Mumbai (Bombay)
This bar champions underground and alternative music. DJs spin drum and bass and electronica, big beats and funky tech-house, and musicians play folk and…
Must-see nightlife in India
Calangute & Baga
Had enough of the Kingfisher? Keventers, the famous Delhi milkshake maker, has set up in Goa and on Tito's Lane no less. The hole-in-wall joint serves up…
Gangtok
Find the easily missed Tashi Delek doorway, then walk past colourfully ornate Tibetan patterning to this wide, open terrace with decorative foliage and…
Kodaikanal (Kodai)
A caffeine addict's dream, this rustic-chic wood-panelled shoebox of a cafe crafts fantastic brews from its own locally grown organic coffee. It also does…
Gangtok
Central Gangtok's most alternative little bar has seats like midget sofas with stuffing coming out, a little performance space and murals of Marley,…
Mussoorie
With huge windows overlooking Gandhi Chowk, Imperial Square is easily Mussoorie's most scenic spot for a drink. The beer is pricey (₹340) but it's ice…
Mumbai (Bombay)
Bangalore's iconic craft brewers opened their first Mumbai space for beer lovers in 2017, taking over the spacious former real estate of Bombay's long…
Mumbai (Bombay)
Coffee's Third Wave has finally arrived in India. This speciality coffeehouse, one of four Mumbai locations, roasts its 100% Indian, traceable single…
Mumbai (Bombay)
Part of a hip Mumbai chain, this part restaurant/bar, part collaborative work space, oozes second-hand coolness, with a warehouse-like feel and recycled…
Mumbai (Bombay)
At one of four Mumbai locations of the Blue Tokai franchise, the espresso (from ₹100) goes down sweetly with almond croissants, bagels, custard cruffins,…
Pune
This institution for faloodas (rose-flavoured drinks), sharbats (a chilled drink) and fresh juices may have been born in Bombay, but it's been at it in…
Mumbai (Bombay)
A perennial watering hole of choice for Bandra’s filmi elite and aspiring starlets, Olive is a Mediterranean-style bar-restaurant whose whitewashed walls,…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
Classic and new flavours of tea, along with tasty food combos like butter chicken and khichdi (pureed lentils), make Tata Cha a big hit with Bengaluru tea…
Jaipur
Fat Lulu's is nice change from the typical dim and smoky bars of Jaipur and it has the advantage of doubling as a multicuisine restaurant. There's…
Karnataka
At an altitude of at 920m, this fine winery produces quality white and red varietals. Tours include tastings of five wines in the cellar rooms accompanied…
New Delhi
Up on the 2nd floor of Mohan Singh Place, Indian Coffee House has faded-to-the-point-of-dilapidated charm, with the waiters' plummage-like hats and…
New Delhi
This buzzing, split-level cafe specialises in healthy chai infusions (masala, ginger, cardamom, lemongrass; ₹75 to ₹100) but also serves good lassis (₹119…
Hyderabad
Buzzing most nights, Vapour is one of the most happening pubs in Hyderabad; book a table ahead on weekends. Brews include apple cider beer, lager, stout…
South Delhi
Close to Hauz Khas, this roomy, rustic 1st-floor bar has a spacious terrace and is a popular, lively evening haunt for a mixed crowd of men and women…
Chandigarh
A chai stall like you've never seen, this modern-day chai-wallah claims to be serving India's only tandoori chai, brewed in a tandoori oven and served…
Mumbai (Bombay)
Boasting astounding sea, sunset and city views, Aer is Mumbai’s premier sky bar. Drink prices are steep (cocktails ₹950 to ₹1300), but that’s kind of the…
Hyderabad
A sleek, upmarket nightclub, with loungey booth seating and a pumping bass-driven sound system. Men won't get past the ranks of bouncers without female…
Chandigarh
The most comfortable cafe in Chandigarh, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is attached to the excellent Hotel Aquamarine, and has an air-con-cooled interior, as well…
Hyderabad
Tucked away on a quiet side street, this green oasis has a superb garden where you can nurse a latte or enjoy a juice or milkshake. The menu (dishes ₹200…
Nagaland
An artsy gathering place with sofas in one corner, D/Café brews freshly roasted organic coffee (including French press, mocha and Turkish) and tasty…
New Delhi
Connaught Place’s Oxford Bookstore contains the hugely popular cafe Cha Bar, with more than 150 types of tea to choose from, as well as a good-value food…
Mumbai (Bombay)
Part of a hip Mumbai chain, this part restaurant/bar, part collaborative work space is entered through a recycled shipping container in the happening…
Agra
For a beer or cocktail in sheer opulence, look no further than the bar at Agra’s best hotel. Nonguests can wander onto the terrace with its Taj views, but…
Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)
This is the most comfortable and most popular of the many cafes in the Tibetan enclave and does good strong coffee plus a range of set breakfasts (until…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
Prost has eclectic industrial decor, a rooftop with several quality craft beers on tap and a tempting food menu. There's live magic on Wednesday, comedy…
Kolkata (Calcutta)
This luxurious yet laid-back open-air lounge allows you to nurse your booze while soothing your eyes on the dreamy waters of the neon-lit central pool…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
Upmarket club and live-music venue that draws a hip, lively crowd with its fine roster of house, techno and trance DJs, and bands (everything from jazz to…
Kodagu (Coorg) Region
A welcoming sight on a cool Coorg morning, this cafe offers a terrific range of steaming gourmet teas (try the Darjeeling Orange Summer tips) and great…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
This fine cafe and bakery offers good sandwiches on nutritious bread, cookies and snacks (₹40 to ₹80), and doubles as a bookshop and art venue, hosting…
Punjab (India)
A haven of cool air and cleanliness, this bright, friendly cafe, 200m east of the bus stand, opposite Hotel Royal, does espresso coffee, cakes and…
New Delhi
Keventer’s has a cult following for its legendary creamy milkshakes (₹80), slurped out of milk bottles on the pavement in front of the stand.
Bikaner
With cool tunes and magical atmosphere inside the compound of Bhairon Vilas, Ganesha has good coffee, organic tea, cold drinks and cakes.
Mumbai (Bombay)
It's nearly impossible to saunter past this tiny brick-and-mortar chai joint – its colourful facade and vibrant interiors lure you in like an industrial…
Mumbai (Bombay)
Mumbai's veteran craft beer's eponymous taproom opened in 2017 with 16 taps, many of which feature brews and meads you won't find in other bars and…
Kochi (Cochin)
Upstairs at chic heritage property Malabar House, this sleek wine bar showcases Indian wines such as Sula and Fratelli from Maharashtra and Grover Zampa…
