Cheat Sheet | Coolest New Bars in Town

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By Upasana Gupta

Delhi might not have the ideal nightlife by some of our standards, but one must give credit where it is due. The capital has seen some cool bars spring up -  from wineries to gastro-pubs to cocktail bars - with innovative drinks, live performances and interesting choices of music. As the drinking culture of Delhi evolves {for the better}, we're rounding up the coolest new bars in town.

All work and no play made the Delhiwaala a dull person. So even if it's for one cocktail and a small snack, here are the bars you want to hit.

Monkey Bar | A trip to the original Monkey Bar in Bangalore had me raving about their Whiskey cocktails and Jaeger trains. It also made me realize the lack of a good "pub-bar" back in Delhi. To my very pleasant surprise, towards the end of 2013, Monkey Bar made its way to the capital. Besides the well thought-out cocktails {a whiskey lover myself, I went through a few jars of what they call Narangi}, their food complements the feel of the place perfectly - with everything from salads to grills, rolls and burgers making it to the menu. All in all, this is one of those rare bars that caters to all sorts of moods.

Good For | Whiskey cocktails; Price for two | INR 1800

Where | Monkey Bar, Plot No 11, Pocket C 6 & 7, Commercial Complex Vasant Kunj {Adjacent to Mini Cooper Showroom}; Contact | 011 41095155. Find their Facebook Page here.

Smokey's BBQ & Grill | A slow decline and short life-span seems to have been the norm for most bars in GK. But if you've had more than a good night at Smokehouse Grill, Smokey's BBQ & Grill has taken its place as a more casual, diner-esque bar, with an in-house DJ playing through the week. The cool factor? The Smokey's Best Price Promise - if you find a better wine at a better price at a nearby bar, consider the bottle on them. Good enough reason for us to go!

Good For | Wines at purchase price & hot dog sliders; Price for Two | INR 3000

Where | Smokey's BBQ & Grill, Plot 2, VIPPS Center, Masjid Moth, GK2; Contact | 011 4143 5531. Find their Facebook Page here

Rum Bar* | One wouldn't expect to find a bar as chic as this one in the tangled and over-crowded Hauz Khas Village. Opened by the lovely Frenchmen that run The Rose Hotel in HKC, Rum bar is a bright colored concoction of rum, music, tapas and dance. They have a drum-set, an elevated stage and Cuban dancers coming in to give lessons every now and then. While they're still waiting for their liquor license, they have had some super cool launch events in the past month as a preview of what's to come.

Good For | Rum Punch; Price for Two | INR 1000

Where | Rum Bar, 26 Hauz Khas Village, First Floor; Contact |  9818934118. Find their Facebook Page here

Chatterhouse | At Nehru Place's food & drinks hub, Epicuria, Chatterhouse is a typical pub with a no-fuss atmosphere, and both indoor and outdoor seating. They focus on 'pub-grub,' which includes European and Indian dishes, on an all-day dining menu and fun drinks like Bubblegum Martinis and Sharabi Nariyal. We'd go here for an evening full of drinks and experimental cocktails, comfort food and retro music.

Good For | Jello Shots and the extremely reasonable 'Pub Lunch' at INR 499 for Two; Price for Two | INR 1500

Where | The Chatterhouse, Epicuria, Nehru Place; Contact | 011-26237777/ 011- 26238888. Find their Facebook Page here

Soi 7 | What makes this not just another brewery in Gurgaon? For starters, the boxing ring with live "shows" every Thursday and Friday, 9 pm onwards. There's also the option of sitting outdoors for a view of Cybercity, or indoors where one can enjoy the live band that plays everyday. The combination of a laid-back crowd looking to unwind post work, palatable Thai food, and a pitcher of their well crafted beer, Soi 7 promises a lovely evening.

Good For | House beers, particularly the Cobra punch. Must try their cheese wontons; Price for Two | INR 2500+

Where | Soi 7 Pub and Brewery, 205 - 208 & 209 A, Cyber Hub, DLF Cyber City, Gurgaon; Contact | +91 8130522727. Find their Facebook Page here.

 

*Rum Bar has closed down temporarily.