The Tatler Best 20 Bars in India 2026

Located on the 34th floor of the Four Seasons Mumbai, Aer is a rooftop destination that offers two distinctive experiences: The Yacht Club, which serves a menu themed around flight and exploration, and the Gimlet Garden. Framed by skyline vistas, impeccable service and a buzz that lingers until midnight, Aer might just be Mumbai’s ultimate high-altitude retreat.

Set within Mumbai’s acclaimed Americano, this bar serves a programme built around house-made extracts, infusions and tinctures that reflects the “less is more” approach of the kitchen. Soaring ceilings, fluted glass windows and warm lighting frame a bar that effortlessly draws a crowd, where mixologists interpret classic cocktails with creativity and precision. First-timers will likely be drawn in by the drinks and end up staying for the vibe, which carries the electric, cosmopolitan pulse of Mumbai.

Set within Goa’s coastal district, Bar Outrigger is the region’s destination for rum-led pours. The bar is designed with the allure of a sailor’s secret hideout in mind, where soft teal accents, wooden fixtures and bay windows framing the Arabian Sea beyond make up the interior. The menu is an ode to sugarcane spirits, showcasing a curated selection of over one hundred global rums, tiki punches, daiquiris and inventive cocktails. 

Led by the acclaimed Arijit Bose and manned by bartenders Rohil Kalita and Pritish Dakhode, Bar Spirit Forward is a vibrant space that trades fuss for a focus on drinks and the people across the counter. Centred around three bartenders at three distinct stations, the room buzzes with the precision of a laboratory and the electric energy of a rock ‘n’ roll lounge. 

Unpretentious, intimate and just friendly enough to justify frequent visits, Barbet & Pals is one of South Delhi’s most popular watering holes. This 38-seater bar is a speakeasy that does away with the frills and secrecy for something decidedly grounded. Named after the native barbets that call the surrounding hills home, the bar carries a subtle, avian theme. From bird-embossed stirrers to lapel pins adorning uniforms. 

Co-founded by craft beer pioneer Nakul Bhonsle and acclaimed mixologist Pankaj Balachandran, Boilermaker pairs the grungy vibe of steel and industrial lighting with the warmth of a back garden house party. The menu nods to the timeless beer-and-a-shot ritual, where fresh draughts and Goan smoked-malt Scotch ales are poured alongside sharp, composed cocktails. 

The bar at The Bombay Canteen serves a menu that celebrates India’s vast culinary history. Led by head of beverage innovations Prantik Haldar, cocktails reinterpret global classics with indigenous produce, house-made infusions, regional spices, herbs and home-grown spirits. Vibrant, nostalgic and perpetually packed, the bar remains the undeniable pulse of South Mumbai’s drinking scene. 

Co-founded by industry veteran Mayur Marne, Cobbler & Crew is an eco-conscious cocktail bar where nothing goes to waste. Led by senior bartender Ayush Nair, the bar transforms upcycled ingredients, fruit peels and local botanicals into narrative-driven pours that are thoughtful and inventive. The space, framed by polished brass accents, rice velvet seating and a soulful vinyl soundtrack, creates a sleek, inviting atmosphere.

Comorin is a casual all-day dining restaurant that boasts a dedicated cocktail lab. Led by head of bars Warun Sharma, the bar serves a thoughtful programme of craft cocktails, house-made liqueurs and sous-vide infusions. Also available is a selection of playful yet comforting plates designed to pair with the cocktails.

Founded by Taj-trained hospitality veterans Karan Khilnani, Anuj Solaknki and Karan Kulkarni, Elephant & Co has evolved from Pune’s liveliest joint to a multi-city establishment, with hubs in Kalyani Nagar, Baner and Goa. This pet-friendly, high-energy neighbourhood bar strikes a balance between community warmth and inventive mixology. Lively and vibrant from noon till midnight, Elephant & Co is where casual drop-ins turn into lifelong regulars. 

Hideaway is one of Goa’s liveliest cocktail bars, where music and inventive mixology come together to create an unforgettable beachside experience. The action spreads across a horseshoe bar, an indoor dining room and an outdoor area that regularly transforms into an intimate gig space. The menu is playful and built on local ingredients, modern techniques and a touch of international influence. 

Lair is a high-concept speakeasy in South Delhi, led by place, identity and terroir. The team takes an ambitious approach to mixology, in which cocktails are crafted with ingredients representative of India’s diverse regions, while each pour nods to the varying histories and heritages of its locales. The experience is intimate, the space sleek, and it carries just enough mystique to draw you in and make you stay.

Nutcase Etc is where technical mixology turns into something more approachable, yet no less sophisticated. Living up to its cheeky moniker, the menu shifts wildly from familiar flavours and formats to something entirely unexpected. Each pour is an exploration of flavour and presentation that pushes the boundaries of cocktail making. 

O Pedro pays homage to the culinary traditions and laid-back spirit of Goa with a beverage programme led by tropical pours, rum-based libations and kokum-infused specialities. Lively, soulful and always bustling, O Pedro delivers a slice of the Goan coast to metropolitan Mumbai.

From the team behind Masque restaurant comes Paradox, a bold cocktail lounge that serves a rule-breaking menu of technical pours and drinks on tap. Designed as a moody fusion of Art Deco elegance and whimsical fantasy, the space offers an intimate, burlwood-led cocktail lounge. At the helm, head mixologist Ankush Gamre crafts a daring series of pours that challenge palates with inventive creations, matched by Varun Totlani’s boundary-pushing food line-up.

PCO, short for Pass Code Only, offers an experience that feels both clandestine and luxurious. The multi-level space is moody and clad in dark wood, plush leather and vintage accents that bring to mind Prohibition-era drinking dens. Access requires a secret passcode, which is updated regularly for its regular patrons, and opens to a world-class programme of cocktails that balances classic recipes with conceptual pours. 

Founded by celebrated bartenders Yangdup Lama and Minakshi Singh, Sidecar is an intimate cocktail lounge boasting a sophisticated beverage programme. The duo-concept space features a bookstore on the ground floor and a bar on the first floor, packed with exciting ingredients and a comprehensive stock of liqueurs, spirits and mixers. Inventive pours lead the menu, spanning classics, seasonal specialities and craft cocktails. 

Soka, brought to life by chef Sombir Choudhary and bartender Avinash Kapoli, is a compact neighbourhood joint that pairs community warmth with the electric energy of a bar. Since its opening, Soka has grown from a space that locals would return to often to a platform for international collaborations, where bartenders, chefs and artists worldwide gather to share ideas and flavours. The menu is guided by familiar flavours, regional references and everyday rituals reworked through thoughtful pours and inventive plates that are playful and approachable. 

Housed within Raffles Jaipur, Writers Bar is an opulent tribute to literary tradition and regal elegance. The space is anchored by soaring arches, hand-carved stone lattices and towering bookshelves lined with classics that invoke Rajasthani heritage. The cocktail menu follows a farm-to-glass principle that incorporates homegrown herbs and freshly ground spices in each pour. Beyond the inventive cocktail menu, Writers Bar also boasts a collection of wines in its hidden cellar.