Celebrate Pride Month By Paying A Visit To These 6 LGBTQ+ Friendly Bars Across India

Author: Devi Poojari

Dimly lit bar with empty tables and stools, neon signs on the walls, a long counter with drinks, and two people seated at the bar.

June each year is observed as pride month around the world – and in India, the expanding queer community have been finding their place within the social scene consistently. As restaurants and bars across the country lend their spaces for LGBTQIA+ members to find a haven where they can celebrate their existence and meet like-minded individuals, a few noteworthy mentions deserve to be acknowledged for consciously cultivating a sense of community, as a result. While queer rights continue to be debatable for their legitimacy, it is these hospitality hubs that provide a sense of liberation and expression.

Depot-48 (Delhi)

Think of all the essentials of the perfect night out – delicious food, foot-thumping music, craft cocktails and a crowd that is always ready to shake a leg. As one of the spaces that has gradually gained acclaim for being queer-friendly in recent years, Depot-48 also hosts live musical performances that are captivating to the audience. Known for being one of the frequently visited inclusive spaces within the city, the bar also offers a casual vibe for evenings when dressing down is on the cards.

A dimly lit bar with shelves of liquor bottles, rows of glasses, and candles on the counter; a person is partially visible behind the bar.

The Ghetto (Mumbai)

Reflecting the vibrancy of the rainbow with its neon interiors, The Ghetto pub located in the southern part of the city infuses rock-inspired elements into its ambience while also being a dependable space for the community to bring out the best in themselves. Not just limited to dance fiends, the pub also houses a pool table, hosts live performances and open mics which gives party-goers more than one reason to continue visiting – based on what they’re in the mood for on any particular day.

High Spirits Café (Pune)

The legendary Sunday cookouts aside, High Spirits has been a defining space in the city’s nightlife as well as fabric of hospitality. The eclectic mix of people, vibrant music and live gigs are just a handful of reasons that allude to why the indoor-outdoor spot makes for a significant addition to this list. Famed for their offers on drinks and food, the space is an ideal way to bring in or spend the weekend, making merry.

Edible Archives (Goa)

This women-owned establishment is not just an ingredient-driven restaurant known for some lip-smacking local preparations, but also boasts of thoughtfully crafted cocktails and its old-world charm courtesy of its traditional architectural details. While being a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community, the serene ambience instantly draws patrons in for how relaxed it feels. The added advantage of the place – aside from being open to queers – is that it also doubles up as a great date spot (read: love is love)!

Also Check this out: Goa’s Best Bars: A Guide to the City’s Top Drinking Spots

Tavern-Behind-Trincas (Kolkata)

Tavern-Behind-Trincas (TBT) stands as a compelling case study in how learnings from the LGBTQ+ community can ripple outward, shaping spaces that embrace not only queerness but other underrepresented cultures and genres. Take regional music, for instance. Though deeply rooted in the city’s social fabric, one can find Bengali music playing in the space as a regular feature. Their well-made orange margaritas only add to the charm of their weekly karaoke nights which happen every Thursday – a feature that stands out in the cultural fabric of Kolkata.

A modern bar with a row of liquor bottles, glassware, and red lighting; bar stools and pendant lights are visible along the counter.

The Sky Lounge (Hyderabad)

With a breathtaking view of the cityscape for company, Hyderabad’s The Sky Lounge is sleek and chic – both of which are reasons enough for it to be a sought-after queer-friendly space. Serving elegant cocktails and an atmosphere to match, it is advisable to drop by for a pre-dinner drink or to sip on one after a romantic meal. While live music performances are a rare occurrence here, the bar also offers lucrative discounts on weekdays to patrons. Check with the wait staff for any offers on drinks and spend an evening with the wind caressing your face.

Chin Lung Brewery (Bangalore)

Thin-crust, wood-fired pizzas, craft beer and cocktails to match for the non beer-drinking customer, the community bar is perpetually bustling with activity. The high energy ambience is palpable as soon as you walk in and Chin Lung also houses a rooftop space as an extension. Visiting with a group of friends? Opt for the beer taster flight to sample a variety of their brews before picking your drink for the evening and pairing it with delicious small plates of the most creative pub grub.

Also Read: Best Bars In Bangalore: Top 5 Places To Head To When You Visit This City

Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.

About the Author

Devi Poojari

When not busy writing features, Devi loves having friends over so that she can experiment with non-complicated but delicious batch cocktail recipes which eventually become crowd favourites. Aside from having keen interest in exploring new craft cocktails in her city, she also seeks to develop an understanding of indigenous spirits that have redefined the Indian mixology spectrum.