Small Cities, Big Pours: 5 Bars In Jaipur, Indore And More Leading The New Wave Of Cocktail Innovation

Author: Srishti M

Introduction

For the longest time, it felt anything and everything new was reserved for the Indian metro cities – especially when it came to cocktails and concept bars. You could expect ghee-washed cocktails in Chennai, fruity concoctions in Kolkata, coffee-steeped whisky brews in Delhi, and sustainability in a glass in Mumbai. In recent years, however, India’s tier-2 cities have joined the big leagues’ cocktail table with their signature serves–smaller, regional, and specialised.

Bars in Jaipur, Indore, Goa, and more are not just reinventing classics; rather, they are coming up with truly creative expressions in a glass, blending high-quality ingredients with expert techniques. Take a look at select bars below to better understand this wave of cocktail innovation.

Credits: The Bagh, Instagram

The Bagh, Amritsar

The first thing that greets you at The Bagh, a gourmet restaurant and bar, is the lush greenery that seems miles away from the busy, bustling lanes Amritsar is known for. Awarded ‘India’s Best Designed Restaurant’, The Bagh brings together rustic settings with overarching trees, brick-wall buildings, and cobbled paths leading to private dining rooms. In the midst of it all lies a bar that landed a spot in the Top 100 Bars of India 2025–26, thanks to its mix of history and culture. The bar houses popular spirits, from Johnnie Walker Black to Tanqueray No Ten, and presents signature serves like the Wabi Sabi, Tea Sonic, etc, along with seasonal stars Peach Me, Please.

Address: The Bagh, The Forest Resort, Verka, Bypass Rd, Vallah, Amritsar, Punjab
Timing: Open 12:30 PM - 1 AM, every day
Cost for Two: ₹1,500-₹2,000 (approx)

Credits: Atelier V, Instagram

Atelier V, Indore

Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata seem to be championing smaller locations, labelled “intimate and exclusive” – Delhi is now home to the world’s smallest bar, The Hidden Club, with room for just four! Atelier V, meanwhile, is an expansive space. The kind they expect to fill up with people looking for “long dinners and unhurried evenings”. And their signature cocktail program? A well-designed set inspired by places across the world.

Each drink takes a place as its theme, incorporating its stories, ingredients, and flavours into the glass. You get Arriba! (representing Mexico), that combines tequila, salsa, and jalapeno for a spicy serve, and Piyo! (for India), which mixes gin with gondhoraj, caramelised banana and mango to form a sweet, yet airy serve. The in-house bartender, Karan Dhanelia, also won World Class India 2026.

Address: Satguru Parinay, Opp. C-21 Mall, AB Road, Indore
Timing: Open, 12:30 PM to 11:00 PM, Monday, Wednesday to Sunday (closed Tuesdays)
Cost for Two: ₹3,500-₹4,500 (approx)

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Credits: Native Cocktail Room, Instagram

Native Cocktail Room, Jaipur

Renowned for its majestic forts, stunning palaces, exquisite handicrafts, and traditional gemstones, Jaipur is in the “pink” of health when it comes to its bars. In simple terms, Jaipur is home to multiple bars with exceptional cocktail programmes, but the one that really stands out is the Native Cocktail Room. The room talks about being a “theatre of mixology”, serving drinks inspired by India’s many regional flavours. Ranked 25 on the 30 Best Bars, Native Cocktail Room’s signature beverages include Pondicherry Sour, East Asian Highball, and Apple State, among others. This is where you come for thoughtful cocktails and rich food.

Address: Hotel Pearl Palace, 51 Hathroi Fort, Hari Kishan Somani Marg, Ajmer Rd, Jaipur
Timing: 12 PM to 11:30 PM, every day
Cost for Two: ₹2,500

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Credits: Boiler Maker, Instagram

Boiler Maker, Goa

Ranked 30 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars (2025), Boiler Maker has the “soul of a dive bar”. But don’t mistake that for a limited menu, because their cocktail program blends creative cocktails, craft drinks, and classics. The bar’s namesake drink, Boilermaker, swaps whisky for the indigenous feni, while the bar’s setup imitates a modern-day shack with its open space, metal elements, and mismatched chairs.

Address: Boilermaker, Opposite Vailanka Wine Shop, Thallasa Road, Siolim, Goa
Timing: 5 PM - 12 AM, every day
Cost for Two: ₹1,400 - ₹2,500

Credits: Shad Skye, Instagram

Shad Skye, Shillong

A rooftop bar that matches amazing views with excellent craft cocktails, Shad Skye claims to serve drinks inspired by “India’s Seven Sisters and their adventurous brother”. This is the cocktail menu you head for when unique and local flavours are on your mind. Ranked 38 on the 30 Best Bars List, their menu includes drinks with ingredients like Naga Basil, Bamboo Shoots, Shrimp Curry, Khus Roots, and more.

Address: Rooftop, The Shillong Address, Police Bazar, Shillong
Timing: 12:00 PM - 1 AM, every day
Cost for Two: ₹2,000

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

FAQs:

Jaipur has different types of bars with excellent cocktail programs. A few noteworthy establishments are 1932 Trevi, The Johri, Native Cocktail Room, and Sura.

Srishti M

Srishti Magan is a writer and editor with over eight years of experience across lifestyle and entertainment. She looks for stories in food and beverages, enjoys analysing movies and pop culture, and continues to believe in the power of the written word. Outside of work, she gravitates toward fiction, rewatches her favourite sitcoms more times than is healthy, and is always in search of a well-made cocktail.