Latest news with #ZLB23
New Indian Express
17 hours ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Bar-galore on High Spirits
India's growing cocktail culture had a lot to celebrate last week, with the announcement of Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025 in Macau. While five Indian bars made it to the prestigious list, it was Bengaluru that led the charge, with three of its establishments, SOKA at No. 28, ZLB23 at No. 31, and Bar Spirit Forward at No. 37, winning international recognition. For a city once known primarily for its pub culture, this marks a definitive turning point. Bengaluru's cocktail scene is not only maturing, it's helping redefine what an Indian bar can be: inventive, rooted, and ready for the world stage. 'It's an incredible moment,' says Guru Shivaram, director at Investorant Platforms, which backed Bar Spirit Forward from the start. 'When we first supported Arijit's vision, it felt bold and ambitious. But this recognition confirms that Bengaluru's cocktail culture is ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world.' At the heart of this shift are bars that bring together global technique with local inspiration. ZLB23, for instance, is an elegant speakeasy hidden behind the kitchen corridors of The Leela Palace Bengaluru. With its Kyoto-inspired interiors, live jazz, and theatrical drinks, it evokes the Prohibition era while remaining firmly Indian in soul. 'This recognition speaks volumes about the evolution of India's bar landscape,' says Madhav Sehgal, Area Vice President – Operations South at The Leela. 'We're weaving cultural narratives, embracing native ingredients, and sharing India's story with the world, one cocktail at a time.' Their recently launched 'Native Section' menu draws from the region's own pantry: Coco Fizz with tender coconut, Annanas with Rani pineapple, and Fire and Water, a smoky concoction featuring bhajji chilli, are among the standouts.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Delhi's Lair named best bar in India; four other Indian bars featured in Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025 list
From banana-infused tequila to cocktails with edible paint, these Indian bars aren't just mixing drinks, they're shaking up Asia's drinking culture. When Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025 list was unveiled in Macau this week, all eyes were on the continent's rising stars in the cocktail world. The top spot went to Hong Kong's Bar Leone, a Negroni-first bar with serious Italian flair. But for Indian drinkers and global mixology fans alike, the real buzz came from back home where 5 Indian bars cracked the Top 50, each one bringing a bold, local flavour to the global stage. Here's a look at them. Coorg Highball from Lair, Delhi; Let's Paloma from SOKA, Bengaluru Lair, New Delhi (#8) From a speakeasy tucked inside Vasant Vihar comes the country's most hyped cocktail destination. Lair isn't just about stylish design (think monochrome concrete and sharp glass cuts), it's about drink innovation that has the rest of Asia watching closely. Founders Jairaj Singh Solanki and Dhruv Raj Vij conceptualised Lair in 2019, survived the pandemic, and turned it into a full-blown trendsetter by 2025. Ever seen edible paint on glassware? Or tasted a Picante before it was cool? That's Lair's legacy. It's the kind of place where cocktails are concept art, not just concoctions. SOKA, Bengaluru (#28) Hidden away in a snug 38-seater space with leather couches and Goan art installations, SOKA takes a poetic approach to cocktails. Its one-page menu is deceptively simple, because the storytelling happens in your glass. Helmed by the team behind Jamming Goat in Goa, Chef Sombir Choudhary and bartender Avinash Kapoli, envision SOKA showcases the city's stories and secrets to both longtime residents and new entrants through an assortment of story-centric cocktails. Think clarified jasmine, sous-vided bananas, and a piquant tequila cocktail named Mofo Don that glows pink thanks to red cabbage juice from a vendor in Russell Market. This is not your average pub, it's Bangalore, bottled. Boilermaker, Goa (#30) At Boilermaker, Goa's craft beer and cocktail powerhouses collide to create a bar that's industrial in vibe but pure soul in its pours. Co-founded by Pankaj Balachandran and Nakul Bhonsle, this joint is part welder, part wizard. The drink menu is split into Smashables, Sessionables, and Shorties — each one more fun than the last. Try Papa Issues, a riot of rum, papaya, and Sichuan pepper. Or Chotu Garibaldi, a short but deadly mix of Campari and fresh orange. Who needs a story when the flavour slaps this hard? ZLB23 at The Leela Palace, Bengaluru (#31) ZLB23 is part Prohibition-era New York, part Kyoto minimalism, and all heart. Hidden behind a secret door at The Leela Palace, this ultra-chic bar serves Shiso Negronis, smoky Old-Fashioneds, and a heady dose of live jazz. Every sip here feels like a secret well kept, and that's the point. Whether it's a moody jazz night or a global bar takeover, ZLB23 brings intimacy and intrigue back to Bengaluru nightlife. Spirit Forward, Bengaluru (#37) This Lavelle Road stunner is the kind of place where ice cubes get stamped, olives are blue cheese-stuffed, and the gin martini is prediluted and poured icy from the bottle. Spirit Forward was crafted by longtime F&B insiders with a knack for magic behind the bar. The Southern Star, their tequila-based crowd-favourite, is fermented with guava, plum, and jalapeno for 36 hours before being shaken to silken perfection. One sip and you'll understand why this bar just raced into the global spotlight. The ones that just missed the cut The excitement didn't stop at 50. Four more Indian bars made it to the extended 51–100 list: Goa's Bar Outrigger (#55), Delhi's beloved Sidecar (#62), Mumbai's legendary Bombay Canteen (#69), and Hideaway in Goa (#94). So whether you're beach-bound or city-hopping, this year's Asia's 50 Best Bars proves one thing — India isn't just catching up to the cocktail world, it's raising the bar, quite literally.
NDTV
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Delhi's Lair Named Best Bar In India For 2025, Four Other Indian Bars Among Asia's 50 Best
An Indian bar has made it to the top 10 bars in Asia for this year. The prestigious list of Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025 has just been unveiled. Lair, located in New Delhi, has been ranked 8th. Four other Indian establishments have been featured among the 50 best bars. Soka in Bengaluru is ranked 28th, Boilermaker in Goa is ranked 30th, ZLB23 in Bengaluru is ranked 31st, and Bar Spirit Forward in Bengaluru is ranked 37th. In 2024, ZLB23 at The Leela Palace Bengaluru was named the best bar in India. It was the only Indian bar to be ranked among the top 50 last year. Last year, Lair was ranked 68th in Asia. This year, it has managed to put India on the global map like never before. In its winner announcement on Instagram, the ranking organisation noted, "Located in the heart of New Delhi, Lair is a modern speakeasy inspired by secretive 1920s prohibition-era bars, where moonshine and craftsmanship reigned supreme. The name is a nod to the immersive space, which is designed to transport patrons to a sleek, hidden retreat. Conceptualised by hospitality veterans Jairaj Singh Solanki and Dhruv Raj Vij, the bar offers a perfect environment for relaxed conversations and immersive drinking experiences, with dim lighting and earthy decor that heighten the sensory experience. The menu, divided into three levels - beginners, intermediate, and superior - guides guests through a journey of flavour complexity." A few days ago, it was revealed that four Indian bars made it to the extended list of best bars in Asia for 2025. This means they were ranked from 51 to 100. Bar Outrigger in Goa was ranked 55th, Sidecar in New Delhi was ranked 62nd, The Bombay Canteen in Mumbai was ranked 69th, and Hideaway in Goa was ranked 94th. Click here to read the full story. The 50 best bars list for Asia this year was topped by Bar Leone in Hong Kong, Zest in Seoul and Jigger & Pony in Singapore. Find out all the winners below: These Are Asia's 50 Best Bars For 2025: Bar Leone, Hong Kong Zest, Seoul Jigger & Pony, Singapore Bar Us, Bangkok Dry Wave Cocktail Studio, Bangkok Bar Cham, Seoul Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou Lair, New Delhi Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo Penrose, Kuala Lumpur Argo, Hong Kong Modernhaus, Jakarta Alice, Seoul Smoke & Bitters, Hiriketiya Three X Co, Kuala Lumpur CMYK, Changsha Coa, Hong Kong Virtu, Tokyo BKK Social Club, Bangkok Vender, Taichung MO Bar Shenzhen, Shenzhen The St. Regis Bar, Jakarta Offtrack, Singapore Nutmeg & Clove, Singapore Yakoboku, Kumamoto G.O.D, Bangkok Penicillin, Hong Kong Soka, Bengaluru Vesper, Bangkok Boilermaker, Goa ZLB23, Bengaluru The Savory Project, Hong Kong Gokan, Hong Kong Carrots Bar, Jakarta Barc, Kathmandu Punch Room Tokyo, Tokyo Bar Spirit Forward, Bengaluru Cosmo Pony, Jakarta Bar Trigona, Kuala Lumpur The Public House, Taipei To Infinity & Beyond, Taipei Moonrock, Tainan Opium, Bangkok Cat Bite Club, Singapore Native, Singapore Lamp Bar, Nara Reka, Kuala Lumpur Bar Sathorn, Bangkok Bar Libre, Tokyo Le Chamber, Seoul
The Independent
28-02-2025
- The Independent
Now is the perfect time to discover India's most underrated city
Home to more than a billion people and almost as many temples, beaches, markets, monuments and national parks, there's always something new to discover in India. For many, the obvious place to start is the Golden Triangle, a route encompassing popular sites in the northern states of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh – the ancient forts of Jaipur, the chaotic streets of Delhi, and the enduringly romantic Taj Mahal. But India's southern states are now luring travellers who also want to experience the region's more cosmopolitan charms, and no city offers that more than Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka, formerly known by its colonial name Bangalore. Today, it's the hub of the nation's booming tech and start-up sector leading many to dub it 'India's Silicon Valley'. But scratch beneath the surface and you'll discover a richly layered metropolis full of soul and ancient traditions. Why go now? India has never been more popular. Global travel network Virtuoso named it as one of the destinations on the rise for 2025. While Mumbai and Delhi may get all the attention, it's now time for India's India's fifth-largest settlement to shine. Virgin Atlantic recently announced new direct flights from London Heathrow, making it easier than ever to start exploring the Garden City, as it is known due to its many parks and open spaces. What to do While there are no major bucket-list sites, Bengaluru can definitely compete when it comes to culture. Spend a morning exploring the vibrant and head-spinning Krishnarajendra market, where stalls sell everything from spices and flowers to copperware and fresh produce. The ruins of the 18th-century city fort, heavily damaged by British forces, is a good place to soak up history, along with the 17th-century Kote Venkataramana temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Venkateshwara. India is notoriously chaotic – all part of the country's charm – but Bengaluru has a good balance of lively and quiet spaces. Retreat to the tranquillity of Cubbon Park, an inner city patch of paradise where couples and families enjoy walks and picnics. Elsewhere, the Lalbagh Botanical Garden – 98 blissful hectares first planted in 1760 – is a horticultural masterpiece. Where to stay Centred around beautifully landscaped gardens and modelled on the royal residence of nearby Mysore (or Mysuru), the pink-hued Leela Palace is a 357-room property fit for a maharaja – and a former prime minister (Rishi Sunak tied the knot here to local girl Akshata Murty in 2009). The grand property features 20ft sandstone pillars, handwoven carpets, intricate frescoes and twinkling crystal chandeliers. Every morning, local musicians performing in the lobby create a heavenly start to the day, with flutes and traditional drums. Beyond the opulence and grandeur, it's still possible to seek out cosy, subdued spots. Take a stroll through the gardens, wander into the restaurant kitchens, and in a quiet corner you'll find the secret entrance to ZLB23, the Kyoto-styled speakeasy that was recently named the best bar in India. A less glitzy but equally impressive hotel option is the 117-room Taj West End, one of the oldest manor houses in India, founded in 1887. Gothic arches and red-tiled roofs decorate the building set in grounds dotted with trees more than 150 years old. Secret spot One of the city's best-loved local hangouts is Airlines Hotel which, confusingly, isn't a hotel and has nothing to do with flying. This charming al fresco dining spot on Madras Bank Road has been serving cheap and cheerful traditional meals for decades and is particularly well-known for its breakfasts. Grab one of the metal tables under the 90-year-old banyan tree and feast on chana bhature (fried bread filled with chick peas) accompanied by milky masala chai. How to do it Virgin Atlantic flies from London Heathrow to Bengaluru from £494 return. Doubles at the Leela Palace Bengaluru start from £214 per night. Doubles at the Taj West End start from £150 per night.
