With a host of new restaurants and bars popping up in Delhi every week, it can be difficult deciding where to go on the weekend. Even if you manage to be heard over the clamouring voices of all your friends, you might end up picking a bad spot, and not only will your friends never trust you to make decisions, but you won’t visit that bar ever again.
Here are our favourite nine spots that have kept us coming back for more.
One of our favourite old haunts, 4S has been around since Defence Colony Market had only three other eateries. Catering to regulars, a host of different generations of college-going students and walk-ins looking for a place light on the wallet, 4S has been a perfect example of a chill Delhi evening out for decades. Serving delicious Chindian cuisine {the Honey Chilli Potato is to die for}, cheap drinks and a wonderful human being in their guard, you can always rely on them for a good time.
When Summer House Café first opened in Aurobindo it provided much needed space and relief from the large crowds of Hauz Khas Village. These days, being as popular as any of the HKV spots, it is always packed to the rafters. Even though it has lost some of it’s easy going charm by embracing the party atmosphere of the Village, the always fun rooftop, regular music gigs and the surprisingly good food make us regulars of this establishment.
Hauz Khas Village regulars will know all about Raasta. Known for having bangers on the weekends, and good reggae and dub events, this is one spot in the Village we eventually find ourselves being drawn back to. Their outdoor space is very comfortable for a group of friends {as long as you manage to nab one of the tables} and smoker-friendly. Success has brought them more outlets, with another huge Raasta opening in Cyber Hub.
Some of the older night owls among you will remember the old Ministry of Sound {we do, we used to get kicked out of there all the time}, and its huge glass pyramid ceiling. That Louvre copycat building now houses one of our regular hangouts in Monkey Bar. Known for their smashing events, and regularly showcasing limited-time-only menus, they are one of Delhi’s safest bets for a fun night out. Their drinks aren’t bad either!
Gurgaon’s Cocktails and Dreams is known for their intense and delicious cocktails {it all really is in the name, isn’t it?}. Their classic mixes are good, but it is their signature cocktails that keep us coming back for more. Their sweet décor, tasty starters and regular trivia nights don’t hurt either! The intimate space makes it a great place to go to with a small group of friends if you’re looking for something low-key and want to avoid the weekend chaos.
We can’t talk about Soi 7 without talking about beer. One of Gurgaon’s plethora of microbreweries, they serve up four unique beers brewed in-house. Another plus is their huge space, and an outdoor sitting area perfect for some winter chill sessions {you almost don’t feel like you’re in Cyber Hub!}. Their delish Asian cuisine, boxing ring, and performance stage add to the experience and help them host a series of events.
Another Gurgaon-based microbrewery, Adda by Striker has been taking the Sector 29 market by storm. Their two types of beer – wheat and dark – come relatively cheap for in-house brewed beer, and having one on their terrace overlooking the market, while munching on some snacks, is a hard feeling to beat.
