The much-awaited 30 Best Bars India top 100 shortlist is out. In its fourth edition, the 30BestBarsIndia, co-founded by Vikram Achanta, founder-CEO, Tulleeho, and Radhakrishnan Nair, editor, MW magazine, is the country’s premier bar and bartender ranking.
Delhi has always been a favourite with Bacchus. Around 48 lakh alcohol bottles worth over Rs 100 crore were sold in Delhi on the weekend before Diwali. According to Achanta, the city is witnessing experimentation in newer forms — zero ABV and no ABV concoctions are steadily growing, alongside cutting-edge techniques like Rotavap and centrifuge. Other trends include molecular mixology and sustainability, and a push in hyper-local ingredients and Indian-inspired drinks. Meanwhile, synthetic drinks with premade cordials are on their way out. Popular inclinations are Tequila-based cocktail menus, and fresh, low-sugar, and low ABV drinks. Additionally, customisation remains as popular as ever in Delhi, with a bias for bespoke and unique experiences.
Here are the 15 Delhi bars that made it to the top 100 shortlist of 30 Best Bars India:
HOME (Vasant Kunj)
Delhi’s quintessential home away from home, HOME features an acclaimed kitchen, an international award-wining cocktail bar, a cozy wine-tasting lounge with an adjacent private dining room, and an alfresco rooftop lounge.
Signature drink: One Night in Jalisco. Made with tequila, sweet lime & chilli cordial, raw mango, jalapeno, rocket leaf, citrus
Must-eat: Mushroom Textures: Made with Inoki, shimeji, cremini, shitake, oyster mushroom, soy and parmesan.
Hoots (Vasant Vihar)
Hoots is an intimate cocktail bar, with a cozy living room, featuring a variety of cocktails with interesting ingredients and techniques.
Signature drink: No. 5 and Albert's Negroni
Klap (Khan Market)
Inspired by the travels of the head chef and co-founder, Klap is an elevated cocktail bar that is an ode to wanderlust.
Signature drink: Gulkand Cocktail: A clarified cocktail made with wild turkey, rose petal jam and spices.
Must-eat: Wasabi Hummus Khakra that pairs well with the Gulkand cocktail.
Lair (Vasant Vihar)
A modern speakeasy, with a minimalist, monochrome scheme and experimental cocktail program and pan-Asian restaurant.
Signature drink: The Picante
Must-eat: Prawn Har Gao dimsum
Loya (Taj Palace, Chanakyapuri)
Loya is a confluence of flavour, passion and influence on a plate.
Signature drink: Masala Whisky
Must-eat: Gosht Ki Lazeez Pasliyan (Charcoal-smoked special cut of mutton).
PDA (Greater Kailash 2)
A pun on Public Display of Affection, PDA is an Italian neighbourhood bar that brings together two of Delhi's most talked about brands-cocktail bar PCO & Italian restaurant DIVA. It is a space that has programs, performances, & talks to engage its like-minded, well-traveled clientele. In true Italian fashion, PDA does all-day aperitivo, serving a nibble with every cocktail ordered.
Signature drink: First Kiss. A twist on a gin and tonic, this drink is made with Gin, botanical syrup, lemon juice, lime juice, Perrier.
Must-eat: Prawn in the Blanket
Rick’s (The Taj Mahal Hotel)
A haven for cocktail aficionados, Rick’s offers a harmonious blend of cherished classics and modern creations. With distinctive techniques such as milk washing, clarification and sous vide, the bar has a curated food menu showcasing a fusion of global influences and locally sourced ingredients. The focus on quality and creativity also extends to its crockery and glassware, featuring exclusive pieces from Nick & Nora, Nude, as well as Schott Wiesel 1872.
Signature drinks: Umami Ugarte, a clarified cocktail made with fresh tomatoes, miso, strawberry, and tequila, served with homemade dark chocolate. And, Ilsa’s Last Song, made with lychee vodka, vetiver, lemon juice and albumin.
Must-eat: Goan Balchao, Currywurst, and Enoki Truffle Roll
Sidecar (Greater Kailash 2)
Sidecar is an artisanal cocktail bar, affectionately known as a bartenders’ bar. With bitters, syrups, grogs, and tinctures all made in-house, its craft cocktail program features exciting ingredients, innovative concoctions, and signature cocktails. The bar reduces its carbon footprint by using seasonal and local ingredients, steel straws in drinks, and reusing all bottles for the in-house purees and tinctures the team makes.
Signature drink: Its brand-new signature cocktail menu called Arq has 10 signatures with the top pick being Myrtle, their take on the classic Sidecar.
Must-eat: Secret spice bar peanuts and the Bartender's Fried Rice.
The Blue Bar (The Taj Palace, Chanakyapuri)
The Blue Bar is a luxurious and edgy lounge and bar, set along the perimeter of the hotel that offers some of the city’s most interesting cocktails, alongside quick bites.
Signature drink: Bartender’s Christmas
The Library Bar (The Leela Palace, Chanakyapuri)
The Library Bar is an upscale classic bar serving award-winning wines, top-shelf spirits, and the finest of accompaniments.
Signature drink: Pablo Picasso. Named after the legendary artist and sculptor Pablo Picasso and inspired by the classic cocktails, Margarita and Paloma, it is a delightful fusion of the two. Paloma was Pablo Picasso daughter and the drink contains tequila, in-house spiced brine, fresh lime juice and fresh grapefruit juice.
Cirrus 9: Rooftop Bar (The Oberoi)
Known for handcrafted cocktails and an eclectic international food menu mixed with some specially curated music, best enjoyed in the open air. Guests below the age of 25 years are permitted till 8.00 pm. Refrain from wearing bedroom slippers or flip flops. Additionally, full-length trousers and closed shoes are required for gentlemen.
Signature drinks: The Son of Dr Fong, a blend of rum, grapefruit, cinnamon honey, grenadine, lime and anise. And, Missionary’s Downfall, a lost classic that is a combination of rum, cinnamon honey, lime and pineapple blended with fresh mint.
PCO: Pass Code Only (Vasant Vihar)
Inspired by the tradition of making a perfect cocktail, PCO is a one of a kind cocktail bar that has classic cocktails to completely bespoke Mood Cocktail™. You’ll need a passcode to enter, the passcode changes two/three times a week.
Signature drink: Bespoke Mood Cocktail
SAZ American Brasserie (Sunder Nagar Market)
Named after a New Orleans’ classic cocktail, which is often referred to as ‘a fun cousin of the Old Fashioned’, this is a bright bistro with a rustic-chic interior doling out classic American eats like burgers & tacos and cocktails.
Signature drinks: House Sazerac, a Whisky blend, Demarara, Peychaud's, House Anise Tincture, citric. And, British Saz, a concoction of dry gin, rhubarb, Peychaud’s, Laphroaig, Pernod, flower.
Toy Room (Aloft Hotel, Aerocity)
Toy Room is quite ‘Frankly’ an exclusive haunt for the Arts and Fashion, hosting Hip hop and R&B DJ nights (this is how Toy Room describes itself).
Signature drinks: Purple Haze, Frank’s Punch and The Painter’s Brush
Perch Wine and Coffee Bar (Khan Market)
Casual lounge with a bleached-wood interior, serving wine & coffee along with global light bites
Signature drink: Coffee sangria; and coffee shrub and tonic.
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