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Delhi is no sleeping giant when it comes to party places and these are the best of the best. The city has a thriving night life, including lounges, high energy bars, dance clubs, pubs, live music and late night eateries. You can literally dance all night long if that’s your thing. I live in Delhi and have experienced the night life at most of these party places, some several times!
If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick list of the very best party places in Delhi:
- The Blue Bar – quiet hotel bar (at Taj Palace)
- Sidecar – neighbourhood bar with live music on Saturday nights
- Chica – upscale lounge with beautiful outdoor terrace
- Misosexy – high energy bar with spectacular outdoor space & views of Qutub Minar
- Molecule Air Bar – live music (Sufi/Indian) with indoor & outdoor space
- Toy Room – late night dance club
The Best Party Places in Delhi
Keep in mind drinking at bars in Delhi can be expensive. Most alcohol is imported, and drinks range from INR 300 – 900. The least expensive drinks are domestic beer brands, such as Kingfisher and Bira 91, which are both quite good. India also produces an excellent rum called Old Monk, which will be less expensive than imported brands, but many high end bars don’t stock it.
Delhi’s Best Lounge Type Bars
Typically these bars double as restaurants during the day and turn into more of a bar/party place after dinner (around 9:00 pm).
Sidecar
Sidecar calls itself an artisanal cocktail bar and I have to agree. Cocktails are taken very seriously here, with an extensive drink menu that resembles a small coffee table book. It was listed in the World’s 50 Best Bars (2021) and is currently listed in Asia’s 50 Best Bars.
It’s a popular place with good energy and hosts live music on Saturdays. The bar itself is long with lots of seating, perfect for solos. It reminds me of a casual, but nice American bar.
On a side note, Carnatic Cafe, one of the best cafes in Delhi, is just a few shops down from Sidecar in the same market. It’s open until 10:30 pm and would make a really nice dinner spot before a few cocktails.
- Location: M Block Market, Greater Kailash II
- Hours: 1:00 pm – 1:00 am, daily
- Entry fee: none
Pass Code Only (PCO)
Like the name implies, a secret password is required to gain entry. Luckily it’s not hard to get – just make a reservation and request the code or WhatsApp PCO at +91 97111 08482.
PCO has two levels. The main floor is quiet and intimate with cozy tables for two and a bar that serves amazing signature cocktails. The lower level plays loud dance music after 9:30 pm on Friday and Saturday nights. PCO has an international menu and although I did not try their food, I have heard good things about it.
- Location: D-4, D Block Market, Vasant Vihar
- Hours: 6:00 pm – 1:00 am (Sunday to Thursday) & 6:00 pm – 4:00 am (Friday and Saturday)
- Entry fee: none
Miss Pinto
This is an upscale, comfortable restaurant that turns into a bar/cigar lounge after 9:30 pm when the music gets louder. Miss Pinto has a humidor and a good selection of imported cigars for individual sale, including Cuban Montecristos. Guests are welcome to smoke the cigars on the small but nice outdoor balcony.
The food at Miss Pinto is excellent and service was fast (for India) when I was there. Even though Bira 91 brand beer wasn’t on the drinks menu, they did have it. Bira 91 is an excellent Indian beer.
- Location: Priya Market (far end), Vasant Vihar
- Hours: 12:00 pm – 1:00 am, daily
- Entry fee: none
Lair
This is a popular casual bar, very well known for its cocktails. The mixologist that created the drinks menu is somewhat of a local celebrity. The bartenders are knowledgeable and happy to discuss different cocktails and make recommendations.
The decor is dark and relaxed and they play a lot of electronic synthesized music at a volume possible enough to carry on a conversation. The food is mostly pan-Asian and excellent. Service is also very good.
- Location: Priya Market (far end), Vasant Vihar
- Hours: 6:00 pm – 1:00 am (Monday to Friday) & 2:00 pm – 1:00 am (Saturday and Sunday)
- Entry fee: none
Chica
Chica is one of the most beautiful bars I have been to, certainly the loveliest one in Delhi. The star is the enormous outdoor courtyard, completely canopied in a covering of mature trees strung with Indian lanterns.
Tables are well spaced and along one side alcoves of cushioned seating offer a bit more privacy.
Food is known to be very good, and hookah (shisha) is available.
- Location: One Golden Mile, Bhikaji Cama Place
- Hours: 12:00 pm – 3:00 am, daily
- Entry fee: none
Dirty Good
Right next door to Chica is Dirty Good. It’s a great restaurant/bar with a lovely, treed outdoor space and terraced seating. They were playing some excellent Latin music when I was there and play mostly a mix of techno and western music on the weekends.
Like so many of Delhi’s bars, Dirty Good is a restaurant during the day and turns into more of a club after 9:00 pm when the DJ takes over. Food is international and shisha is available.
- Location: One Golden Mile, Bhikaji Cama Place
- Hours: 12:00 pm – 1:00 am (Sunday to Thursday) & 12:00 – 3:00 am (Friday and Saturday)
- Entry fee: none
Blaq-A Cocktail Affair
Blaq-a Cocktail Affair is a casually elegant bar/restaurant with excellent cocktails and food. The place gets going on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights when the DJ starts pumping out tunes after the dinner hour on the lower level. There is indoor and outdoor seating on the upstairs level.
The menu is mostly Italian but we had some excellent sushi which was recommended by the wait staff. All juice used in the cocktails is fresh pressed and the bartender was generous with his pour. These were some of the best cocktails I have had in Delhi.
- Location: Block D, Defence Colony
- Hours: 12:00 pm – 12:30 am, daily
- Entry fee: none
Dear Donna
Dear Donna opened several years ago and has been a favourite spot of Delhiites ever since. It’s a chic, upmarket party place that has a dedicated restaurant, a Victorian inspired lounge with huge leather sofas, and a lovely, treed courtyard.
There’s an extensive cocktail list and international menu with many Italian and pan-Asian dishes. Hookah (shisha) service is available.
- Location: Shaheed Jeet Singh Marg, Qutab Institutional Area
- Hours: 12:00 pm – 1:00 am, daily
- Entry fee: none
Younion
Younion is a quirky bar with a fun, casual energy. The decor is funky with pink leather couches, neon signs and animated flower lamps. Music is always excellent, an energetic mix of reggae-ton, rap and dance remixes.
Younion is known for cocktails, but neither of my companions were overly impressed with theirs. While the presentation was interesting (one came in stiletto coated with rainbow candy), the taste was lacklustre. It’s still a great bar, but maybe stick to beer or wine.
- Location: Shaheed Jeet Singh Marg, Qutab Institutional Area
- Hours: 11:00 am – 1:00 am (Monday to Wednesday) & 11:00 am – 3:00 am (Thursday to Sunday)
- Entry fee: none
Master of Malts
If you are a whisky enthusiast, you will love this place. The liquor menu literally has pages of single malts (international and domestic), Irish whisky, bourbon and blended whisky. And, if you enjoy a little tipple before dinner, there is a daily happy hour from 1:00 to 7:00 pm. It’s a casual bar, resembling a large pub.
After dinner a DJ takes over the music and the dance floor fills up. While I was there they were playing a mix of rock, disco and pop remixes. The menu is international with lots of Indian options and pizza.
- Location: Scindia House, Connaught Place
- Hours: 1:00 pm – 12:00 am (Sunday to Wednesday) & 1:00 pm – 1:00 am (Thursday to Saturday)
- Entry fee: none
Delhi’s Best Hotel Bars
Cirrus 9 – The Oberoi, New Delhi
As soon as you see the panoramic roof top views from Cirrus 9 you will understand why Delhi is called one of the greenest capital cities in the world. Long favoured as one of the city’s best outdoor bars, the views are spectacular, taking in most of New Delhi and one of Delhi’s UNESCO sites, Humayun’s Tomb.
The patio is vast with mist fans in summer and heaters in the winter. For those that wish to avoid the weather, there is a gracious and comfortable indoor lounge. Drinks are on the expensive side, but they are served with bar snacks and service is impeccable.
- Location: Dr Zakir Hussain Marg, Golf Links
- Hours: 5:00 pm – 1:00 am, daily
- Entry fee: none
The Library – Leela Palace
You would expect no less than a beautiful and elegant bar from India’s premiere luxury hotel brand, and the Library is exactly that. Filled floor to ceiling with books, you will feel like you have been transported to an English manor house in the 1920s.
This is the perfect bar for the discerning; the Library offers cigars, award winning wines, single malt whiskeys and top shelf liquor.
Not be outdone, the terrace is also spectacular with water walls, fire torches and well spaced comfortable seating. This is the perfect spot to unwind in a classically elegant setting. As to be expected from one of Delhi’s most expensive hotels, drinks are costly but they do come with gourmet bar snacks and service is excellent.
- Location: Diplomatic Enclave, Chanakyapuri
- Hours: 5:00 pm – 1:00 am (Monday to Friday) & 3:00 pm – 1:00 am (Saturday and Sunday)
- Entry fee: none
The Blue Bar – Taj Palace
The Blue Bar may be the best hotel bar in Delhi. They offer an extensive list of wine and spirits by the bottle, both domestic and international, with an almost as impressive list available by the glass. Even though it’s a luxurious bar, it’s not too pretentious to list the humble (but very good) Indian Bira 91 brand beer on its alcohol list.
But the creme to de la creme is their house mixologist, Joel Scholtens Lindsay, who was named Mixologist of the Year by Times Food and Nightlife Awards 2021. His drinks have been described as liquid symphonies and cocktail fantasies.
- Location: Diplomatic Enclave, Chanakyapuri
- Hours: 5:00 pm – 12:45 am, daily
- Entry fee: none
Delhi’s Best High Energy Bars
Misosexy
This is arguably Delhi’s best rooftop bar. Located in the hub of upper cut boutiques and restaurants on Kalka Das Marg, it’s tucked away in the back of the Ambawatta One complex.
Misosexy is spread over two levels with the restaurant (pan-Asian menu) located on the second floor and rooftop bar on the top level. There is an elevator for those who do not wish to climb the 3 or 4 flights to the roof (I stopped counting after 2).
The outdoor bar is large, taking up the entire rooftop with spectacular views of one of Delhi’s UNESCO world heritage sites, the Qutub Minar which is lit up until 10:00 pm every night.
The music is a catchy mix of pop and remix party music giving the bar a fun energy. If you come in a group, there is plenty of comfortable seating around large coffee tables. For those that prefer to stand, there is a huge square bar. Hookah (shisha) service is available.
- Location: Ambawatta One, Kalka Das Marg, Mehrauli
- Hours: 12:00 pm – 1:00 am, daily
- Entry fee: none
Summer House Cafe
A very popular cafe and bar/club that has two levels and a large rooftop terrace. The music is usually too loud to have a proper conversation, but most people don’t come here to talk. This is a mix and mingle, dance the night away place and it can get very busy after the dinner hour. The restaurant has an international menu and the food is good.
Summer House Cafe hosts different events almost every day of the week. Check their website for an up to date schedule of events:
https://www.summerhousecafe.in/gigs-events
- Location: Aurobindo Place Market, Hauz Khas
- Hours: 12:00 pm – 1:00 am, daily
- Entry fee: none
Auro Kitchen & Bar
Another high energy bar from the same group that runs Summer House Cafe, this is the slightly upscale version. The rooftop terrace is fantastic, huge with ample seating and an outdoor bar made from an old shipping container.
Auro hosts many events, including comedy acts and some of the city’s best techno dance parties. Check their FB page for upcoming events and information on tickets.
The cocktail and liquor selection is extensive, though a bit more expensive than Summer House Cafe. Happy hour is until 8:00 pm but there is a limit on the number of happy hour drinks per person.
During the day Auro functions primarily as a restaurant with an international menu that has many pan-Asian options.
- Location: Aurobindo Place Market, Hauz Khas
- Hours: 12:00 pm – 1:00 am, daily
- Entry fee: varies, depending on event (tickets must be purchase in advance)
Bergamo
One of Delhi’s premiere clubs, Bergamo has beautiful Italian renaissance style decor and a European inspired menu. They open for lunch at noon, but after the dinner hour is over (about 10 pm), things really liven up and it becomes one of the most popular clubs in the city.
My favourite thing about Bergamo is the outdoor terrace. It’s one of the best in Delhi.
- Location: The Grand Hotel, Vasant Kunj
- Hours: 12:00 pm – 2:00 am (Sunday to Thursday) & 12:00 pm – 4:00 am (Friday and Saturday)
- Entry fee: none
Ophelia
This is one of the most beautiful bars in Delhi. In fact, it is so lovely, even the bathroom is a favourite Instagram spot. Besides the stunning decor, they offer a huge selection of liquor and a Turkish/Italian influenced menu planned by their Turkish chef.
Every Friday Ophelia plays Indian Sufi music followed by Bollywood music. On other nights the music is a mix of techno, hip hop and commercial dance tunes.
Private outdoor cabanas can be reserved (with their own outdoor AC units) but they have a minimum spending charge that varies depending on the size of cabana.
Ophelia is located on the Ashok Hotel grounds, not in the Ashok Hotel. If you are facing the front of the hotel, Ophelia is to the far left, down the drive.
- Location: Ashok Hotel grounds, Diplomatic Enclave
- Hours: 12:00 pm – 3:00 am, daily
- Entry fee: none
Delhi’s Best Late Night Dance Clubs
These clubs all have entry fees but most allow ladies in for free and offer a reduced fee for couples. Delhi has a policy of restricting entry to single men, referred to as “stags” in these clubs by charging a steep entry fee. Because of this, single men often wait by the club entrance to find women who will agree to enter with them and pretend they are couple.
Many of these dance clubs have ladies nights with discounted or free drinks for females.
Since the pandemic, most of the dance clubs are open on the weekends only but the hours and days keep changing. It’s best to check ahead on their Instagram or FB pages.
WHITE
The Delhi location of the famous Dubai club recently re-opened its doors. WHITE is an ultra modern, opulent club, so dress your best. Many evenings host ticketed events and you can check their FB and Instagram pages for up to date event information.
There’s an outdoor patio and restaurant which is open every day of the week 1:00 pm to 1:00 am, but the dance club is open Friday and Saturday nights only, as well as the occasional special event on Wednesday.
- Location: Samrat Hotel, Chanakyapuri
- Hours: 10:00 pm – 4:00 am (Friday and Saturday)
- Entry fee: yes
Club BW
One of the most established dance clubs in Delhi, this is a favourite with locals. Although it’s past its prime as the premiere dance club in the city, it’s still very popular. This was actually the first club I ever went to in Delhi.
Tables can be reserved in advance with a minimum spending charge. The music is a mix of electronic, hip hop and Bollywood, and the club gets especially busy on weekends.
- Location: Hotel Suryaa, New Friends Colony
- Hours: 9:00 pm – 4:00 am (Tuesday to Sunday)
- Entry fee: yes
Privee
Privee is another long established dance club that regularly hosts events featuring Bollywood, hip hop and electronic dance music. Located in one of Delhi’s best 5 star hotels, the Shangri-La Eros, it is a luxurious club catering to the well-heeled of Delhi society.
Tables and the VIP lounge must be reserved in advance and have minimum spending requirements.
- Location: Shangri-La Eros Hotel, Connaught Place
- Hours: 10:00 pm – 3:00 am (Tuesday to Sunday)
- Entry fee: yes
SoHo
SoHo is one of the most popular late night dance clubs in the city. It has a state of the art sound system and serves fusion cocktails and gourmet food. Many events are ticketed and reservations or tickets are required in advance, so check ahead on their FB or Instagram page.
The music is a mix of techno, Bollywood and hip-hop, depending on the DJ.
- Location: The Ashok Hotel, Chanakyapuri
- Hours: 10:00 pm – 4:00 am (Wednesday to Sunday)
- Entry fee: yes
Delhi’s Best Live Music Bars
The Piano Man Jazz Club
There are two south Delhi locations of this well established jazz bar. Both have live music every day of the week, and the Safdarjung location has lunch time sessions starting at 1:30 pm. The music ranges from blues, jazz and swing to rock and roll. Check their website for an updated calendar of performances:
The Safdarjung location is smaller and more intimate. Food is a mix of Asian, Indian and wood-fired pizza. There’s a third location in Gurugram also.
- Locations: Humayunpur Road, Safdarjung and Eldeco Centre, Malviya Nagar
- Hours: 1:00 pm – 1:00 am, daily
- Entry fee: INR 300-500 for evening performances
Unplugged Courtyard
This bar has live Indian music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening. During the rest of the week a DJ plays Bollywood and dance music.
The outdoor courtyard is one of the best in Delhi, large and beautifully illuminated at night. There’s an indoor space also, but it’s much smaller. The courtyard is really what makes this such a great bar.
There’s a wood burning pizza oven behind the bar in the courtyard and the menu also features a lot of Turkish and Asian dishes.
- Location: Block L, Connaught Place
- Hours: 12:30 pm – 1:00 am, daily
- Entry fee: none
Molecule Air Bar
One of Delhi’s best bars that is fast becoming a favourite for live music. They often host live Indian music on Thursday and Friday nights on the main level. Check their FB or Instagram to see who’s playing and when ladies night is. This is one of my personal favourites.
There’s also a large and very nice rooftop terrace with a DJ. The menu is international with a lot of pan-Asian, Indian and Italian options. Hookah (shisha) is available.
- Location: Sri Aurobindo Marg, Block A, Green Park (above the Mercedes dealership)
- Hours: 12:00 pm – 1:00 am, daily
- Entry fee: none (special acts do charge an admission, check ahead)
Imperfecto Hauz Khas Village
A popular weekend spot in Hauz Khas Village, Imperfecto often has live music. The food is international, including Indian specialties and pizza. It’s a comfortable bar with a laid back atmosphere.
The only problem with this place is that you have to climb 3 flights of stairs as there’s no elevator, but that is typical of restaurants and cafes in Hauz Khas Village.
- Location: Hauz Khas Fort Road, Hauz Khas Village
- Hours: 12:00 pm – 1:00 am, daily
- Entry fee: none
Lord of the Drinks Connaught Place
This is a long time Connaught Place favourite. There is live Indian music Sunday to Thursday 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm. After 11:00 pm a DJ takes over with electronic dance and Bollywood music. Lord of the Drinks is a franchise and there are several locations throughout Delhi, but the one in Connaught Place is massive.
Drinks are reasonably priced and you can get an even better deal on a bucket of 6 beers. It’s on the 3rd floor with no elevator, so not great for anyone with mobility issues.
- Location: Block G, Connaught Place
- Hours: 12:00 pm – 1:00 am, daily
- Entry fee: none
Farzi Cafe
Farzi Cafe is really more known as a restaurant (there are locations across India and the Middle East) but on Thursday they have live music, usually Indian but sometimes it’s mixed.
Although this location is very central in Connaught Place, the entrance is easy to miss because it is through the Damilno shop at E-38/39. It’s up 3 flights of stairs but there is an elevator.
The food is modern Indian bistro and drinks are reasonably priced.
- Location: Block E, Connaught Place
- Hours: 12:00 pm – 1:00 am, daily
- Entry fee: none
Delhi’s Best Games/Sports Bars
Monkey Bar
During the day Monkey Bar is more gastro-pub than bar (they have excellent pan-Asian food), but after dinner the music gets much louder and it becomes one of the neighbourhood hot spots.
It’s also one of the few bars in Delhi that has foosball and a pool table. Even though it’s just one pool table, it’s still a rare find in the city.
The resto-bar has gained notoriety for its unique architecture, a giant glass pyramid. Do not confuse Monkey Bar with Barbeque Nation, which is just down the street and built under a similar, but smaller glass pyramid.
- Location: Sector C, Vasant Vihar
- Hours: 1:00 pm – 11:30 pm, daily
- Entry fee: none
Local
This cavernous bar is a great place to watch a live cricket or sports match, which are displayed on massive wrap around screens located on the main level, guaranteeing a view from just about every seat.
The food is international including pizza, which seems to feature on just about every restaurant/bar menu.
- Location: KG Marg, Connaught Place
- Hours: 11:00 am – 1:00 am, daily
- Entry fee: none
Delhi’s Best LGBQT Bars
At the moment, the LGBQT scene is not very vibrant in Delhi. The long time favourite club Kitty Su closed during the pandemic and has not re-opened, though Kitty Su sometimes hosts events.
Depot 48
Well known to be LGBQT friendly, Depot 48 is one of Delhi’s happiest bars. Every Thursday is Pink Thursday with an all day happy hour on the terrace. During the rest of the week happy hour is 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm.
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday there is live music, ranging from Sufi to Bollywood to rock. Once a month Depot 48 hosts a drag show (date is not fixed so call ahead to inquire or check their Instagram account). The menu is continental with many Mexican options.
- Location: M Block Market, Greater Kailash II
- Hours: 12:00 pm – 1:00 am, daily
- Entry fee: none
Delhi’s Best Comedy Clubs
Happy High
This intimate comedy club has a loyal following. Centrally located in south Delhi, they host a number of stand up acts as well as open mic nights.
Shows are about 2 hours long, but drinks and food are not available (Happy High doesn’t have a liquor or food license). However, there are many food and drink options in the immediate area, including the same building.
Happy High is on the 5th floor and while there is an elevator, it is frequently out of service. Anyone with mobility issues may want to consider this. For upcoming shows, check their calendar here:
https://linktr.ee/happyhighcomedyclub
- Location: 119, 5th Floor, Sishan House, Shahpur Jat
- Hours: 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm (Monday to Friday) & 2:00 pm – 11:00 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
- Entry fee: INR 199 – 499
The Best Places to Party in Aerocity
Sometimes referred to as Delhi’s Sin City, Aerocity is the shopping, dining and luxury hotel hub next to the Indira Gandhi International Airport. If you are staying at one of Delhi’s Aerocity hotels, there are some great options for a night out.
Juniper (Specialty Bar)
Juniper is India’s first gin bar. It serves 35 different gin and tonic fusions and has a 50 page long cocktail menu. It’s a quiet lounge located in the luxury Andaz Hotel.
- Location: Andaz Hotel, Aerocity
- Hours: 11:00 am – 1:00 am, daily
- Entry fee: none
Underdoggs (Sports Bar)
A popular pub-style sports bar featuring craft beer, this is a great spot to watch a sports match and eat nachos and wings. There’s plenty of indoor and outdoor seating with television screens everywhere.
- Location: Worldmark 2, Aerocity
- Hours: 12:00 pm – 1:00 am, daily
- Entry fee: none
LIV. (Live Music)
Liv. is one of the most popular restaurants and bars in Aerocity. It often hosts live music on weekends (usually acoustic) as well as DJ dance nights. Check their FB or Instagram page for up to date information.
For great views of the dance floor and stage, take a seat upstairs on the mezzanine level.
- Location: Worldmark 1 (Lower Ground Floor), Aerocity
- Hours: 12:00 pm – 1:00 am, daily
- Entry fee: none
Toy Room (Late Night Dance Club)
This is one of the hottest clubs in the greater Delhi area, and part of the international chain of Toy Room clubs. It’s so popular, Delhiites make the trip to Aerocity to party here. It’s an exclusive and stylish club, where people go to be seen as well as dance the night away.
Toy Room regularly hosts themed nights, such as Bollywood, Brazilian, Funk and Retro Nights.
- Location: Aloft Hotel, Aerocity
- Hours: 10:30 pm – 3:30 am (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday)
- Entry fee: yes
The Best Places to Party in Gurugram
Gurugram has a couple of notable entertainment hubs, which are very convenient if you are staying in the area or by the airport and don’t want to go all the way into Delhi.
CyberHub
CyberHub is a massive, purpose-built entertainment and retail courtyard within Cyber City, which is home to many IT and Fortune 500 companies.
There are numerous dining and drinking options, some of which host ladies nights (ladies drink free) and 2 for 1 drinks on certain nights. Generally the restaurant/bars open in the early afternoon and close between 12:00 am to 3:00 am (Soi7 is open the latest). Some of the best bars in CyberHub are:
- Soi7
- The Social
- Quaff Brewing Co.
- Drunken Botanist
- Chili’s
Sector 29
Sector 29 is another hub filled with cafes, restaurants, breweries and bars. They are mostly located on or very close to Main Street and are generally open in the early afternoon until 1:00 or 2:00 am. Some of the most popular and best bars in Sector 29 are:
- Walking Street by Soi7
- Molecule Air Bar
- Downtown
- Open Tap Sector 29
- The Distillery
Horizon Centre
Horizon Centre is another popular commercial and entertainment hub, located in DLF Phase 5, Sector 43. The best bars in Horizon Centre are:
- Whisky Samba
- Town Hall
Delhi’s Best Pool Parties
For about 2 months every summer (May and June) before the monsoon starts, there are pool parties every weekend. These are private events, organized by event planners and generally promoted through social media and word of mouth.
There is always a guest list, so if you are lucky enough to find one, make sure you get your name on the list; they fill up fast.
Sainik Farms and Chattarpur Farms are popular venues as well as hotels by the airport.
Delhi’s Best Late Night Eateries
Most late night eateries close around midnight but there are a few that stay open much later.
As well as these eateries, street food stalls are set up in certain areas late at night. It’s fine to eat from these stalls if you follow some guidelines about how to safely eat street food in Delhi.
Mukesh Dhaba
This is a very casual, highway restaurant that never closes. They serve simple dhaba style food, such as paranthas, samosas, chai and noodles. You won’t find any Michelin star quality food here, but it’s decent and one of the few places open all night.
I recommend sticking to veg food unless you are there when it’s very busy and there is fast turn over. Mukesh Dhaba is located right on National Highway 48, directly beside Cyber City.
- Location: NH48, beside Cyber City, Gurugram
- Hours: 24/7
Late Night Cafe
This late night eatery has no indoor seating but there are a few tables set up outside. It’s centrally located in south Delhi near Haus Khas and AIIMS hospital.
They serve simple food like paranthas, fried rice and noodles and get a lot of students and medical staff from the nearby hospital.
- Location: F-11/3, Guatam Nagar
- Hours: 6:00 pm – 6:00 am, daily
Horn Please Resto Cafe
Horn Please Resto Cafe used to be open 24/7 but since the pandemic it has reduced its hours and now closes at 3:00 am. It’s a reliable spot to get Indian and Chinese (Desi Chinese, that is – India’s version of Chinese food) late at night in south Delhi.
- Location: D-616, Block D, Chittaranjan Park
- Hours: 11:30 am – 3:00 am, daily
Cafe Resto
This is the in-house cafe of the Jaypee Hotel chain and there are two locations in Delhi. Because the cafes are located in Jaypee Hotels which are 5 star properties, prices will be higher. The menu is international.
- Locations: Jaypee Vasant Continental Hotel, Vasant Vihar & Jaypee Siddharth Hotel, Rajendra Place
- Hours: 24/7
Update on Closing Times
The Delhi government recently changed its policy allowing all pubs and restaurants which serve alcohol to stay open until 3:00 am. This does not apply to late night dance clubs, which are permitted to stay open until 4:00 or 5:00 am.
The Drinking Age in Delhi
The legal drinking age in Delhi and the suburbs of Noida and Gurugram (both are in different states) is 21 years old.
The drinking age is not the same across the country, it ranges from 18 to 25, so keep this in mind if you visit other states in India.
Is Delhi Safe at Night?
It is not safe to roam around alone after dark in Delhi, particularly after midnight. Use an app based taxi service like Uber or Ola, even for short rides, and verify the plate number matches the ride you ordered. Do not flag taxis or use auto rickshaws off the street, especially if alone.
Residential neighbourhoods in Delhi are gated and most gates are locked after dark. If you are staying in one of these neighbourhoods be sure to verify which gates will be open late at night because your driver may not know. If you are staying in a large hotel it is probably on a main street and not in a gated area.
Dry Days
Dry days are days when the sale of alcohol is not allowed. On dry days alcohol is not available in liquor stores, bars, clubs and restaurants. Bars and clubs will be closed on these days:
- January 26 (Republic Day)
- August 15 (Independence Day)
- October 2 (Gandhi Jayanti)
This is a great improvement over the recent 21 dry days per year in Delhi. In the past, religious festivals and election days have also been dry. Election days are usually dry also. The good news is that Delhi is a union territory, so if it’s dry in Delhi, you can head to Gurugram (in the state of Haryana) or Noida (in the state of Uttar Pradesh) to drink. Both are basically suburbs of Delhi and have some excellent party spots.
The Wrap-Up on the Best Party Places in Delhi
Delhi has a thriving night life scene with world class bars and dance clubs. There is something for everyone and a multitude of best party places to choose from. If you’re an expat living in Delhi and looking for ways to meet people, these are the best social networks.
Don’t forget travel insurance! It’s always a good idea to carry travel insurance just in case something goes wrong. I really like and use SafetyWing
