A pitcher of sangria or a tall glass of Long Island Iced tea can only taste better when the price of each drink fluctuates in accordance with real-time demand. This is the premise of The Bar Stock Exchange (TBSE), a concept bar with a novel way of serving alcohol that was launched by childhood friends and co-founders, Mihir Desai and Amit Singh.

The idea germinated when Mihir was on a trip to New York in 2014. He came across a brewery trading in beer just like a stock exchange trades in stocks. He watched in fascination as alcohol prices listed on gigantic screens varied according to the demand - if the orders were more, the price would be higher. He came back to India and launched a similar enterprise with Amit. And, ever since, The Bar Stock Exchange has captured the imagination of an audience that is always looking for new and fresh ideas.

Where it all began

Mihir felt the entrepreneurial streak ever since his graduation and he jumped head long into the hospitality industry after completing a bartending course from London. He has, since then, run over seven restaurants, and developed a deep insight into restaurants and their trends. Now on the brink of expanding all his current restaurant offerings, he is looking forward to experimenting with newer restaurant concepts and offerings.

“After our first stint together as partners in Monza and Lemon Grass Phoenix, my friend Amit Singh and I formed ‘Corum’, which has, in less than a decade, created three successful and popular brands spanning over 12 locations in Mumbai,” says Mihir. 

The two friends learnt the business the hard way, and later they decided to try their luck with bars. “We were determined to do something new, and as there were no concept bars at the time, we hit on the idea of TBSE and launched it in 2014,” remembers Mihir. “It was the first concept bar at the time. On the very first day we had 700 guests. After some time, we decided to get into a franchise model in other states.”

For the love for cars

But it is not all business with Mihir. In a conversation with YS Weekender, he lets us in on his lifelong love for cars. he says.

“My love for cars is something beyond words can explain,”

“It is a passion since I was a child. Also, I have a cabinet where I have model cars of the best cars in the world, and the ones that I want to own. I have been collecting them since I was five years old. After I started my business, my aim was to make the toy cars come alive and drive in them. Fortunately, I have been successful so far.”

Mihir likes to add one car a year to his collection. “Driving is my way of unwinding. I do not let anyone else drive my cars. My first car was a Ford, presented to me by my dad,” he remembers. “As it was my first car I would stop studying and go around the city. In 15 days, my father took the car away as I was not studying at all. Some years later, I bought my own car. I keep track of all the new cars and read all the car magazines like Top Gear. Now, I have a Phantom Rolls Royce and a Bentley. I do not buy these cars for speed. In Mumbai, speed is out of the question in streets where there are more than 20,000 rickshaws. I have four cars but I use my SUV Mercedes GST and my Bentley over the weekends.”

According to Mihir, Italians are the best car makers as they make cars with the best technology. “I like late night or early morning drives in and around Mumbai as it is calm and silent in the city at those times,” he says.

Time keepers unite

Mihir also loves to collect watches and is always looking to add more watches to his collection. “I have a fairly large collection now with two Hublot Big Bang, two AP Safaris, a Rolex, and many more.” He is amazed at how expensive watches have now become, and adds that certain watches can cost upto Rs 3 crore. “A good watch speaks volumes about the owner’s choice and taste in fashion,” he says.

Mihir buys his watches during his travels, or if he finds a good one at exclusive launches. “I keep my watches in my locker and when I wear them I make sure I am careful with my hand,” he adds.

Clean bowled

When he has the time, Mihir enjoys a good game of cricket. “Every Sunday I play at a small club in the city,” he says. “I also take part in corporate matches. In India, cricket is a religion but for me, it is a stress buster. I like to take the time to play cricket and not think about work.”

Mihir spends around five hours every Sunday playing cricket. “We play a number of friendly matches whenever we can. Cricket teaches us a lot of patience and I also think you get to move, instead of sitting hours on end watching Netflix. You also get new ideas about work as you play,” he adds.

Bitten by the travel bug

Mihir loves travelling whenever he can get away from work. Over the weekends he makes sure he is always active. “I like to go swimming or gymming. My weekends begin with these activities and then I juggle my time between my family and meetings. On weekends, I prefer going out for a quiet family dinner to one of the nearby Asian restaurants,” he says.

One of his favourite travel destinations is Dubai. “I have a house there and I like to spend two or three months there.”

“Travel gives you an opportunity to explore.When I travel, I like doing the things the locals do, like swimming in a frozen lake in the ice cold water or cycling or skiing. Travel helps me unwind completely. I love mountain holidays the most, much more than a seaside vacation.”

Fit and fine

Fitness is very important to Mihir. “I believe everyone should spend a good amount of time staying fit,” he says. “I spend at least one hour each day doing kickboxing and weight lifting – all of which keeps me agile. Since I am in the restaurant and bar business I do not get to sleep till 2.30 am every day. So, I need to keep exercising to stay fit. But, even so, spending time with my family is top priority for me.”