Bengaluru (Bangalore)
Intimate pub popular with students for its beer towers and cocktails. It's famous for chicken wings (six for ₹230), which are half-price on Tuesday, but…
Must-see nightlife in India
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…
Mumbai (Bombay)
The classiest of Mumbai's classics. The Universal has an art nouveau look to it, with butterscotch-coloured walls, a wood-beam ceiling and marble…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
Popular cafe-gallery in a leafy neighbourhood with a peaceful courtyard reminiscent of a Zen temple. It has coffee beans from Kerala and does good French…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
Shiro is a hip lounge bar with elegant interiors complemented by monumental Buddha busts and apsara (celestial nymph) figurines. There's also outdoor deck…
Hyderabad
Inside expect stars' guitars, and on the menu there's pub grub (try the BBQ pulled pork). Vibe-wise weekends are very lively indeed (beer/cocktails from…
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Back-street Paris? Chicago in the 1930s? Prague circa 1980s? This cavernous, unpretentious old-men’s pub defies easy parallels, but has a compulsive left…
Leh
Hidden in the shadows of Leh Palace, the historic Lonpo House has a 17th-century kitchen that makes a quiet getaway to read and unwind. Currently only…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
India’s first producer of single-malt whisky offers free distillery tours run by knowledgeable guides. You'll be taken through the entire process before…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
This classic brewpub was one of the first microbreweries to get the craft-beer barrel rolling in Bengaluru. Choose from stout, porter, IPA, Belgian beers,…
Jaipur
With coloured glass, dark wood and studded leather, this English pub wannabe has a small selection of international and local beer. You'll also find…
Shillong
Hotel Centre Point's panoramic top-floor lounge has a good party scene going on Fridays and Saturdays when there are often DJ sessions from around 8.30pm …
Uttarakhand
One of the few places in town for a drink is at the bar of this government-run hotel that was formerly the British governor's house. It's bit of a hike up…
Darjeeling
This renowned teahouse has excellent baked goods (cakes, quiches and pies ₹40 to ₹80) as well as tea, and fine views from its outdoor balcony and the…
North Goa
Terracing down the hillside on the Vagator cliffs, this restaurant, bar and club is known for its loud party nights, with open-air dance floors…
Chandigarh
Considering it's housed inside the plush Taj hotel, this small bar is relatively laid-back, with a cosy atmosphere. Live bands or a DJ play most nights…
Mumbai (Bombay)
Among wicker furniture and Cuban fedora lampshades, this new Fidel-themed hot spot inside the Gordon House Hotel does good mojitos (₹300 to ₹350) and…
Manali
Off the main Manu Temple Rd, climb the stairway marked Rock Top Guesthouse to discover this oasis. It's a cafe amid apple trees, featuring a range of…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
Multilevel complex divided into several bars and restaurants, though the highlight is the rooftop with big screen, where you can sample its six microbrews…
Mysuru (Mysore)
The nearest thing to a lounge in Mysuru, this rooftop bar has a classy ambience, a comprehensive drinks selection, smoking and nonsmoking zones and fine…
Udaipur
This bright-red spot is tiny but very welcoming, and a great place to refuel during the day with a shot of Vitamin C from a wide range of delicious juice…
Kolkata (Calcutta)
For sampling authentic Darjeeling teas as well as refreshing mocktails featuring the brew, visit this popular teahouse run by a veteran tea taster. Try…
Amritsar
An air-conditioned oasis with fresh coffee and free wi-fi, this chain cafe is conveniently located within shouting distance of the Golden Temple area…
North Goa
Thanks to its corner location, with views up and down Chapora’s main street, this may be the most popular juice bar in Goa. It’s a prime meeting spot and,…
Hyderabad
A rooftop bar that boasts a great terrace, with elegant seating and interior rooms for live music and DJs. The eating 'zone' serves North Indian, Chinese…
Kolkata (Calcutta)
While little can be said about the outlandish decor (and name) of this pub, it's actually a surprisingly good place to enjoy a drink on the cheap. The…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
Nothing beats the combination of spicy Andhra chilli chicken, cold beer and Bengaluru’s evening breezes at this rooftop bar in the buzzy Indiranagar…
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Cosy, cheerfully lit and adorned with pretty wallpapers, this popular cafe serves cheap and tasty cupcakes (from ₹50) in a wide range of flavours, best…
North Goa
Don’t be put off by the dingy entrance or stairwell: once you’re upstairs, this breezy place opposite the market is great for watching the milling crowds…
Panaji
The balcony of this restaurant-bar overlooking the creek and Old Patto Bridge makes for a cosy beer or cocktail spot with carved barrels for furniture…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
Gastropub that draws a mixed, jovial crowd, who knock back drinks around the bar or at wooden booth seating. Otherwise, head to the basement to join the …
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
This smart yet cosy place has an impressive menu, including orthodox teas from the best estates, and a few fancy selections. The food (paninis, soups,…
Calangute & Baga
Part of the Tito’s empire, Mambo is one of Baga’s busiest clubs with an indoor/outdoor beachfront location and nightly DJs pumping out house, hip hop and…
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Looking noticeably dapper after a recent renovation, this upscale bar within a luxury hotel boasts a small dance floor, chilled drinks, heart-thumping…
New Delhi
This long-time favourite Connaught Place lounge bar has DJ-mixed tunes (and occasional live bands), reasonably priced drinks (Kingfisher ₹180, cocktails…
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Fancy to the hilt, this open-air terrace bar attracts stylish people and serves a good selection of mojitos and cocktails through the evening. There are…
Chandigarh
Local beers go for as little as ₹89 here, but this is no dive; it also does cocktails and mocktails, is dotted with TVs for football fans and has a small…
Jaipur
This neon-imbued bar has classy looks and well-priced drinks, but can appear a bit empty on a slow night. DJs play Bollywood and Western music, and…
Delhi
Up on the top floor of DLF Cyber Hub, this popular bar brews four different beers in-house (₹325 for a half-litre glass), stocks numerous single-malt…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
Forget your superstitions and head up to 13th Floor’s terrace, with all of Bengaluru glittering at your feet. There's an excellent selection of martini,…
