Let’s be honest. Bengaluru has spoiled us for choice when it comes to craft beer. Now, its bars have upped their game. While there are several neighbourhood bars (and breweries) that can become your regular hangout, here’s a look at 8 locations that promise a cool drinking experience.
Muro India - Museum Road
The entryway belies the vastness of this bar-centric space. Muro has a large circular bar where you can watch all the action live, not just on the ground floor, but on the floor above as well. The drink programme aims to be a sensory experience – with the likes of a Reverse Breakfast, where you drink what you're supposed to eat and eat what you're supposed to drink.
Replicating an almond croissant is a similarly flavoured scotch, with almonds, orange tincture and 70% cacao tincture. This is paired with a mini espresso doughnut. If spice is your thing, then Heat of the Moment brings in the notorious Naga Chilli. In your glass will be tequila, cilantro, Naga chilli, lacto fermented guavas, oleo citrate, and to top it off, slow-burning steel wool for a smoky, savoury feel. There is also The Good Apple, a bioluminescent drink (yes, you read that right), which is colourless but glows under black light. There’s a lot more, paired with some great Thai and Cantonese food.
Trivia: If you want something truly off-the-menu, head up the spiral staircase and take a seat at the bar. Ask to play a 'Game of Cards'. Six intriguing coasters are laid out before you, each representing a unique cocktail. Identify what’s on the card and that is the hero ingredient of the cocktail you order.
Daysie: All Day Casual Bar - RR Nagar
Regulars at Daysie, at its MG Road outlet and now at the newly opened RR Nagar space, will tell you how it easily transitions from being a place for a quick work meeting over a drink during the week to a family and friends meet-up kind of space over long meals to a high-energy dance floor on the weekends.
The cocktail programme places the focus on locally sourced ingredients and is as fun as it is nostalgic. Bareilly Bazar, for example, brings the familiar flavours of sugarcane juice, black salt and lime juice together with vodka. Afternoon Sun packs a punch with tequila shaken with homemade Sichuan peppercorn syrup, red bell pepper juice and lime. Sunset Boulevard is one to nurse with gin blended with homemade dragon fruit syrup, melon pickle brine, lime and quinine water.
Trivia: At Daysie, with the idea of catering to the corporates and promoting an easy drinking experience, all spirits are served in pauva (180ml) servings, perfect for group orders.
Siren – Lavelle Road
Siren has opened doors in what was up until recently Cantan, which served up some fiery Chinese cuisine. To the creators – this is a new addition to the scene from the AD Singh stable -- it felt natural to let the space continue with the Chinese theme, this time with a cocktail bar that has a menu inspired by Chinese festivals.
You can drink your way through a selection of 12 signature cocktails and then try the others. The Double Seven is a tribute to Chinese Valentine’s Day and the love story of Chinese deities Niu Lang and Zhi Nu. Inspired by the Moon Festival is a cocktail made with a tea base. Tea is customarily served alongside moon cakes.
Chrysanthemums are the traditional flowers of mourning placed on graves on Tomb Sweeping Day. From this comes Remember Jie, with Chrysanthemum gin, Cointreau, red wine, elderflower syrup and lemon juice. Among the savoury cocktails, try the Peking Duck which is a duck fat-washed whiskey cocktail. Every drink here has a story to tell, and you are welcome to immerse yourself in them all.
Trivia: Inspired by the Dragon Boat Festival in China, a 16-foot-long canoe, sourced from Kerala, has been used to create a dramatic light feature. Look out for it.
Dolphins Bar and Kitchen – Cox Town
This is a neighbourhood watering hole in the true sense of the term. The locality around it has changed all around, but it continues to be among the most reliable old-world charm, neighbourhood bars. People come here for cold draft beer, rum and coke, whiskies drunk neat or otherwise. Chilli pork, dal khichdi, egg pakodas and now chicken and prawn ghee roasts with neer dosas are popular on the tables here. The vibe is laidback, the music retro and at volumes that allow you to have a conversation.
So, what makes a bar that opened in 1977 join this list? The fact that, like several old institutions in Bengaluru, Dolphins was to shut down, but two friends, who couldn’t bear the thought, invested in it and turned its fate around. This is one of the few places which can boast of patrons who have been loyal since the opening year. Sundays often see three generations of families come here for lunch and beer.
Trivia: When was the last time you saw good ol’ Cheese, Cherry, Pineapple skewers on a menu? Well. Dolphins has it. Served on ice.
Wine in Progress - Shantinagar
Nestled within The Courtyard, Wine in Progress (WIP) is a tiny 14-seater dive bar for wine lovers and newcomers alike. They are all about simplifying the world of wine and breaking down walls around wine appreciation.
They have an ever-evolving roster by the glass, plus some rare, lesser-known grape varieties that ensure you try something new on each visit. There is also a line-up of sakes, vermouths, and ports to mix things up a bit. Additionally, Japanese tapas and vinyl records keep you company, and when things get lively, ‘Tony’, the disco ball comes out to shine.
Interestingly, WIP is not driven by formal sommelier titles but by a mixed crew of seasoned beverage pros with diverse backgrounds. WIP also has wine cocktails and the invitation is always open to finish or “kill a bottle” with friends. WIP is a reservations-only bar, and they book in slots, so plan ahead.
Trivia: Their fridge, affectionately called ‘Sexy Karen,’ showcases bottles upright, like in a boutique wine shop—just a little touch to make browsing easier for guests.
The Reservoire – Indiranagar
The Reservoire enjoys the status of being India’s largest cocktail bar with an extensive menu of over 150 creations. For art aficionados, The Reservoire has larger-than-life sculptures, captivating fabric prints, and a plethora of hand-painted artworks that adorn every nook and corner.
If you are a fan of the "Avengers," there is a set of drinks inspired by the superhero characters of this series. The Black Widow is a striking black colour that comes from activated charcoal, combined with cheesecake, wine, and cranberry juice. This drink is sweet and a bestseller. It is served with a wafer and an edible sticker featuring an image of the Avengers' Black Widow, adding to its thematic appeal.
The Great Gatsby cocktail is a great representation of the ‘Classic Period’ section of drinks that are inspired by popular movies from the 80s and 90s. It is served in a custom-designed bathtub and is made with gin, Le Blanc liquor, and a homemade herb syrup infused with kitchen herbs with basil-flavoured bubbles.
Trivia: Ask for the Gin Salad cocktail. A spontaneous creation by the founder, for his friends who wanted a light drink, it was inspired by a salad on their table. With crisp bell peppers, spicy jalapeños, and fragrant basil, the gin it uses adds botanical, floral depth and balance. A splash of lime juice and a tonic water finish make it a light and refreshing drink.
The Bier Library - Sarjapur Road
Chapter 2 of The Bier Library is spread over 87,000 sq. ft. and is a world of gigantic sun windows, bright natural light, rustic brick walls, three levels of cascading water bodies and a lush courtyard.
The brewery’s menu also has signature cocktails and dishes from The Bier Library 1, alongside new additions. The line-up includes rich, signature beers, seasonal and festive specials, and inventive cocktails inspired by famous novels from around the world. Forbidden Forest invites you to explore enchanting realms with its refreshing mix of vodka, apple, mint, elderflower, lemon and a touch of violet foam. For chilly evenings, Winter Kiss features blue pea tea-infused gin, rosemary extract, simple syrup, lime juice and tonic water, warming you like a comforting tale on a cold night.
Food-wise, you can indulge in wood-fired pizzas, Japanese and South-East Asian favourites, regional coastal delights, North Indian street food, Mediterranean flavours and more.
Trivia: Check out the high-ABV cocktail selection. Berry Bonker is a bold blend of five spirits, lime juice, berry tea and Red Bull. Blue Frog, with its five white spirits, blue curacao, and Red Bull, is a potent drink. Bloom Burst is a floral delight of rum, vodka, lime juice, floral soda, and Red Bull.
Maize and Malt – Whitefield
Here is a brewery that pays tribute to the historical tapestry of the colonial era in India.
At Maize and Malt, you will find Anglo-Indian and regional flavours inspired by the British Raj, set in a maze of walkover bridges and winding paths. Apart from craft brews like the Blonde Ale, Hazy IPA, and Amber Ale, you can explore The Speakeasy, their indoor cocktail haven. From Fruitful Phantoms, a vibrant blend of premium spirits and cold-pressed juices, to Revived Classics like Gin and Tonic with in-house sous-vide syrups, each drink celebrates heritage and innovation.
Trivia: Bengaluru has a penchant for large. Maize and Malt spans over 60,000 square feet, and features a maze-like design with walkover bridges, winding pathways, and seating for 1,200 guests.