Delhi's Lair named best bar in India; four other Indian bars featured in Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025 list
Lair, New Delhi (#8)
From a speakeasy tucked inside Vasant Vihar comes the country's most hyped cocktail destination. Lair isn't just about stylish design (think monochrome concrete and sharp glass cuts), it's about drink innovation that has the rest of Asia watching closely. Founders Jairaj Singh Solanki and Dhruv Raj Vij conceptualised Lair in 2019, survived the pandemic, and turned it into a full-blown trendsetter by 2025. Ever seen edible paint on glassware? Or tasted a Picante before it was cool? That's Lair's legacy. It's the kind of place where cocktails are concept art, not just concoctions.
SOKA, Bengaluru (#28)
Hidden away in a snug 38-seater space with leather couches and Goan art installations, SOKA takes a poetic approach to cocktails. Its one-page menu is deceptively simple, because the storytelling happens in your glass. Helmed by the team behind Jamming Goat in Goa, Chef Sombir Choudhary and bartender Avinash Kapoli, envision SOKA showcases the city's stories and secrets to both longtime residents and new entrants through an assortment of story-centric cocktails. Think clarified jasmine, sous-vided bananas, and a piquant tequila cocktail named Mofo Don that glows pink thanks to red cabbage juice from a vendor in Russell Market. This is not your average pub, it's Bangalore, bottled.
Boilermaker, Goa (#30)
At Boilermaker, Goa's craft beer and cocktail powerhouses collide to create a bar that's industrial in vibe but pure soul in its pours. Co-founded by Pankaj Balachandran and Nakul Bhonsle, this joint is part welder, part wizard. The drink menu is split into Smashables, Sessionables, and Shorties — each one more fun than the last. Try Papa Issues, a riot of rum, papaya, and Sichuan pepper. Or Chotu Garibaldi, a short but deadly mix of Campari and fresh orange. Who needs a story when the flavour slaps this hard?
ZLB23 at The Leela Palace, Bengaluru (#31)
ZLB23 is part Prohibition-era New York, part Kyoto minimalism, and all heart. Hidden behind a secret door at The Leela Palace, this ultra-chic bar serves Shiso Negronis, smoky Old-Fashioneds, and a heady dose of live jazz. Every sip here feels like a secret well kept, and that's the point. Whether it's a moody jazz night or a global bar takeover, ZLB23 brings intimacy and intrigue back to Bengaluru nightlife.
Spirit Forward, Bengaluru (#37)
This Lavelle Road stunner is the kind of place where ice cubes get stamped, olives are blue cheese-stuffed, and the gin martini is prediluted and poured icy from the bottle. Spirit Forward was crafted by longtime F&B insiders with a knack for magic behind the bar. The Southern Star, their tequila-based crowd-favourite, is fermented with guava, plum, and jalapeno for 36 hours before being shaken to silken perfection. One sip and you'll understand why this bar just raced into the global spotlight.
The ones that just missed the cut
The excitement didn't stop at 50. Four more Indian bars made it to the extended 51–100 list: Goa's Bar Outrigger (#55), Delhi's beloved Sidecar (#62), Mumbai's legendary Bombay Canteen (#69), and Hideaway in Goa (#94).
So whether you're beach-bound or city-hopping, this year's Asia's 50 Best Bars proves one thing — India isn't just catching up to the cocktail world, it's raising the bar, quite literally.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
41 minutes ago
- News18
Mehmood Once Claimed He 'Beat' Up Rajesh Khanna: 'I've Worked With Bigger Stars'
Rajesh Khanna, known as Kaka, delivered 17 superhits but faced a downfall due to his peers and attitude, Mehmood once claimed. He also said that he 'beat' Khanna during a film. Rajesh Khanna, fondly called Kaka by his fans, once delivered 17 superhit films at a stretch. Back then, he had it all – love, luck, fame, and wealth. Unfortunately, before he could savour his stardom, it slipped right through his fingers. Late actor-filmmaker Mehmood, who had worked closely with Khanna, once claimed that he 'beat" up the superstar as he couldn't take his starry tantrums. He even revealed that the then-superstar's peers led to his drastic downfall. In Rajesh Khanna 's biography, Dark Star The Loneliness of Being Rajesh Khanna, penned by Gautam Chintamani and published by Rupa Publications, an excerpt about the infamous Mehmood-Khanna controversy read: 'In the mid 1970s, Mehmood had approached Khanna for a cameo in his Ginny Aur Johnny (1976) and was impressed with the way the then megastar had treated him. Khanna agreed to shoot the very next day, showed up on time, worked without displaying any starry airs, and also refused to take any money. But working full-time with Khanna proved to be a harrowing experience for Mehmood. 'I had worked with stars much bigger than Rajesh Khanna,' recalled the legendary comedian, who couldn't help but think that signing Khanna had been a mistake." Before the film could be completed, a frustrated Mehmood 'even beat up Khanna". It was his way of drawing a line – making it clear that he wasn't someone like Shakti Samanta or Roopesh Kumar, who would bend over backwards to please him. Mehmood later remarked that it wasn't just Khanna's attitude, but the company he kept, that ultimately led to the downfall of his career. 'Written by Abrar Alvi, Mehmood's film paired Khanna opposite Yogita Bali and was a disappointment that is best remembered for the song 'Hum se kaa bhool huee' sung by Anwar, who was the first of Rafi's clones that littered the landscape in the 1980s," read another line from the book. How did Rajesh Khanna die? Rajesh Khanna, often regarded as the first superstar of Indian cinema, died on July 18, 2012, at the age of 69. He had been battling a prolonged illness, widely believed to be cancer, although the exact nature was never officially confirmed by his family. In the months leading up to his death, his health had significantly worsened, and he was frequently in and out of the hospital. He passed away at his Carter Road bungalow, Aashirwad, in Mumbai, surrounded by close family members, including his estranged wife Dimple Kapadia, daughters Twinkle and Rinke Khanna, and son-in-law Akshay Kumar. His death marked the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable films and a fan following that spanned generations. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
43 minutes ago
- News18
Watch: With Crackers And Chants, Jr NTR Fans Turn War 2 Trailer Launch Into A Festival
Last Updated: Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR-starrer War 2's trailer was screened across multiple theatres in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The response from fans is absolute madness. The War 2 trailer has turned theatres into celebration grounds, especially across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where Jr NTR fans thronged cinema halls just to witness their favourite star's Bollywood debut. Starring Hrithik Roshan and Kiara Advani, War 2 also marks the much-awaited entry of Tollywood's superstar Jr NTR into the YRF Spy Universe. Directed by Ayan Mukerji, the film sees NTR as Vikram, an Indian agent locked in an explosive face-off with Hrithik's Kabir. And while the film is still three weeks away from its theatrical release, fans in the South are treating the trailer release as a festival in itself. War 2 Trailer Becomes Festival for NTR Fans In a rare move, War 2's trailer was screened across multiple theatres in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The response is absolute madness. Fans lined up in huge numbers, and not just for the film; they came just to watch the trailer. That's the level of excitement Jr NTR's entry into Bollywood has stirred. A video shared by Shreyas Media on X (formerly Twitter) shows fans running into the theatre with full enthusiasm. The caption read, 'WAR2 trailer is a Festival for NTR fans! Mass scenes outside, madness inside." WAR2 Trailer = Festival for #NTR Fans!💥Mass scenes outside, madness inside! 🔥 @iHrithik @tarak9999 @advani_kiara #AyanMukerji #YRFSpyUniverse — Shreyas Sriniwaas (@shreyasmedia) July 25, 2025 Another viral video captured fans at Ravi Theatre bursting crackers, popping party poppers, and shouting slogans for their favourite star. It wasn't just a screening, it was a celebration. Madanapalle NTR fans Celebrations For WAR2 Trailer Launch at Ravi Theatre 🧨😎🐯 Jai NTR 🥵💪🔥 #WAR2Trailer @tarak9999 #WAR2 #WAR2TrailerEuphoria @mplNTRfans — Jr NTR Music (@TheNTRMusic) July 25, 2025 A third clip shared from inside a theatre shows the moment Jr NTR appears on screen. The crowd erupts with deafening cheers that drown out the dialogue completely. The caption said it all: 'And here we go!!!!! Scenes" with firecracker and tiger emojis. NTR Fans Celebrated Even Before Trailer Release Even before the trailer hit the screens, fans were seen waving flags and chanting inside the cinema halls. A fanpage on X posted, 'Soldiers ready. A huge roller coaster is going to drop soon." Jr NTR Shares The War 2 Trailer Jr NTR, who is known for his grounded charm and power-packed screen presence, didn't miss this moment. Sharing the trailer on his official X handle, he wrote, 'You've taken sides before… But this time, everything changes. War 2 trailer is out!" And fans were quick to respond. One wrote, 'Goosebumps! Sides will be taken, legends will collide." Another said, 'That intensity, that swagger. Jr. NTR is here to steal the SpyVerse." A third added, 'This is astonishing. War 2 has got all the elements to score huge at the ticket windows… With the face-off of Jr NTR and Hrithik Roshan, it's set to take the audience on an unforgettable ride." You've taken sides before… But this time, everything changes. #War2Trailer (Tamil) is out! #War2 only in theatres from 14th August. Releasing in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil. @iHrithik @advani_kiara #AyanMukerji #YRFSpyUniverse @yrf — Jr NTR (@tarak9999) July 25, 2025 War 2 Release Date Directed by Ayan Mukerji and produced by Aditya Chopra under Yash Raj Films, War 2 is the sixth film in the YRF Spy Universe and a sequel to War (2019). With Hrithik Roshan reprising his role as Kabir, Jr NTR adding a fresh dose of intensity as Vikram, and Kiara stepping into a role unlike anything the audience has seen her in before, the stakes are higher than ever. The film is slated for a global release on August 14, just in time for Independence Day. And if Jr NTR's fanbase is anything to go by, this film isn't just going to open big, it's going to explode. As the actor himself hinted, this time, the encounter has no rules. And that applies to fans' love, too. First Published: July 25, 2025, 18:02 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Taste the flavours of Lahore and Patiala in Delhi at Amninder Sandhu's Kikli
The culinary disposition of Punjab, unlike its geographic landscape, remains undivided. It spells the fusion of hearty, robust and fiery palate coupled with cooking techniques that date back to the Harappan civilisation. Fortunately, you do not have to travel back in time to taste the heritage of Punjabi cuisine. It has a new address — Kikli in New Delhi's Connaught Place. Co-owned by Chef Amninder Sandhu, who is the force behind Bawri (Goa, Mumbai) and Dining Experiences at Tipai (a boutique wildlife escape in Maharashtra), Kikli holds the key to Punjab's lesser-known flavours and dishes that go beyond the usual butter chicken, kulcha, pindi chhole and makki di roti teh sarson da saagh. It offers katlama that sits proud in the lanes of Lahore as Pakistan's well-known street food since 1947 and it digs out the secrets of Patiala's royal kitchen. 'About two years ago, I decided to create a restaurant that is all things Punjab,' says Amninder, talking about the inception of Kikli. Between Mumbai and Delhi, she zeroed in on a heritage site in the capital's Connaught Place and roped in interior designer Ariane Thakore Ginwala to design her new venture as a 'stripped-down version of a haveli'. She wanted the restaurant to house different seating areas, from courtyard and bar to dining section and an open kitchen, which complemented each other and beguiled the curious guest's attention to details. 'It took us nearly nine months to build it,' she says of the venue spanning nearly 8,000 square feet that will be operational from July 28 and can accommodate nearly 130 people. With Kikli, Amninder leverages three things — her Punjabi identity, camaraderie with Sarvesh Kaur (the late granddaughter of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala) and her knowledge of traditional slow-cooking techniques. 'In 2018, when I opened regional Indian restaurant Arth in Mumbai, Sarvesh shared her heirloom recipes with me. These were handwritten notes from her mom. She helped me find my rhythm in cooking and it continues to dictate my culinary choices,' she says. Though Arth was forced to shut during the pandemic because of unforeseen financial setbacks, Amninder says that some of the dishes from its menu are now part of Kikli. One of the 11 sections on the menu, titled The Royals, features Patiala shahi paratha, mewadar keema and kofta alubukhara. The other sections are Salaad, Chaat Pakode Centre, Buns, Meat And Fish Corner, Bade Mazedar, Hara, Rotiya, Pulaaaw, Mithiya Cheezaa and Lassi. Amninder recalls, 'Another interesting thing about Arth was that it was a no-gas restaurant and I cooked everything on open fire. At Kikli, I have installed a hara, on which the dal is cooked overnight.' It was during her visit to a 120-year-old farmhouse in Bathinda, Punjab, where Amninder saw a hara. 'It looks like a hearth, works like a slow cooker and has a smoking chamber. It has two wells where you put paathiya (cow-dung cakes) and coal,' she explains, while adding, 'Kadhai-based dishes at Kikli are made in sarbloh utensils made by third-generation blacksmiths. The chutneys are ground in danda kunda (mortar and pestle).' Kikli's menu champions local ingredients, like ajwain patta, moongre, kaali gaajar, shalgam, chappan kaddu and khapli atta. 'It has papdi chaat where the papdi is made with bajra. Also, in Punjab, coriander seeds, anardana, crushed chilli and amchur is used a lot. For most dishes, I have made my own masala. Also, the vegetables are sourced from Smiling Earth Organic Farms in Selakhari Haryana,' adds Amninder. She likes to assign different periods of history to the borders of Punjab, while describing the origins of some of the dishes on the menu. 'For instance, katlama, a bread, was sent to each other's homes during Baisakhi; on the menu, it is called Kikli katlama. You will find katlama at various places, and if you come to think of it, in the mid-19th Century the Sikh Empire extended from Gilgit and Tibet to Sindh and from Khyber Pass to the Sutlej. So, our culinary heritage is expansive,' she shares. The name Kikli comes from Punjab's folk dance. She says, 'It was suggested by my brother and I think it fits. Even as a dance form, kikli is not for the faint-hearted and is almost like martial art. I feel, the restaurant's co-owner Dhruv Chawala and I are also performing kikli as we run this venture.' A meal for two at Kikli, located at K 11B, Connaught Outer Circle, New Place, K Block, Connaught Place, New Delhi, and open from noon to 1am, is priced upwards of ₹1,500 approx. (without alcohol).
