North Goa
Hilltop is a long-serving Vagator trance and party venue that’s deserted by day but comes alive from sunset. Its edge-of-town, neon-lit coconut grove…
Must-see nightlife in India
North Goa
Once the hallowed epicentre of Goa’s trance scene, the open-air Nine Bar terrace, on the clifftop overlooking Little Vagator Beach, is fading but stills…
Jaipur
Attached to, but separate from, Hotel Shikha, this is the closest thing there is to a beer garden in Jaipur, with plenty of outdoor seating as well as an…
Pune
One of Mumbai's most beloved pubs staked out a prime Koregaon Park location for its 2018 Pune opening. It's a much bigger, more diverse space than the…
Jaipur
Glamorous F Bar is modelled on (excuse the pun) Fashion TV – a mix of fashion, music and art. There are DJs nightly and occasionally there's a weekend…
Hyderabad
The rooftop setting, with rustic bamboo couches and thatch roofs, makes Coco's perfect for a cold drink on a balmy evening (beer/mocktails from ₹175/170)…
Panaji
Take the side entrance (behind the music shop) and climb the stairs to the top floor for this sophisticated little bar and music venue where, let's face…
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Kolkata’s best-established nightclub has contemporary sounds throbbing through the single small dance floor and a somewhat cramped chill-out zone,…
Mumbai (Bombay)
With unmatched views of the Gateway of India and harbour, this timeless bar inside the Taj Mahal Palace is an essential visit. Drinks aren’t uberexpensive…
Jheel’s Ginger Coffee Bar & Bakery
Udaipur
This small but slick cafe by the water’s edge is on the ground floor of Jheel Palace Guest House. Large windows and a waterside sit-out afford good lake…
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Pumping music energises this highly rated lounge-bar which serves a colour-changing mojito and an elderflower margarita among its long list of cool…
Jaipur
The India-wide franchise that successfully delivers espresso, plus the occasional creamy concoction and muffin, has several branches in Jaipur. In…
Jaipur
This popular spot is spread over three levels, including the rooftop, which boasts great views of the city. There's ample seating, good food, a DJ and a…
Gangtok
Moodily lit with pacey music, and walls chock-a-block with black-and-white portrait photos, The Square pulls off a clever balance between family-friendly…
Mumbai (Bombay)
The Indian owners have done a bang-up job recreating an authentic Irish pub atmosphere. This cosy place has a considerable domestic and international beer…
Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)
If you can nab one of the two tables by the big window overlooking Main Bazaar this is a fine place to chill with a couple of beers (from ₹115). Sam’s Bar…
Hyderabad
With its classic decor of wood panelling and leather sofas, this place is just the ticket for a relaxed drinking session (check out the terrific daytime…
Kolkata (Calcutta)
This stylish yet unthreateningly casual bar is most appealing on Thursday evenings when young local musicians perform jazz, blues and progressive sets …
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
Located above 1st Cross Rd, and adding to the clutch of bars that are tilting the balance of nightlife towards Koramangala, this is a great place to relax…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
For an intimate alternative to the city's megasize brew-temples, try this small neighbourhood pub a 10-minute walk from Mahatma Gandhi Rd. You'll find a…
Mussoorie
A good spot for a cold beer is this upstairs bistro in business since 1972. Prices are probably closer to what you're used to paying back home (large beer…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
Sometimes value for money trumps swanky ambience. Barebones lies in the belly of the nightlife area of Bengaluru and the cafe-like interior is a great…
South Goa
Part sports bar, part music venue, part cocktail bar, Leda is Colva’s best nightspot, though it operates as much as a restaurant, and even the bar closes…
Uttarakhand
A surprisingly good find in the centre of town is this dark, but contemporary bar with blonde-wood furniture, cold beers and cocktails. Food is also good…
Anjuna
Holding sway at South Anjuna Beach, Curlies mixes laid-back beach-bar vibe with sophisticated nightspot – the party nights here are notorious, legendary…
Mysuru (Mysore)
A venerable, still-popular watering hole located at the fringes of upmarket Gokulam. Serves draught beer (pitchers are ₹450) and food (try the chilli pork…
Kolkata (Calcutta)
The in-house lounge bar at the Park Hotel, Roxy belts out boozy bellinis, caipirinhas and daiquiris as fast as its stylish patrons can down them. There's…
New Delhi
If you feel the need for some five-star style after visiting Jantar Mantar or shopping in Connaught Place, Aqua is an ideal place to flop, forget the…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
With sweeping city views from its fine roof terrace, a mezzanine zone and a funky restaurant with vintage decor, Brewsky is a fine night out. It brews six…
Maharashtra
A youngish and hip crowd flocks to this Pune transplant for cocktails (₹190 to ₹310) and pitchers of Bira draught beer (₹630), as well as an expanded cafe…
Delhi
Popular, film-poster-lined cafe at Khan Market, packed with chattering Delhiites. The menu is a telephone directory of Continental and Indian dishes (₹290…
New Delhi
A cavernous space done up in wood, leather and metal trim, with cosy corners and a huge sports TV screen. Serves trademark oversized drinks, including…
Darjeeling
Branch of the Nepal cafe chain, serving up good organic coffee and desserts, plus breakfast pancakes, waffles and sandwiches (snacks and light dishes ₹90…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
A suave rooftop beer garden with potted plants, artificial grass and tables with built-in BBQ grills. Offers free tastings of its six beers, as well as…
Mumbai (Bombay)
As close as you’ll get to a London pub in Mumbai, this cosy place has a gregarious vibe and serves Gateway and Independence craft beers on draught (pints…
Mumbai (Bombay)
Iranian-founded 'Mondy's' has been drawing a heady mix of foreigners and locals since 1871. It's first and foremost a rowdy bar serving ice-cold mugs of…
Darjeeling
Backpacker-friendly Gatty's is the only place in town that has a pulse after 9pm, with live music at weekends. The food (dishes ₹80 to ₹280) includes…
Jaipur
This spiffing watering hole adorned with polo memorabilia boasts arched, scalloped windows framing the neatly clipped lawns. A bottle of beer costs from…
Port Blair
The closest you’ll get to the Nicobars, the Fortune's bar is a classic for sea breezes and palm-spangled coastal views (the image on the old ₹20 note is…
South Delhi
Quirky Kunzum has a pay-what-you-like policy for the French-press coffee and tea, and sells its own brand of travel guides to Delhi. There’s free wi-fi, a…
