Use your BB Messenger to book a table at Mumbai eateries

Andheri resident Rohan Antao, 26, has found a better way to find a place at his favourite Churchgate restobar, before actually getting there.

With just a ‘ping’ or an instant message from his BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) to restobar Valhalla, Antao learns within seconds how packed the club is and whether he would be allowed to enter when he gets there in the next 35 minutes.

“It’s better than reaching the club and finding out it’s packed or entry is not allowed. Everyone works till late so sometimes we pointlessly spend half our partying time waiting to enter the club,” says Antao, an advertising professional.

It’s to provide this kind of lightning-fast convenience to patrons that restaurants and bars like Escobar, Valhalla, Soda, and other lifestyle companies have recently started giving out BBM updates.

All they have done is invested in a BlackBerry (BB) phone, which is constantly manned by the staff. They give out the BB PIN (personal identification number) to customers using BB and ask them to add the bar or company to their BBM.

“This way, while sending out club updates like gig details or new menus, I know I am talking to people who want to know more. It’s different from my SMS database that reaches people who may not even care,” says Rahul Kanuga, director, Valhalla.