Must-see nightlife in South India

  • Woodside Inn

    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…

  • Cafe Mondegar

    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…

  • Nico Bar

    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…

  • Cha Bar

    Mumbai (Bombay)

    Cha Bar serves a large selection of exotic teas (₹34 to ₹80), including organic, ayurvedic, single-estate and Japanese matcha along with tasty snacks,…

  • Plan B

    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…

  • Café Universal

    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…

  • Dyu Art Cafe

    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…

  • Shiro

    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…

  • Hard Rock Cafe

    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…

  • Amrut

    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…

  • Arbor Brewing Company

    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,…

  • Waters Beach Lounge

    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…

  • Havana Café & Bar

    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…

  • Vapour

    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…

  • Infinit Doora

    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…

  • Jai Ganesh Fruit Juice Centre

    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,…

  • Vertigo

    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…

  • Bartin's Restobar

    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…

  • Riverfront & Down the Road

    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…

  • Pub

    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…

  • Monkey Bar

    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 …

  • Infinitea

    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,…

  • Café Mambo

    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…

  • 13th Floor

    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,…

  • Cafe Lilliput

    Anjuna

    Hovering over the beach near the flea-market site, Lilliput has built itself a reputation as one of the go-to nightspots, but it also has a good all-day…

  • Toit Brewpub

    Bengaluru (Bangalore)

    A brick-walled gastropub split over three levels where you can sample quality beers brewed on site, including two seasonals and a wheat beer on tap. Try a…

  • Paulo’s Antique Bar

    North Goa

    In season this hole-in-the-wall bar on Chapora’s main street overflows with good music and cold beer. In the late afternoon the few tables on the verandah…

  • Bottle & Glass

    Bengaluru (Bangalore)

    Friendly familiarity rather than creative genius is the ethos behind the cocktails and food at Bottle & Glass. But old-favourite dishes and some semi-open…

  • Tribe

    Visakhapatnam

    One of Vizag's busiest and most fashionable clubs, with DJs playing house, R'n'B and Bollywood to a lively crowd; there are also live bands. It opens some…

  • Neptunes

    Palolem

    On a rocky headland just south of Palolem Beach, this was Palolem's only remaining silent disco at the time of writing. Don your headphones and tune into…

  • Tata Cha

    Bengaluru (Bangalore)

    This small, hip little teahouse offers classic and new flavours of tea, along with tasty food items including samosas. Branches include a location in…

  • Joseph Bar

    Panaji

    This hole-in-the-wall bar is a place where locals and tourists gather streetside to chat and drink at tiny tables or perched on scooters. It's a warm and…

  • 1000 Oaks

    Pune

    An old favourite with a cosy pub-style bar with stained glass and a charming terrace for those who prefer it quieter. Pitchers of Long Island iced tea and…

  • Aroma Coffee House

    Telangana & Andhra Pradesh

    Hits the spot when you need that espresso or latte. In modern, AC surrounds. They also sell sandwiches and snacks, and offer an unlimited all-you-can-eat…

  • Thirsty Crow

    Kodagu (Coorg) Region

    Popular juice bar south of the monastery offering a fine selection of fresh juices, including fruit and veggie choices, milkshakes, lime sodas, tea and…

  • Monkey Bar

    Bengaluru (Bangalore)

    The Indiranagar Monkey branch has a pub-like vibe and is set over two levels. Try one of the sangrias or a cocktail. There's another location in…

  • Taverna Panjim

    Panaji

    It's as much about the Goan food as the drinking at this bright two-level pub in the Campal district but we like the fun atmosphere, live music and…

  • Ghetto

    Mumbai (Bombay)

    A grungy, graffiti-covered hang-out blaring classic and contemporary rock (the Rolling Stones, Red Hot Chili Peppers) to a dedicated set of unfussy…

  • Liquid Lounge

    Mangaluru (Mangalore)

    Much more pub than lounge, this long-running place is your best bet for a beer and a chat. Expect loud rock music on the stereo. Popular with young locals…

  • Shiva Valley

    Anjuna

    At the very southern end of Anjuna Beach, past Curlies, Shiva Valley has grown from small beach shack to fully fledged trance club, with Tuesday the main…

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