Beyond raves and speakeasy bars, how Delhi's past is redefining nightlife

India Today

2 days ago

Cue: Yeh Dilli hai mere yaar... bas ishq, mohabat, pyaar...Delhi is a pop-colour mood board that has something to offer everyone. A small dot on the Indian political map, albeit it abounds in the history, culture and heritage that have shaped the city it is today.There's lots to do here. Lots to eat (duh!), lots to scout, lots to shop and a lot of stories to unfold. A day out in the capital is nothing short of a vivid experience of diversity. But what about the nights? That's a whole different mood. And no, it's not just about speakeasy bars, coffee raves or fake weddings. In fact, night tourism is slowly becoming a real thing in Delhi.advertisement
There's history, and it's quietly slipping into the city's nightscape.For the longest time, Delhiites have complained that there isn't much to do post-sunset. But Delhi being home to a rich heritage, there's a different side that not many people are aware of.Reviving night tourism in DelhiWhat makes the night so special? Maybe it's the silence on the streets where the traffic horns blare, or the strange comfort of the city resting. There's something about late-night strolls, drives or that spontaneous ice-cream run that makes it all hit different.Speaking of nightlife, Mumbai probably crossed your mind. Hold it right there. This isn't a Delhi vs Mumbai rant. Yes, Mumbai has Marine Drive and other things. But Delhi? Delhi has its own kind of story etched in the British columns of Connaught Place, the towering Qutub Minar, the red sandstone of Red Fort, the greens of Sunder Nursery. And now, some of these places are open beyond sunset.
Monuments in Delhi light up after sunset
Let's be honest, when you think about what to do in the late evening or nights in the capital, monuments don't make the cut because the common perception is that they are all closed by 5 or 6 pm. Well...it's not really the case any more.Recently, Sunder Nursery and the Humayun's Tomb and Museum extended visiting hours till 10 pm. Why? To boost tourism.Sites like Qutub Minar or India Gate have been part of the nightlife in the capital but not as popularly as it is today. Since 2019, the government has actively pushed to expand access to monuments like Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Safdarjung Tomb and Humayun's Tomb. 'This initiative was started so that people can visit monuments at night and even post-sunset. It will increase tourist footfall and encourage night stays,' Atul Pandey from Delhi Tourism tells India Today. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sunder Nursery (@sundernurserygardens)But this just doesn't benefit only tourists from other places. It's also for those tied to their desks from 9 to 5. Evening access opens up Delhi for everyone.While extending timings helps, the bigger attraction is the initiatives being taken to make it an enriching experience by introducing the light and sound shows and walks. Red Fort hosts an immersive show called Jai Hind. Meanwhile, Qutub Minar also offers short projections mapping India's cultural diversity. There are also private and government-led night heritage walks that happen. Isn't it a great way to engage with history; no textbooks needed!
Light and Sound show at Qutub Minar (Credit: Author)
'Back in May 2019, we began night walks after timings were extended for four monuments - Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Safdarjung Tomb and Humayun's Tomb,' says Anoushka Jain, founder of heritage organisation Enroute Indian History.She further adds how these night walks have been a hit segment amongst the citizens as well. And these walks bring together people of all age groups - school-going kids to senior citizens - everyone curiously walk around the sites.Not just the government, but certain private entities like the Aga Khan Trust For Culture (they help in the restoration of Humayun's Tomb, Sunder Nursery amongst others), The Dalmia Bharat Group (looks after upkeep of the Red Fort) have become a part of the initiative to revive and enhance the history.What about safety?advertisementOne of the first things people ask when they hear 'monuments open at night' is if it is safe?While some areas still remain dimly lit, like parts of Humayun's Tomb, others, like Qutub Minar and Safdarjung, are well-lit and secure.'Safety concerns aren't there, honestly, especially at places like Safdarjung, Qutub Minar and Sunder Nursery. They are well-guarded and have a strong footfall,' Jain affirms.Atul Pandey echoes this. 'The entire area is not open at night, there are designated zones. The officers of the Archaeological Survey of India, are on duty there. Around most heritage sites, Delhi Police has also deployed tourist police, and some safety measures have been taken. So far, there hasn't been any incident where safety has been an issue."Monuments after dark - is it really catching up?Let's just say it's a work in progress.There's no doubt how people are flocking to these places and enjoying nighttime lit monuments. But there is a gap."Earlier, people believed there was nothing to do at night except pubs and cafes. Now, people are exploring monuments at night. People are showing up. Families, couples, friend groups. They visit monuments, pair it with dinner, click photos and experience a side of Delhi that did exist, but people didn't really know,' says Jain.advertisementBut the bigger issue is awareness. Many still don't know these sites are open post 5 pm. Even when they do, the timings online are inconsistent.'I knew Qutub Minar was open till 9 pm but wasn't sure about others. Honestly, online timings can't be trusted. It's is a bit difficult to track if these places are open till 7,8 or 9,' says Prateek, a Delhi-based media professional.Jain shares how people were shocked when her night walks first launched. 'They just assumed all monuments were shut at 5 pm.'With social media in place, there has been an increase in awareness owing to viral reels that showcase the beauty of Qutub Minar at night. But what about others?"When I told my parents I was going to Humayun's Tomb, they were surprised. 'yeh raat ko thodi khule hote hain (These aren't open at night)', they quipped. So, I think there's a gap in terms of information availability and accessibility too because even I got to know about it when I came across a friend's social media story," a 24-year-old performance marketing expert shares with India Today. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SHubham Jha (@luvshubhamj)advertisementDushyant Singh Panwar, heritage experiences curator and cultural revivalist agrees. 'Everyone knows about Qutub, but there are others too. The monuments that are open late aren't publicised well. There needs to be a proper government-led campaign. Not just these; in fact, many people walk past historic havelis in Chandni Chowk and don't even realise their value. Why? It's simply not well preserved."Heritage is more than monumentsAnd here's the bigger thought: are we defining heritage too narrowly?'Why are we only limiting ourselves to monuments? Heritage is also the lovely food that has been served over the centuries; the languages, the clothes, the customs, the traditions - everything is heritage, isn't it? Because heritage is something that is passed down from one generation to the other. That's the definition of heritage. Somewhere, some mistakes have happened where we have come to consider heritage as synonymous with built monuments,' says Panwar.Speaking about night tourism in Delhi, he further adds, "We're on the right track but more can be done. If Qutub Minar can stay open till 9 pm without issues, why not others? There's no clear reason why a uniform policy can't be implemented across the board."Jain agrees too. There is a visible shift, a new kind of excitement. But to truly unlock the potential of Delhi's nightlife, the experience needs better communication, better lighting, and a broader, more inclusive idea of heritage itself.Delhi is not just some backdrop to a Bollywood story - it is a character, a story in itself.So when you Google 'things to do in Delhi at night,' chances are it will still list places like Hauz Khas or India Gate. But there's more waiting in the quiet glow of lit-up monuments, in the stories whispered through heritage walks. You just have to look a little closer.- Ends