In Bangalore, you are never too far away from a good drink. The buzzing bars of Bangalore are stirring up some trippy and intriguing tipples, making them a perfect spot for get-togethers, dates, and even work meetings. From old quintessential pubs to swanky and fashionable cocktail bars, Bangalore has it all. Here are the best cocktail bars in Bangalore:
If you’re a fan of the Surrealist painter Salvador Dali or an art enthusiast in general, then this is your spot. Inspired by the painter and his muse, Gala, the bar boasts quirky interiors bathed in dim red light, out-there sexual motifs, giant rotating heads and eyes peering at you from all corners.
Their cocktail menu is as intriguing as their interiors, with up to fifty options. Most cocktail names and their ingredients allude to Dali’s work. Phone sex, a must-try from their selection, is an excellent concoction of mole bitters, gin, strawberry and caramel. Other options to go for are bomb fuckn sour (tequila, grapefruit, egg white), one for fluffy (gin, cucumber, mint, citrus), and midnight snack (tequila, guava, jalapeno, saline). Apart from a selection of mezcals and tequilas, there is a separate section for classics, including palmetto and boulevardier.
It also offers Burmese-inspired bites along with fried, grilled, stir-fried options. Accompaniments like pickled tealeaf house crackers and mad smoked chicken with tamarind and soy dressing goes perfectly with their unapologetic drinks.
Address: 1, The Museum, Museum Road, Bangalore
Price for two: INR 3,000
Designed by Goan artist Siddharth Kerkar, this bar is an intimate 38-seater space featuring earthy decor and unique Indian elements, like a wall covered with clay diyas and a copper installation as a centrepiece.
With a succinct menu, the pub pays tribute to old Bangalore in its own way. Essentials from a Karnataka kitchen, like coconut, banana, yellaki or jasmine, find their way to your glass.
Black Jasmine, a floral concoction of gin, carbonated jasmine cordial, and a splash of vermouth, is a must-try from their pithy cocktail menu. Lady kutty (whisky, coconut soda), pi pi martini (Hapusa gin, jujube pickled brine, dry vermouth) and black Cadillac (a blend of aged rums) are some drinks that you shouldn't miss. From the food menu, try tempura avocado taco with mango and chilli salsa and soka fried chicken with raw mango chimichurri.
Address: No.210, A cross, 1st Main Rd, 2nd stage Indiranagar, Stage 2, Domlur, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560071
Price for two: INR 1,000
At Lavelle Road in Bangalore is Spirit Forward. The earthy, clean, and simple interiors of the cocktail bar allow you to place your focus on their well conceptualised bar menu curated by informed bartenders, using high-quality ingredients.With this cocktail-forward approach, food takes a backseat at Spirit Forward. Consider their cocktails as starters, main courses, and desserts, too.
A standout cocktail from their menu is mil.f & cookies, made with chocolate cookies soaked in milk, strained and blended with whisky. It is topped with red apple and falernum syrup to create a smoky-sweet sensation.
Rage against the coffee machine (old rum, coconut and puffed rice orgeat, cold brew, cardamom), spiritual spritzer (vodka, campari, passion fruit and pandan spirit , jasmine and prosecco), and tutti frutti negroni (gin, campari, tutti fruity cordial, dry vermouth) are some other cocktails that you must try from their menu.
Address: Ground Floor, Hotel Southern Star, 40/2, Lavelle Road, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru
Price for two: INR 3,000 (including alcohol)
Olive Group’s final venture in Bangalore is a crafted cocktail bar called Siren. With interiors that are distinctly Chinese in its aesthetic, Siren is a dimly lit cocktail bar with bright red furnishing coupled with a fleet of plants giving it a chic tropical vibe too.
The cocktails are inspired by Chinese festivals and celebrations. Each cocktail tells a story and mixed with them is a dollop of history and culture. Must-tries include Peking duck, a sweet and savoury drink prepared with duck fat-washed whisky, plum juice, Falernum liqueur and hoisin sauce, and mooncake, inspired by the traditional delicacy enjoyed during the Lunar New Year. The drink is made with date rum, Lapsang rosso vermouth and Campari.
Another drink that makes an interesting choice and represents the cultural vibrance of China is Remember Jie. Inspired by Tomb Sweeping Day, an occasion when Chinese people pay respect to their ancestors, the drink features flowers associated with the festival, such as Chrysanthemum.
Their menu features all the favourite Chinese delicacies, from noodles to spring rolls to Cheung fun. There’s ample to choose from, and each pair perfectly with the cocktails.
Address: 2nd Floor, 25 /4, Lavelle Road, D' Souza Layout, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001
Price for two: INR 2,000
The Botany Brew and Kitchen offers a panoramic view of the Bangalore skyline, making it a perfect spot to enjoy drinks with friends while immersing yourself in the city's beauty.
The drinks menu is a mix of classics and signature cocktails. The spice and kakuts cocktail, with its Mexican flavour, is a concoction of tequila, guava chilli, jalapeno brine, and lime juice. Their shooters with interesting names are must-tries. Butterfly effect (vodka, butterscotch, and pineapple) and monkey business (dark rum and banana syrup) are standouts from their drinks menu's shooter section. The food menu is also extensive, from sushi and North Indian options to Italian bites.
Address: 18th Floor, SKAV Seethalakshmi, Kasturba Rd, opposite Vishveshwariah Museum, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001
Price for two: INR 2,700
