Jan 19, 2023
By: BI India BureauLaunched in 2019, 30 Best Bars India is an initiative to “celebrate the country’s best bars and bartenders”. Its yearly rankings and awards are exclusively based on a poll of over 250 bar enthusiasts, beverage influencers, and industry experts.
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The platform released its list of best bars in India for 2022, and Sidecar in Delhi jumped a spot from 2021 to rank first. Here’s a look at the top 10 bars from across the nation:
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Located in Greater Kailash II in Delhi, Sidecar is an artisanal cocktail bar that holds the honor of being the first bar in India to grab a spot (47th) in the World’s 50 Best Bars list 2021. Sidecar crafts delicious cocktails using in-house flavour extractions, which also won it the award for the Best Cocktail Menu.
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Ranked second on the list, Copitas offers a unique combination of luxury and whimsy and Bengaluru gathers here to enjoy both, peaceful sundowners and bustling late-night parties. It also ranked 44th on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022.
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Ranked 16th on the Best Bars 2021 list, HOME jumped a fair number of spots to arrive at number three on the Best Bars 2022 list. Santanu Chanda of HOME also won the Best Bartender award. It’s located in Vasant Kunj.
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The third New Delhi bar to make it to the top 10, Lair is a cocktail bar known for its immersive mixology. Located in Vasant Vihar, Lair reminds you of a modern speakeasy. The eccentric presentations of drinks certainly add to its charm.
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The winner of Best Bar Design, The Bombay Canteen ranked 5th on the list. Located in Lower Parel, the bar is known for reimagining classic cocktails with Indian roots. Each edition of the bar menu attempts to bring the untold stories of Mumbai to life.
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Fusion food, or drinks, have long dominated culinary offerings at restaurants. But Comorin certainly offers a new twist to the traditional tale. From its seasonal drinks like gin-based Jamun ale to its exquisite decor, Comorin, at Two Horizon Centre, is perfect for a Friday night.
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Americano, in Kala Ghoda, is a firm believer in reducing wastage and not limiting itself to the available liqueurs and bitters in the market. From a slushy machine churning out a Frozen Smoked chilli Margarita to house-made liqueurs, Americano certainly knows how to elevate a drink.
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Positioning itself as a stylish, intimate hideaway, Slink & Bardot offers “history and adventure – in a glass” by providing the “coolest and most delicious cocktails from various eras”. Situated in Worli, Slink & Bardot offers cocktails that use seasonal ingredients and are perfect to drink the night away.
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No list of Indian bars can be complete without Goa’s bars. Located in Vagator, Hideaway started 4 years ago to combine the indie music scene with a fine dining experience. Even today, it continues “to be fun and brash”, steering clear of the traditional framework of hospitality.
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Open Tuesday-Sunday, The Living Room by Masque offers “fuss-free, seriously good cocktails”. Currently ranked 21 on the list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, the bar relies heavily on its technique to ensure that cocktails arrive layered in flavours that are unexpected but distinct and exceptionally balanced.
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The tiny bar that packs a punch — Miguel’s from Goa also made it to the list, along with Mumbai’s Bastian and Jaipur’s Bar Palladio. Elephant & Co. in Pune won the People’s Choice Best Bar. 30 Best Bars is an initiative by Tulleeho and MW magazine.
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