Nightlife in Delhi: Bars, Clubs & Lounges for a Proper Night Out

Intro

Delhi's night scene is spread across the whole city, and where you base yourself decides how much of it you actually enjoy. The Grand New Delhi sits in Vasant Kunj, in the south of the city, beside the mall bars of Nelson Mandela Marg, a short drive from the cocktail bars of Vasant Vihar and within reach of Aerocity, Hauz Khas and Mehrauli.

On site, GBar pours cocktails until 1 AM with no cover charge, live music on selected evenings and a Buy 1 Get 1 Free happy hour from 6 to 8 PM. This guide covers GBar, the best bars, lounges and clubs across Delhi, the rules to know before you go out, and three ready-made evening plans.

Nightlife at The Grand at a glance

Why Vasant Kunj is a smart base for a night out

Most of Delhi's famous nightlife is clustered in Connaught Place, Hauz Khas Village and Aerocity, and the drive between them can eat an hour on a bad evening. Vasant Kunj gives you three things the central hubs do not.

• Good bars on your doorstep. Ambience Mall and DLF Promenade, both within a short walk, hold several bars and restaurants, including one of the capital's best-regarded cocktail clubs (see below). The cocktail bars of Vasant Vihar are a few minutes away by cab.
• A calmer way home. After a late night you are back in a quiet part of South Delhi rather than a long drive from the crowded centre.
• Airport access. IGI Airport is about 20 to 30 minutes away, so a night out fits neatly around an arrival or an early departure. See our 5-star hotel near Delhi airport.

GBar: the cocktail lounge at The Grand

GBar is the hotel's signature cocktail bar and lounge, open from 1 PM to 1 AM on the lobby level. It is built for conversation rather than a crowded dance floor: comfortable lounge seating, a full list of signature cocktails, premium whiskies, gins, vodkas and rums, plus wines and champagne. Bar food and dishes from the hotel kitchen are served through the evening.

Happy hour, 6 PM to 8 PM

Every day from 6 to 8 PM, selected drinks are Buy 1 Get 1 Free. There is no cover charge and no need to book, so it works for a quick after-work drink as well as the start of a longer night.

Live music

On selected evenings the room shifts from relaxed lounge to a livelier night out with live performers. Dates change, so call +91-11-4766-1200 or contact us before you visit. 

Good to know before you go

• Walk-ins are welcome. For five or more guests, call ahead to reserve seating.
• Smart casual is the dress code. Slippers and sportswear are not allowed.
• Parking is available on the property, with valet.
• Guests must be 25 or older to be served alcohol in Delhi. Carry a valid government photo ID.

Reserve a table at GBar  

Plan your evening without leaving the hotel

For all outlets, timings and menus, see dining at The Grand.

Best bars and lounges near The Grand (Vasant Kunj and Vasant Vihar)

You do not have to leave the neighbourhood for a strong night. These are the bars most often recommended within a short drive or walk. Prices are approximate costs for two from public listings and change often.

Home, Ambience Mall (Vasant Kunj)

A sprawling bar and club on the third floor of Ambience Mall, about ten minutes' walk from the hotel. Home has featured on Asia's 50 Best Bars list (it reached No. 30 in 2022) and is known for an experimental cocktail programme built on house ferments and local ingredients, with live music, a rooftop lounge and food from several cuisines. It operates as a members' club, so access is by membership or an invitation from a member. Budget roughly ₹4,500 for two.

PCO, Vasant Vihar

A compact neighbourhood cocktail bar in D Block Market, Vasant Vihar. Open about 5:30 PM to 1 AM, around ₹2,000 for two. PCO has appeared on India's 30 Best Bars list. Good for a first drink before dinner.

Lair, Vasant Vihar

A speakeasy-style bar in Basant Lok Market, open from about 6 PM to 1 AM, around ₹3,000 for two. Another regular on India's best-bars rankings, and a good pick for a date or a small group that wants real cocktails.

Social, Ambience Mall (Vasant Kunj)

A relaxed, casual restaurant-bar on the third floor of the mall, about ₹1,300 for two. It suits groups who want an easy evening with food, beer and cocktails and no dress-up.

Best cocktail bars across South Delhi

Sidecar, Greater Kailash II

Sidecar is the benchmark for Delhi cocktails. It has appeared on Asia's 50 Best Bars every year since 2020, reaching No. 14 in 2022, and later entered the World's 50 Best Bars list. The bar sits on the first floor of M Block Market above a bookshop, with a long wooden bar, house-made vermouths and bitters, and regular live music and quiz nights. It is open from about 10 AM to 1 AM and costs around ₹3,000 for two. Allow about 30 minutes by cab from Vasant Kunj, longer at peak hours.

For more on this circuit, read our guide to luxury bars in South Delhi.

Best clubs in Delhi for dancing

If your night means a dance floor and a DJ, Delhi's main clubs are in hotels in the centre and Aerocity, and in the busy markets of Hauz Khas. Entry rules differ by venue and by night, so check before you leave.

Club entry: what to expect

• Women and couples are often admitted free or at a lower cover, while stag (all-male) groups may be charged a higher cover or refused entry on busy nights. Policies vary by club and by night.
• Guest lists and table bookings usually get you in more easily. Call or message ahead.
• Some clubs have strict door policies. Dress sharp and avoid sportswear and slippers.
• Cover charges are often adjustable against food and drink, but ask at the door.

Delhi nightlife by area

*Estimates for a normal evening. Friday and Saturday traffic can add 15 to 30 minutes.

Three evenings, ready to follow

A relaxed night for two

Start with happy hour at GBar from 6 PM, move to dinner at DKK around 8, then return to GBar for the later set and a final drink before it closes at 1 AM. Nothing to book except a table, and you are in your room within a minute of closing time.

A night out with friends

Meet at GBar for happy hour, then take a hotel-arranged cab or app taxi to Hauz Khas Village or Aerocity around 9:30 PM for dancing. Book a table or guest list beforehand, agree who is arranging the ride home, and be back for a late room-service snack.

A cocktail crawl for enthusiasts

Begin early in Vasant Vihar at PCO (from about 5:30 PM), move to Lair, then finish at Sidecar in Greater Kailash II, which closes at about 1 AM. Take a cab between stops, and leave Home for another night, since it needs a member's invitation.

A night for business travellers

Meet clients at GBar from the afternoon (it opens at 1 PM), continue with dinner at DKK, and keep the airport 20 to 30 minutes away for an early flight.

Rules every visitor should know

Legal drinking age is 25

Delhi has the highest legal drinking age in India: 25, under the Delhi Excise Act 2009. Proposals to lower it to 21 have been discussed for years but have not become law. The Excise Department has told hotels, clubs and restaurants to check government-issued photo ID, so carry yours (international visitors should carry their passport or a clear copy) even if you look well over 25.

Closing times

Most Delhi bars and lounges stop serving around 1 AM, which is when GBar closes. A few licensed venues run later, but you should not plan on it. If a night out matters, ask the venue directly.

Dry days

On certain days of the year, such as Gandhi Jayanti on 2 October, Republic Day and Independence Day, no alcohol is served anywhere in Delhi, including bars and clubs. The Excise Department announces the list each quarter, and it often includes major festivals. Dussehra (20 October) and Diwali (8 November) fall in the coming weeks, so check the notified list before planning a festival-week night out.

Drinking and driving

India's legal limit is 30 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood, and Delhi Police run frequent checks at night. Arrange a cab or hotel car before your first drink.

Getting around and staying safe at night

• Use app-based taxis or the hotel's car service. Avoid unmarked cabs hailed on the street late at night.
• Share your trip details with a friend, and agree a meeting point if you are in a group.
• Keep valuables close in busy clubs and markets, and watch your drink.
• Book your return ride before the venue empties, because surge pricing and waits peak at closing time.
• Stay in busy, well-lit areas, and ask the concierge for current advice for your route.

Our team can arrange transport on request.

Stay close to the night out

Skip the late-night commute. When you stay at The Grand New Delhi, GBar is a short walk from your room and the quiet of Vasant Kunj is right outside. Browse our rooms and suites, book a recovery session at the spa the next day, or check our current offers. Planning a bigger celebration? See events and weddings.

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Looking for sightseeing instead?

If you would rather see India Gate lit up, walk a night market or eat at a late-night food street than go to a bar, read our guide to places to visit in Delhi at night.