Delhi is not new to speakeasies. The first, PCO, opened way back in 2012, but then there was a lull. This year the trend has caught on again with many new ones pepping up the capital’s bar scene with their touch of mystery, secrecy and exclusivity. The fun begins with locating the unpretentious doors that lie behind shops, cafes and theatres. These speakeasies also whip up some of the most creative cocktails the city has seen. We identify five that should definitely be on your list.
Noctis
“There’s a tailor sitting under a Mulberry tree. Please show him the slip we sent you,” I was told on the phone when I was trying to find Noctis in Panchsheel Park. I find Jagdish tailor and show him the appointment slip. He opens a discreetly hidden door to one of Delhi’s latest speakeasies. Spread over two levels, the dimly lit bar reminds me of the London bars I have been to with wooden interiors. It has a great vibe and menu as well. While I settle for a gin-based drink – which was so good, Delhi will be happy to know that they have several versions of Picante – so let the experimentation begin.
Bar Behind The Sandwich Shop
Located above the popular sandwich shop in Vasant Vihar – Shokupan –
this discreet speakeasy reveals itself when you open the door next to the kitchen area. It’s a lovely space with a long and wide bar – spacious enough to talk to those behind the counter and to the person next to you. I love the notebook that is handed with a hand-written menu and pictures pinned with paper clips. The extensive cocktail repertoire includes their take on classics as well as their own versions. The food menu is scrawled on the blackboard on one side. Its casual vibe makes it the perfect go-to neighbourhood bar.
Somewhere Nowhere
After the lift stops on the 3 rd floor, one walks into a vinyl record and cigar shop. Don’t get confused. You are at the right place – because just beyond this is Somewhere Nowhere – a chic speakeasy with interiors that transport you to Japan. It has earned the reputation of being among the country’s Top 100 Bars. The cocktail menu has a Japanese touch, including the favourite Picante. Named ‘Picanime’ here, it is made with Scotch, Sakura and rose, jalapeno and smoky malt while the glass is rimmed with a Japanese spice mix. I order the Tokyo Touch – tequila with dry vermouth, orange bitter and Gentian liqueur. It was potent and hit differently. The food menu is also inclined towards Japanese.
POD
When a speakeasy is tucked behind the door of a cafe where chocolate and coffee are the heroes, those aromas inevitably get infused into the spirits. This members-only-bar in Greater Kailash II is not just a low-key, comfy space which breathes exclusivity, it is a sanctuary that sets the mood for conversations to flow over your drink – whether it is the whiskey-based Night Shift that comes with dark chocolate, or the Cognac meets cacao. Accompany the cocktails with Thai inspired bar nibbles like yang skewers and gooey cheese wontons.
Iki & Gai
The name says it all. Iki means chic and Gai loosely translates as happy. That is why Iki & Gai in R.K. Puram’s Sangam Mall, although billed as a speakeasy, breaks away from the typical idea of a hushed or sober bar. Expect a fun and playful vibe because in their own words “we are rebellious towards the speakeasy culture.” At the wood and marble bar, the cocktails are also poured with a twist – don’t be surprised by ingredients like orange chocolate, Thai green curry, caviar pearls and peanut butter in your cocktail. The alcohol spills over into several dishes like lamb meatballs in a whisky based sauce.
