Mayajaal

Mayajal has everything that one could think of for a weekend - all in one roof - Some 8 or so different movie theatres, food court, childrens play area, bowling arena, snooker, music place, shops, an entire sports complex (with facility to play any game literally), a bar attached to the sports complex, a great cricket ground (where international matches have taken place btw!). Its some time since i have gone there - heard they have introduced more theatres and a go-karting place was coming up. Good place for the weekend since its at least a 1 hour drive from anywhere in the city on the East Coast Road. Weekend also makes the ECR crowded more so it can be a bit of a pain.

Ideal for (a) corporate parties (the IT Services companies does them for thousands of people in the ground) (b) Night time treat if you are working somewhere along OMR or ECR (has a bar with a quite place for dinner as well - food served is not any great though) (c) Weekend drive for the children (ECR is a great road to drive less the traffice) (d) All things under 1 roof (only place in Chennai that has got such a wide spread) (e) Comfortable cinema experience (chairs are nice comfy)

The Pain points (a) Distance from the city - specially driving back in peak traffic in the evenings (b) Quite expensive - ticket costs are in the range of 200 bucks in the weekend and snacks are obscenely expensive (c) Food quality is very very ordinary across the place