In Calcutta, sometimes beer happens. And when it does, it is generally at the Fairlawn Hotel on Sudder street - just about the only place in Calcutta that could pass for being a ‘backpacker district’. I once nearly got thrown out of here for playing a game of shit head. Apparently playing cards are strictly taboo in this part of the world. The clientele is almost 100% NGO staff or MEN (the collective noun for males in india should always be in all-caps). Also, the only edible thing on the menu is fish and chips - and you’ll be lucky if they haven’t run out of that.