Getting Drunk with Locals: 10 Best Local Bars in New Delhi
Photo by: Soumik Kar
You ain’t seen nothin’ like New Delhi’s party scene. While you could be in for the night of your life, nightlife trends in India’s capital fly by faster than the auto-rickshaw driver who speeds away with your change. Nonetheless, some places have managed to stick their heels deep in the Indian soil and hold strong. OTP has pinned down the Top 10 ( most reliable) Local Bars.
Having the distinction of being one of the best-stocked bars in the city means weekends at Smokehouse are standing room only, though the regulars don’t seem to mind. Week after week, yuppies gussy up and pour into this hip bar, blasting retro and commercial favorites into the smokin’ wee hours of the night.
In your face and unafraid, the décor at this snazzy model-owned bar lives up to its wild name. Animal print upholstery and camouflage painted bathroom stalls are inspiration enough to unleash the beast at the Zoo. Drop by for the sunset party on Sundays (5–10pm) to attract some unsuspecting prey. What it lacks in prowling space it makes up for with cutting edge electronic music and an outdoor faux forest. Well, HELLO kitty!
Photo by: Standbymind
After a long day of sightseeing, sink into a chair and order a song at @live. Keep the bartender, waiter and band simultaneously busy by ordering from each of their three menus—food, drink and song. The house band will do a damn good rendition of whatever song you order, so pick something you like to listen to loud. Welcome to New Delhi Unplugged.
Trendy minimalism is the flavor of this bijou resto-bar. No sag paneer here; Baci is all abut the Italian wine and dine experience. While locals do frequent this joint for variety, if you want to see what Italy in India tastes like, it will cost you. Reserve this spot for a day when you’ve got some cash to spare, a date to impress or a spleen to sell on the black market.
The South Delhi see-and-be-seen set has been partial to the rooftop bar adjoining chic Japanese restaurant Ai for a few years now, and there are no signs of it falling out of favor anytime soon. Prep your best pick up lines and schoomze the sea of Love Hotel hotties. A great place to catch contemporary international electronica acts such as fusion ensemble Midival Punditz and audio-visual outfit Basic Love of Things (B.L.O.T.). Skip the formal dining experience and drain your drink not your wallet.
Shalom—Hebrew for peace—takes its name seriously. The stark white walls, rustic wooden furniture, ethereal candlelight and ambient music can balance out even the most clusterfu*cked of days. But as the day turns to night and the crowd pours in, the DJ cranks up the tracks and this previously demure restaurant morphs into a boisterous bar. Must drink: ginger bellinis. Must eat: Mediterranean platters. Must sight: celebrities galore. L’Chaim!
A spiffy new taproom in the upscale Defence Colony was bought and remodeled by three friends living the dream. The Monkey is a tight space that treads the line between cozy (on weekdays) and claustrophobic (on weekends) but any day of the week, it’s all the rage with the expat crowd. The menu is charming and the cocktails are quirky. The vodka nimbupani (lemonade) is truly one of a kind and we dare you to find a better Bloody Mary (with a twist) in India
Save a trip to this Irish bar for a Wednesday when you’re feeling particularly homesick—possibly due to the notorious Delhi Belly. The New Delhi location of this U.S.-based chain, sings in the same obnoxious volume you’ve grown to love at home on karaoke Wednesdays! Show off your version of rockstar without the embarrassment of being booed. Everyone is drunk so judgment is limited and that makes for the best kind of “empty orchestra” (the literal translation of the Japanese word, karaoke)
Photo by: sanjayausta
When it comes to bar philosophies, TLR urges us to “make room to live.” Located in the hip urban village of Hauz Khas, they live it up by being one of the best live music venues in the city. Fresh local and international talent is lined up every day. Bust out your own tunes with Freejams on Wednesdays or, if your mind is sharper than your voice, hit up pub quiz Sundays. Whichever way you choose to live, take comfort in the chill atmosphere created by cushy beanbags and huge Jackson Pollock prints and make yourself at home at the Living Room.
The Turquoise Cottage is insanely popular and inexplicably so. By no means a comfortable country cottage, smoke will clog every orifice of your body, rock music will tear your ears apart, you won’t have enough elbow room to negotiate your beer into your mouth in one uninterrupted motion and you will love it; even come back for more. With happy hours until 10 pm, the space might be Lilliputian, but the alcohol intake here never is. On “media nights” (Wednesdays) they run a 50% discount all night for whipping out your media professionals card at the bar and they lure you out of your Sunday laze with a free welcome drink.
Bar hopping in New Delhi begins pretty late at night. You won’t find bars filling up until 10pm so don’t be surprised to be the lone customer if you start boozing at 7pm. Since New Delhi bars are infamous for being alive and kicking one season and mystifyingly dead the next, use our list liberally but also talk to a locals to keep up with bar trends
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good stuff….gonna try this out next trip to india!
hey…nice n informative…great places!
hey….nice tips!
God article. Thanks Taveeshi!
nicee post…!