From movie outings to food browsing and fashion hunting, Bengaluru’s malls have long functioned as weekend getaways. But a recent discussion on Reddit sparked a larger debate: Is the city’s mall culture losing its spark?
A Bengali subreddit post titled “Is mall culture dying in the city?” went viral, with several users agreeing that many popular malls feel “tired” and lack the vibrancy they once had. A user who has been in the city since 2018 wrote that many spaces today feel “less like community centers and more like overpriced warehouses for retail”.
“Same food stalls, same layout, nothing exciting”
From familiar menus to repetitive store lines, several commentators echoed the sentiment that malls now offer little new.
“Every mall has the same brands…it’s like copy and pasting,” wrote one user.
Another added that older malls no longer look like social destinations and instead feel “empty” – lacking events, experiences or creativity.
Mall of Asia appears as an exception
One mall that has escaped criticism in the discussion is the recently launched Phoenix Mall Of Asia. Shoppers praised its massive scale, high ceilings and more “destination” feel.
A user wrote: “Traffic and air pollution are going crazy in the blur and ott is also the main reason a lot of people watch soap operas instead of hanging out…!!!”
“MoA still feels alive. Other malls seem like they’ve stopped caring,” read the comment.
With newer attractions such as large-scale entertainment zones and an open-concept design, many users said MoA brings back the excitement they once associated with shopping mall trips.
Not everyone agrees: Some say malls still draw crowds
The debate remains divided, with several users arguing that malls continue to do well – especially during weekends and sale seasons.
“Try to get a seat in any food court on a Saturday – packed,” pointed out one counter-commentator.
“Nah just got back from Nexus shantiniketan it was packed man. We in Bangalore East don’t have the luxury of traveling out of town every weekend so we often take our kids to the mall to enjoy some games and food,” wrote another.
“Online shopping >>>>>>> Traffic, Potholes, Fuel price, Parking charges, dealing with idiot cars, one way drivers, weekend office work,” wrote a third user.
Others noted that malls are adapting to more experiential spaces such as gaming arenas, breweries and pop-up markets.
Bengaluru’s Mantri Mall temporarily sealed due to tax levies
Last month, Mantri Mall in Malleshwaram was sealed by the Bengaluru civic body due to pending property tax payments. The mall was allowed to reopen later that day under a court order, the Indian Express reported.
This is not the first time that the popular shopping destination has faced a similar action. Mantri Mall has been closed several times in recent years, including in May 2024, due to alleged failure to settle property tax arrears estimated at around ₹50 million crowns.
Officials said the action is being extended to other commercial properties with significant unpaid fees. “We have identified tax defaulters who owe more than ₹5 million or ₹10 lakh and will also initiate winding-up proceedings against them,” the official said.
The civic body also uncovered irregularities in tax assessments in several commercial zones. In Indiranagar alone, a 20-member team audited 182 properties and found tax evasions of nearly ₹9 million crowns.
