Mumbai's Best Bars to Grab a Stiff Drink

If a quintessential night out in Mumbai is on the agenda, and you have a penchant for high-quality drinking, then embarking head-on to the finest drinking establishments is the natural direction you should take.

A spirited odyssey through the city’s nightlife offers a thrilling blend of eclectic atmospheres – chic lounges where the cocktails are as refined as the ambiance in which they are served; raucously fun bars where the energy is in friendly competition with the beats; social-media-obsessed dens where the vibe is as spicy as a Bollywood plot twist; and rooftop havens with sweeping views that will make your Instagram game a lot better.

Best Bars in Mumbai

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Without further ado, here’s a deliciously tipsy treasure hunt of the city’s ever-evolving tipple scene – with bottomless pleasure guaranteed.

Slink & Bardot

The French restaurant and cocktail bar oozes sophistication with its come-hither lighting, and multiple rooms offering intimate nooks and cozy corners. A perfect setting for a quieter weeknight sip or Saturday night that morphs into a thriving nightlife hub, the drink menu houses enough options to give you refreshing, fruit-infused concoctions and also the more headier (read: stronger) blends – it’s basically the liquid version of a mood ring.

What you’re drinking: The Aeropress Negroni or Smoky Affair

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Ness, The Trident Hotel

This bright and inviting bar burst onto the scene only a few months ago, and it’s already the go-to spot for those who take pride in calling themselves the merry folk of SoBo. With enchanting views of the Arabian Sea and a grand list of drinks that you can get away with from day to night, this one’s an easy spot to chat about the nicer things in life: your upcoming holiday to Portofino – or that thing you said you’d accompany your partner to…

What you’re drinking: The Kir Royale or Tsukomono Hiball

PCO

Looking for a speakeasy with a classic undercover vibe? Enter PCO, where the entrance is so discreet, it might as well be a secret mission. With no obvious signage in sight, PCO—short for Passcode Only—ushers you in through a stealthy little entrance and into an outdoor area with ‘Secret Garden’ vibes. A cocktail sanctuary dedicated to perfecting the art of pre-prohibition and prohibition-era classics with a stylish modern flair, these drinks are hands-down some of the best the city will offer you. Just remember how you got there for the next time.

What you’re drinking: The Hemp or Corduroy

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Asilo

Towering over the city from the plush rooftop of the St. Regis, Asilo is familiar territory to most. Memories of this elite establishment may yo-yo between wildly unforgettable nights, followed by a morning after of hazy snippets, to being the spot you’ve dragged every date to in the hopes of impressing them with your sophistication. Asilo – and your Amex – has seen it all. The drinks selection, whether stiff spirits or punchy cocktails, is very generous, and very delicious too!

What you’re drinking: The El Higo or Mudslide

Bombay Daak

A fairly recent addition to the city’s ever expanding drinking scene is Bombay Daak. Diving headfirst into India’s vibrant daaru-chakna culture, this very popular hotspot has already turned the age-old pairing of booze and bites into an art form. Honouring a rich tapestry of tales and tastes, all the drinks here celebrate the diverse spectrum of the county’s grand heritage. This is where all the fun begins!

What you’re drinking: The Lallantop or Naadan Kallu

Americano

Americano is exactly the kind of place cocktail dreams are made of. As you sit at your table overlooking an open kitchen where a phalanx of chefs work in similar fashion to synchronised swimmers, you’re drawn to a bar menu that is a delightful mix of time-honoured classics that’ve been revitalised with facelifts – as well as cleverly concocted originals that draw from far-flung corners of the globe. Just don’t forget to book in advance!

What you’re drinking: The Dead Rabbit or Cyclone

AER

Another rooftop winner located on the 34th floor of The Four Seasons Hotel, this bar and lounge is a 2.0 version that was shaped up to be a lot sexier – with a pleasing nautical theme running through. The perks? Its retractable roof is the ultimate weather-proof wingman, ensuring that not a single guest is ever barred from cocktail hour by the whims of Mother Nature again. Whether you’re unwinding with an early evening liquid as the sunset puts on a show, or revving up for a livelier vibe après hours, this is up where you belong.
What you’re drinking: The Aer Gin Corpse Reviver or Lightning Fury

CIRQA 1960

They call themselves “Bombay’s worst kept secret.” And it’s true. What distinguishes this Victorian-esque speakeasy, adorned with dark wood tones and exposed brickwork, is its unapologetic obsession with cocktails. The masterminds behind the bar don’t just throw a couple of ingredients around and pour them into a glass; they concoct libations that are dangerously delectable and much stronger than your will to resist temptation. With an almost fanatical attention to detail, these good folks have engineered a cocktail style that’s rather impressive—because why settle for ordinary when you can be extraordinary?

What you’re drinking: Easy on the Chilli or Trust In Me

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Masque

Famous for its ever-famous degustation menu and ingredient-forward prowess, you will find Masque’s bar menu has been fashioned with the same vigour and gumption. You can peruse the beverage menu as if you’re deciding what to binge-watch next – but with far more sophisticated options. Most of the cocktails use inventive techniques and ingredients, and are a nod to ancient Ayurvedic wisdom that channels the five essential elements. One thing is certain – flavour is most certainly king.

What you’re drinking: The Maverick or 5 Pollen