Tabla Bar and Cafe Lorong Sahabat Off Changkat Bukit Bintang

Before you ask,it means "Drum" in Tamil (I think)

What used to be "The Red Victorian" just around the corner from Havana has been imaginatively transformed into an Oldies Bar and Kitchen complete with a trio of musicians playing a selection of English,Indian and Chinese instrumentals using drum,violin and recorder.
It's quite a bold concept in an area where all the bars seem to merge into one, Tabla certainly stands-out as being a bit,well,...different.
And I mean that in a good way.
The interior is modern-chilled out with lots of red and black and has an interesting selection of photos and posters on the wall (check-out the Japanese soldiers in front of Masjid Jamek).
There is a nice long bar plus a patio outside.
The atmosphere is relaxed and laid-back and the staff seem pretty friendly.
The red under-the-bar lighting makes everybody glow with health.
Beer prices are quite reasonable at RM 11 for a mug of Tiger,which works out to about RM 12.70 after tax and there is the usual 3 pints for RM 55 promotion going on at the moment.
The Food Menu seems very interesting-lots of Indian dishes,Mutton Vindaloo at RM 17 seems pretty good plus there are the usual pizzas,fries and snacks.

Some of the pizza toppings have taken fusion food to new level-or even gone too far! but some may like it.

Tabla will be a good "after-work" bar or a place to drop-by for a couple of beers before heading somewhere else..I'm not sure I could spend a whole night there-as there is something about the red lighting that makes you feel a bit drowsy after a while....but isn't that the point of a chilled-out bar in the first place? 

All in all,Tabla is a bloody good effort at offering something a bit different.