entertainment

Nightlife in New Dehli (Bars, Clubs, etcc…)

Delhi has a long way to go to compete with Mumbai as the capital of Indian nightlife. In Delhi, it is notoriously difficult to obtain an alcohol licence and many of the swishest watering holes and nightclubs are in the five-star international hotels – with prices to match. Apart from these hotels, the watering holes of Delhi are concentrated around Connaught Place, with various outposts in the more prosperous southern suburbs. Wine in Delhi is expensive and frequently of indifferent quality – those who wish to drink would be well advised to stick to beer, spirits or cocktails. Although there is no minimum drinking age, the minimum purchasing age in India is 18 years. The price of a beer while out and about in Delhi can vary considerably, depending on the venue, however, averages out to approximately Rs200.

Local newspapers (Hindustan Times or Times of India) carry daily and weekly listings and information on nightlife in Delhi. City Scan, City Guide and delhidiary magazines also carry listings.

Bars : Anyone who has been to Delhi returns to tell stories about the Rodeo bar, A-Block, Connaught Place, because of the mock saddle seats at the bar and its Indian waiters dressed, quite preposterously, as cowboys. The Pegasus bar, L-Block, Connaught Place, is the most convincing attempt in Delhi to replicate an English pub. The Maurya Sheraton, Diplomatic Enclave, has a lively bar behind the lobby of the hotel, with a golfing theme, while Henri’s at the top of the Meridien Hotel, Windsor Place, offers a fine panorama of the city. The celebrated Cavalry Bar, in the Oberoi Maidan Hotel, Civil Lines, is a relic of the Raj and will appeal to those who like bars to be simple yet smart. Rick’s, situated in the Taj Mahal Hotel, 1 Mansingh Road, has recently been refurbished in a swish modernist style and offers live music to boot. In Defence Colony Market there is a new and deafeningly noisy bar above the restaurant, Gola. Vasant Vihar boasts a TGI Fridays – very popular with hip young Delhiites – and the Golden Dragon, both situated in C-Block, Market. Expresso bars are increasingly popular and can be found in many areas of the city. The Barista chain is the most widely established.

Casinos : There are no casinos in Delhi as gambling in India – except on the racecourse – is illegal.

Clubs : There are about half a dozen discos that have become regular haunts of elite Delhiites. Most are in the luxury hotels and many of them operate a couples-only policy, as well as a dress code. One of the most popular is CJ’s, at Le Meridien, Windsor Place. The recently opened RPM, above Lazeez Affaire restaurant, Shopping Centre, Malcha Marg, Chanakypuri, has a vibrant atmosphere and is popular among younger, well-heeled Delhiites. Annabelles, at the Inter-Continental, Barakhamba Avenue, Connaught Place, and Wheels, at the Ambassador, Sujan Singh Park, both have an enthusiastic following.

Live music: The Jazz Bar, at the Maurya Sheraton, Sardar Patel Marg, features a live jazz show every evening, performed by Indian musicians. The Tavern, at the Hotel Imperial, on Janpath, offers the same in its restaurant-cum-bar.

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