The 11 Best Bars In Delhi-NCR For Cocktails And Conversations

Gone are the days when bars in Delhi only served straight-up drinks and a few classic cocktails (loaded with sugar). Today, a new crop of outlets in the Capital is dialing up the cocktail drama with innovative beverage programmes.

From using forbidden ingredients like ketchup and opium in drinks to unlocking the power of scent, the inspiration behind the menus of cocktail-forward bars in Delhi-NCR goes beyond the ordinary.

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No wonder, some of them have made it to coveted lists like The World's 50 Best Bars and Asia's Best Bars many times over.

Wondering where to head? Here’s a curated list of bars in New Delhi serving spirit-forward cocktails in a sleek and modern setting. 

Lair, Vasant Vihar 

Described as a ‘mysterious, modernist and intimate’ cocktail bar, Lair in Delhi’s Priya Highstreet complex in Vasant Vihar lives up to its reputation. The atmosphere deftly creates an illusion of slipping between periods with its dark material palette. One moment, you find yourself absorbing the nostalgia of the 1920s. Sometime later, you are brought back to the modish era of the 2020s. 

The cocktail programme is in tune with its ambience, keeping unconventional ingredients at its centre. While you are here, try the China-inspired Phoenix with ingredients like jasmine gin, blanco, peach and lemongrass cordial, and lemon curd. Don't miss ordering Shopian, a spirit-forward, Manhattan-style drink with whiskey, Mishri cherry, vermouth and bitter aperitif that will transport you to Kashmir with every sip. 

Did you know: The co-founder of Lair, Jairaj Singh Solanki, is a Chef De Cuisine from Le Cordon Bleu. 

Sidecar, GK 2 

The artisanal bar by Yangdup Lama and Minakshi Singh no longer needs an introduction. Sidecar has made it to the charts with some of the top bars in the world. (#26 World’s 50 Best Bars, #18 Asia’s 50 Best Bars, #1 India’s 30 Best Bars). 

Proudly known as the ‘bartenders’ bar’, its cocktail programme includes some of the most inventive drinks. The signature menu ‘Arq’ attempts to bottle familiar scents, reimagining them with interesting but unusual ingredients. The Cilantro, with Jose Cuervo, tomato, coriander, chilli, lassi fat wash, mango cordial and coriander-cumin air, is a huge hit. You could also go for Titepati or bitter leaf, often used in the Himalayan regions to treat ailments, which has now been turned into a rum-based cocktail. The bar also offers low-ABV and zero-proof drinks. 

Fun fact: When Sidecar was launched, most people thought it had something to do with the cult film, Sholay. 

The Brook, DLF Cross Point Gurugram 

The Brook, inspired by Tennyson's classic poem of the same name, transports you to a mountain hideaway where time stands still (yes, they made it happen in noisy Gurugram!). Since the Himalayas play a muse here, the cocktail programme helmed by Yangdup Lama celebrates the bounty and techniques of the region. 

Try the Happy Himachali Hi Ball, their take on the ever-popular highball with whiskey, Himalayan apple cider vinegar and maple. Po Cha is another innovative drink, inspired by the butter tea in Ladakh, made with ghee-washed vodka, Himalayan pink salt, tea vermouth and brown butter syrup. 

The food menu, curated by Gautam Nijhawan, translates staples from the Himalayan kitchen into a new narrative. 

Did you know: It took the team 12 years to get the location in DLF Cross Point.

921, Hotel Diplomat 

It's the era of speakeasies in Delhi and 921 is the newest to join the brigade. Nestled in the charming Hotel Diplomat in Chanakyapuri, it is inspired by the Omakase concept (meaning ‘I will leave it up to you’). 

The ambience exudes old-world charm, reminiscent of a gentleman’s club. Sit back and order something based on your mood or favourites, and let the skilled mixologists work their magic (they use unusual ingredients like sandalwood and Naga basil).

Most cocktails change seasonally to incorporate fresh produce and ingredients, ensuring an evolving selection.

Fun fact: The name ‘921’ is derived from the speakeasy bar’s location on 9 SP Marg with the PIN code 21.

Asper, Global Gateway Tower A Gurugram 

Finding a home in one of Gurugram’s newest food and beverage hubs, The Kitchens, Asper offers an unforgettable experience with great food and even better cocktails. 

Asper gets its name from the phrase ‘as per’, which also ties into the outlet’s focus on personalisation. By day, the place has a relaxed vibe. After dawn, it transforms into a sophisticated nightlife spot where mixology takes centre stage. 

The cocktail menu has drinks listed under different seasons – summer, spring, autumn, winter, and the like. While you are there, order the Paradox with vanilla-infused Camino tequila, grapefruit and lime juice. You could also go for the gin-based Mirage with a burst of citrus flavours, courtesy of the addition of Gondhoraj lemon. 

Fun fact: Many corners at Asper have artefacts gifted to the owners by their friends and family. 

Lyrah-Alfresco Bar, Trident Gurgaon 

It may be only over a year old but Lyrah in Gurugram’s Trident hotel has become one of the hottest cocktail spots in the millennium city. The al-fresco venue is adorned with seasonal blooms, lush green foliage and is open to the skies, making it a great place to enjoy a drink (or more) in a serene setting. 

The cocktail philosophy of Lyrah rejoices in all things indigenous. Highlights include the Maracuya Picante (a tropical tequila cocktail with passion fruit, cilantro leaves, jalapeno, sweet and citrus), Cinnamon Whisky Sour (a twist on the classic whisky sour) and Paan 420 (with betel-infused gin and gulkand syrup). 

Fun fact: Lyrah takes inspiration from the Greek word ‘lyre’, a stringed musical instrument that represents revelry. ‘Rah’ denotes an immersive journey into the heart of adventure.

Captain's Cellar, Taj Mahal New Delhi 

Captain’s Cellar, inspired by traditional wine cellars, offers a sanctuary to wine lovers to enjoy the drink from different parts of the world. The menu offers a repertoire of global and domestic wines—both old and new world—preserved with leading-edge technology such as Enomatic equipment and the Corvin selection. 

The spotlight is on ‘the perfect pour’, integrating the art and science of wine. Pair the wines with small plates, cheese and meat platters or spend several hours in its Tasting Rooms 

Fun fact: The seating areas in Captain's Cellar are uniquely named after renowned wine regions– Mosel, Napa Valley, Rhone Valley, Akluj, Havana, Old World and New World. 

PCO, Vasant Vihar 

One of Delhi's first speakeasies, known for its hidden entrance, continues to push boundaries with creative ingredients, glassware, and techniques, offering a unique drinking experience.

To mark 12 years of transforming cocktail culture in India, PCO has recently unveiled a menu with 12 signature cocktails titled ‘The Forbidden’, which draws inspiration from the prohibited aspect of speakeasies. Some unconventional and often forbidden ingredients such as tobacco, MSG, and poppy seeds are used here. 

The team also recently revealed The Director’s Room, an exclusive Omakase-style cocktail space within PCO, which is something like a bar within a bar!

Fun fact: Since MSG as an ingredient has always received a bad rap, PCO has a cocktail ‘Bad Reputation’ with the taboo ingredient. 

KHI KHI, Vasant Vihar 

The name says it all. KHI KHI is a place to get together with your buddies over contemporary cocktails. The bar menu takes a free-spirited approach to old and new favorites, adding playful, tongue-in-cheek twists but not at the expense of quality.

Some of the must-haves here include The Toddy Shop Quarter, a bold nod to India’s drinking culture, capturing the essence of enjoying a quarter with juice straight from the theka. There's also Fair-Trade Paloma, featuring Indian citrus, ginger, and kokum salt for a local twist. Try CIN CIN if you want your cocktail to be served with a mini Gucci bag. 

Fun fact: There's a secret space ‘Above 15’ within KHI KHI, with only 15 seats and serving liquor aged 15 years and above. 

KLAP, Khan Market 

One of Khan Market’s most popular hangouts, KLAP is a fun place where you can be assured of free-flowing tipples inspired by flavours from around the world. With an expansive two-floor layout and a vibrant terrace, it is a perfect spot for chill evenings with friends or even date night. 

What should you order? Well, we recommend Pour Over, a drink that brings together gin and coffee, with a hint of salted caramel. If you like distinct flavours, you could also try the clarified cocktail Gulkand, with bourbon, rose petal jam and spices. 

Fun fact: Being surrounded by jamun trees, KLAP decided to create a drink to honour this setting. Called Jamun Lady, this gin-based cocktail with Prosecco and in-house jamun sorbet is their most-selling cocktail. 

The Library Bar, The Leela Palace, New Delhi 

Taking inspiration from the timeless narratives of classic literature, The Library Bar at The Leela Palace New Delhi has enough and more to impress you. Its ‘Literary Mixology’ menu blends rich storytelling with the art of mixology. 

When a guest orders a cocktail from the menu, they receive a bookmark that features the menu inside different novels upon which the cocktails are based, inviting them to immerse themselves in the literary world as they order and sip the drink. 

The bar also offers a sophisticated collection of cigars, whiskey and wine. 

Fun fact: The Pablo Picasso cocktail has been inspired by the artwork of Picasso.