Restaurant India News: Sofitel Mumbai BKC Kicks Off 2026 With Whisky-Led Bar Takeover at Le Bar

Sofitel Mumbai BKC has opened its 2026 hospitality calendar with its first bar takeover of the year at Le Bar Diamantaire, reflecting a continued focus on weekday-led experiential dining and beverage collaborations. The one-night event brings together structured mixology programming, international whisky positioning, and food pairing as part of the hotel’s broader food and beverage strategy.

The takeover is led by Keir Williams in collaboration with Ballantine’s Finest, positioning Le Bar as a whisky-centric social space for the evening. The format is designed to offer guests an immersive yet accessible experience, aligning with the growing demand for curated bar concepts within luxury hotels. The bar’s extension is utilised to support higher guest flow and extended engagement during peak evening hours.

The beverage menu features a focused lineup of Ballantine’s signature serves, including the Speyside Berry Sour, Ballouvardier, Basil Smash, Ballantine’s Ginger Lime, and the Pickle Back. Complementing the bar program is Pondichéry Café’s established Friday Special Barbecue menu, allowing the property to integrate existing culinary strengths into the takeover format while driving cross-outlet consumption.

Keir Williams, who leads the evening, brings industry credibility as a third-generation whisky professional with Scottish roots and global exposure. His background includes hands-on experience at Speyside distilleries, WSET certification, and professional association with Pernod Ricard. His approach positions whisky as a contemporary, inclusive category, appealing to both seasoned consumers and newer audiences.

The event will take place at Le Bar Diamantaire, Sofitel Mumbai BKC, on Friday, 23rd January 2026, starting at 7PM onwards. The initiative reflects how luxury hotels are leveraging brand-led bar takeovers and spirits partnerships to increase midweek relevance, strengthen beverage identity, and deliver differentiated guest experiences without altering core outlet formats.