India's bar culture is undergoing a metamorphosis with a new crop of uber-cool establishments reshaping the cocktail landscape. Check out these eight incredible drinking dens, one sip at a time
Ekaa Bar
Bartender Jishnu AJ aims to platform indigenous Indian ingredients at Ekaa
Located in an upscale South Bombay neighbourhood, Ekaa is fast building a reputation for both its restaurant and bar – and its mixology team has been tinkering away to create a cocktail offering like no other. Lead by head bartender Jishnu AJ, the bar pays homage to the unique ingredients native to India, spotlighting individual, indigenous ingredients in every drink. Its bar programme, Dwadash, meaning ‘12’, exemplifies this philosophy with cocktails that feature 12 botanicals sourced from across the country’s diverse regions and borrow heavily from the ancient Indian medicinal practice of Ayurveda. The Himalayan Fir, which uses Indian gin, pine leaf infusion from Nepal, pinewood, elderflower and citrus is quickly becoming one of the bestselling drinks on the menu.
Kitab Mahal, 1st Floor, D Sukhadwala Rd, Azad Maidan, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400001
@ekaamumbai
ZLB23
This opulent Kyoto-style speakeasy is led by a female crew
It is no secret that Bangalore is home to some of the most eclectic offerings for nightlife and drinking in India, and ZLB23 in the Leela Palace Hotel is testament to this. While the city has always been a destination for live music, having birthed some of the country’s best known bands, ZLB23 is committed to marrying the city’s love for music with its love for cocktail craft. The bar itself is a beautifully opulent, Kyoto-style speakeasy dressed up in lavish upholstery and furnishings by renowned Indian couture designers. On the menu are Japanese-style cocktails such as the Shoyu Ramen alongside an impressive spirit selection and a daily dose of live jazz. Apart from great drinks and music, what stands out about ZLB23 is the team members, who are all dressed in custom-designed uniforms and, unusually, are mostly women.
The Leela Palace, HAL 2nd Stage, Kodihalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560008
@zlb23.in
Hideaway
Cocktails at Hideaway are inspired by its team's childhood memories
Set in the sunshine state of Goa, Hideaway has been a favourite watering hole for both locals and tourists since it opened in 2019. Nestled in the vibrant Anjuna neighbourhood, it’s a hot spot for cocktail and music lovers alike, with live band performances frequently on the menu. The bar has a distinctive, rambunctious kind of charm with a focus on creating a laid-back atmosphere for visitors to kick back and work their way through a menu of carefully crafted cocktails before partying the night away. Every drink has been inspired by the team’s childhood memories and global travels and is made with locally sourced ingredients. The Babylon is a particularly memorable low ABV drink that mixes gin, passion fruit, coconut water, coconut milk and snake flower tincture that’s been clarified to perfection.
Cross Anjuna, H.No. 622, Vagator, Goa, 403509
@hideaway.goa
Lair
Not A Berry (gin, rhubarb, bitters, local strawberries) is a highlight of Lair's drinks list
A contemporary and highly stylised speakeasy, Lair is New Delhi’s unsung hero. The team has taken inspiration from India’s storied heritage of indigenous spices and produce, reimagining them into a menu of ultra-cool, ultra-contemporary drinks served in sleek surrounds. Even the bar’s design incorporates elements of the natural world into a modern space, in a palette of black and grey. A standout drink on the current menu is the Not A Berry, which blends gin, rhubarb, bitters and a local strawberry variety cultivated in Mahabaleshwar. This particular strawberry has interesting roots, as it was developed by farmers from the original variety introduced by the British during their time in India. A highly recommended drinking spot if you enjoy your cocktails with a healthy side of history.
15, Market, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi, Delhi, 110057
@lair.newdelhi
The Bombay Canteen
The menu at The Bombay Canteen takes full advantage of India's diverse pantry
Housed within and inspired by a recreated old-Bombay bungalow, this restaurant and bar is an embodiment of the city’s love affair with Art Deco. True to its heritage, the bar is a proud reflection of the country’s diverse culinary landscape and traditions, with native ingredients taking centre stage. The bar programme is a beautiful extension of this tribute to the land, employing locally sourced ingredients to craft a collection of fun, intriguing and downright delicious drinks. Just one example of this ground-to-glass ethos is the Waiting List cocktail – a mood-boosting, highball-style drink with coconut fat-washed tequila, house-made curry leaf soda and a curry leaf salt rim, which helps cleanse the palate between sips.
Unit 1, Process House, SB Road, Kamala Mills, Mumbai, 400013
@thebombaycanteen
Spirit Forward
Expect friendly, fun and casual service at Bangalore's Spirit Forward
Bangalore’s Spirit Forward is a quintessential neighbourhood bar: always lively, always fun and with glasses that are always full. Think classic bar elegance with zero fuss and frills. A low, omakase-style bar counter with stools encourages friendly banter against a backdrop of bartenders whipping up eclectic drinks and bar snacks. The service style is a beautiful balancing act between attentive and casual and, to many, rapidly becomes the place where everyone knows your name. Steered by a group of young and talented bar folk under the leadership of veteran Arijit Bose, Spirit Forward offers something different for Bangalore’s beer-drinking, microbrewery-loving city of techies. The undisputed favourite among regulars is the Southern Star – a delicate dance of tequila blanco, bloom-fermented guava, red plum, jalapeño and malic acid.
Ground Floor, Hotel Southern Star, 40/2, Lavelle Road, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001
@barspiritforward.blr
PCO Bombay
The Mumbai branch of PCO keeps the cocktails and bar snacks coming all day
Pass Code Only’s Mumbai outpost is a sanctuary from the city’s bustling downtown district, providing a welcome escape from the world outside. Ensconced in an old textile mill, PCO is a casual all-day space serving tapas-style bites and a cocktail menu inspired by the textiles of India. The exquisitely crafted, tactile cocktail menu is equal parts playful and progressive and always features flavours from across the country. The Kantha – a drink named after a textile from the eastern coast of India, made using aromatic white rum infused with kaffir, pineapple, coconut, liquorice and citrus foam – is just one of the unmissable libations on offer.
NRK House, next to Kamala Mills gate, 1, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013
@pcobombay
Soka
Bangalore's burgeoning cocktail scene added Soka to its offering in December 2023
Soka is the latest jewel in Bangalore city’s growing repertoire of great cocktail bars. A true embodiment of the bartenders’ bar, chef Sombir Choudhary (So) and bartender Avinash Kapoli (Ka) have united to create a neighbourhood drinking den that is redefining the city's nightlife. Cocktails such as The Black Cadillac — named in homage to a renowned 90s club in the city — find their inspiration in Bangalore's golden era of pop culture. They feature unique ingredients sourced from the state of Karnataka, offering a refreshing twist by using flavours not commonly associated with traditional food and drink. For example, The Jasmine uses gin, vermouth and a cordial made of fresh jasmine flowers, which are usually reserved for rituals. Enhanced by an accompaniment of small plates that put a modern spin on traditional Indian flavours, the culinary experience is an exciting blend of diverse tastes and textures. Siddharth Kerkar, the creative mind behind Soka’s art, drew inspiration from the concept of evolution, envisioning a transformative journey symbolised by a 40 ft overhead cocoon lamp which is, to put it mildly, breathtaking.
No.210, A cross, 1st Main Rd, 2nd stage Indiranagar, Stage 2, Domlur, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560071
@soka_blr
Follow 50 Best on Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube for the latest news, features, videos and stories from the best chefs and bartenders across the world, and use 50 Best Discovery for all of your dining, drinking and destination planning. Keep checking the website for exclusive articles, video content and features from our world-wide contributors and insiders to help inspire your next Discovery.
