Although its bar scene has grown rapidly in recent years, Delhi still has a long way to go to compete with Mumbai as the capital of Indian nightlife. Apart from 5-star hotels, the watering holes of Delhi are concentrated around Connaught Place, with a growing number in the more prosperous southern suburbs. Legally, alcohol can only be consumed and purchased from the age of 18. The price of a beer while out and about in Delhi can vary considerably, depending on the venue, with the fancier spots often charging around triple that of the more basic bars.

Newspapers including the Hindustan Times (website: www.hindustantimes.com) and The Times of India (website: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com) carry daily and weekly listings and information on nightlife in Delhi. Listings can also be found in magazines such as First City and Delhi Diary.

Bars & Live Music: More and more bars stage live music at least once a week (usually on weekends), which ranges from jazz and latin to hip hop and 1980s disco. The Maurya Sheraton, Diplomatic Enclave, has the lively Dublin bar, with an Irish theme, while Rick's, situated in the Taj Mahal Hotel, 1 Mansingh Road, offers a swish modernist style. Outside the 5-star hotels there are a mushrooming number of commendable bars, the pick of the bunch in Connaught Place being Q'BA, 42 E-Block, which sometimes has live music. Another good choice here is DV8, 13 Regal Building, which has comfortable leather chairs, a big-screen television and a top range of domestic and imported beverages.

In Greater Kailash I's N-Block Market is the trendy Shalom Med Lounge Bar, which sports an inventive drinks menu and tasty Lebanese food. Meanwhile, in Vasant Vihar's Basant Lok Complex, there are two excellent watering holes: ultra-stylish Kylin and the more informal Hookah Bar & Lounge. Expresso bars are becoming increasingly popular and can be found in many areas of the city. The two most prolific chains are Barista and Cafe Coffee Day.

Clubs: Most discos are in the luxury hotels and many of them operate a couples-only policy, as well as a dress code. Places tend to come and go rather frequently, so to find out the in-vogue discos during the time of your visit quiz locals and peruse First City magazine.