Quirky Cocktails And A Twist On Food Makes New Pub Liber A Winner

The new kid on the Indiranagar block, Liber is a mix of lounge, club and café; so you can go here no matter what your mood. Plus, a multi-cuisine-meets-fusion menu for that hint of exotic. Oh, and it’s massive!

Kastoori Murgh Malai Kebab, Water Chestnuts In Plum Chilli Sauce, Pandi Dry Fry

Tantric Mojito, 12th Main Iced Tea, Mustang

Fusion food done right and plenty of space so you don’t constantly bump into fellow revelers, nor unwittingly become part of the next tables’ conversation.

What’s great is that they have three different floors, save for the dominant bar areas on each! The first is much like a restaurant, the second is more lounge bar thanks to its open-to-the-sky centre, and the terrace area is bright and sunny by day, and cool and romantic by night. We love that you’re not jostling for space even on a crowded night — it’s that big.

Most of the menu is made up of starters and sharing platters. The Kastoori Murgh Malai Kebab comes sinfully loaded with molten cheese and caramelised onions. The Pandi Dry Fry was another winner — with the perfect amount of Kachampuli {Coorg-style vinegar} to make it authentic. We also had Pork Ribs but it was more ribs and less pork. We loved the fusion Fried Idli in a spicy Schezwan sauce — fluffy and innovative enough to lure even non-vegetarians. The surprise star was the Water Chestnuts though. Fried to a delicate crisp, it was done in a lightly-sweet plum and chilli sauce.

Pizzas are a draw as they’re thin crust and straight out of the brick oven. We loved the Meat Market — sausages, pork sausages, smoked chicken, lamb meatballs, and by the second slice it was a bit of an overload. Best to share it. For more choice, there’s a smattering of Asian food {Nasi Goreng and curries}, burgers, sandwiches and Indian dishes too. End the meal with Chocolate Lava Cake or Rainbow Cake.

We love that they’ve Liber-alised cocktails, while the classics remain untouched. Naturally, we picked quirky and the Tantric Mojito didn’t disappoint — usual mojito perked up with spicy rum. The 12th Main Iced Tea is for a seasoned drinker as it arrives with everything from vodka and gin to Jack Daniel’s and Tequila. I am possibly still buzzing from it, over 24 hours later! House-special Mustang is for the mocktail sorts – caramel, litchi and a kick of English mustard. It borders on mango-meet-pineapple flavours, but interestingly has not an ounce of those fruits!

Liber strikes the balance of resto-bar very nicely. Plus, nothing like a refreshing menu to switch things up. But for now, we’re heading here for the roomy and breezy atmosphere — large enough to be non-intrusive but not lonely.