around mystery and discovery.

Kojak is promoted by two female founders who have chosen to remain anonymous, reflecting the bar’s mystery-led concept. The project is led operationally by Founding Partner and COO Khalid Ansari, with narrative development by The Alkemist Project.

The concept is inspired by the fictional legend of a man known as Kojak, whose “lost” leather notebook filled with sketches, notes and cocktail idea forms the creative foundation of the bar. This theme shapes Kojak’s identity, with subtle design details and a slow-revealing atmosphere that encourages exploration.

Designed by Esquisse Design, the space balances moody interiors with a lighter alfresco section. The layout uses light, texture and layered elements to create different moods, moving from intimate indoor corners to an open-air setting.

“Kojak is more than a bar, it’s a feeling,” says Founding Partner & COO Khalid Ansari. “We wanted to create a place where every element, from the cocktails to the design, carries intention. It’s a world built on curiosity, quiet elegance, and the belief that the best stories are the ones you discover slowly.”

The food menu was curated by Culinary Director Suheb Chawdhary, features contemporary global bar fare. Highlights include Tuna Tartare, Turkish Lamb Kebab, Butter Chicken Gnocchi, Togarashi-crusted Sea Bass and Roasted Pepper Coulis with Charred Zucchini, designed to pair with the cocktail programme. At the bar, Head Mixologist Ratan Upadhyay leads the Cocktail Lab, presenting a menu of experimental cocktails inspired by the Kojak narrative. Each drink is positioned as a chapter from the notebook, using techniques such as clarifications, infusions and distillations.

With its focus on storytelling, cocktails and design, Kojak aims to offer a distinctive addition to Juhu’s evolving nightlife scene.