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Delhi Nightlife

Delhi's bar scene has grown rapidly in recent years. Apart from 5-star hotels, Delhi's drinking dens can be found concentrated around Connaught Place or in the prosperous southern suburbs. Many Delhi bars also double up as restaurants and nightclubs. Fancier bars stock a myriad of domestic and foreign alcohol, the latter at premium prices. Espresso bars are becoming increasingly popular - the two most prolific chains are Barista and Cafe Coffee Day.

Delhi also offers a rich blend of music, dance and theatre shows. Local newspapers including the Hindustan Times and The Times of India carry daily and weekly listings of events. Time Out Delhi offers comprehensive listings and reviews.

Bars in Delhi

1911

One of the swankiest hotel bars in Delhi is 1911 in The Imperial hotel. Named after the year when Delhi was proclaimed the capital of British India, this is neo-colonial drinking at its best, amid opulent surroundings.

The Imperial, Janpath, Delhi
Tel: (011) 2334 1234.
Website: www.theimperialindia.com

Ice Lounge

Delhi's new Ice Lounge follows a worldwide trend for 'cool' (literally) venues. As its name suggests, the interior features sculptures and décor fashioned from solid ice – which in this case is imported specially from Canada. It's a welcome escape from what can be oppressive Delhi temperatures outside.

MGF Metropolitan Mall, A-2 District Centre, Saket, Delhi
Tel: (011) 4101 7171.
Website: www.iceloungeindia.com

Q'BA

A snazzy joint in Connaught Place, this two-floor bar offering a decent cocktail list attracts a smart crowd. Featuring leather chairs, dim lighting, two breezy roof terraces, deep purple, black and brown hues, it is worth lingering in with friends. It also sometimes features live music.

42/43 E-Block, Connaught Place, Delhi
Tel: (011) 4517 3333.
Website: www.qba.co.in

Clubs in Delhi

@Live Bar

You'll need lots of energy for this centrally-located watering hole where can choose what songs you want the live Malaysian band to play. The nightspot serves a mix of beverages from decent local wine to sangria and Irish beer.

K-12, Outer Circle, Connaught Place, Delhi
Tel: (011) 4356 0008.

Lizard Lounge

Hip hop, rock, and Bollywood tunes take turns on the decks at this small nightspot in Delhi's trendy southern suburb.

E-5, South Extension II, Delhi
Tel: (011) 4164 2924.

Shalom

In Greater Kailash is the trendy Shalom which sports an inventive drinks menu alongside its tasty Lebanese and Spanish food menu. This laid-back watering hole in Delhi also features an eclectic choice of music.

N-18, N-Block Market, Delhi
Tel: (011) 4163 2280.
Website: www.shalomexperience.com

Live Music in Delhi

Boogaloo

Located on the ground floor of the Grand Sartaj Hotel close to Green Park on the south side of the city centre, this recently opened bar in Delhi offers an eclectic mix of live bands and DJs. Quite what the musical offering is likely to be on any given night is impossible to predict – pretty much every genre of contemporary taste appears to be catered for.

Hotel Sartaj, A3 Green Park, Delhi
Tel: (011) 2685 7660.

Haze

The only bar offering live jazz and blues music in Delhi, this place has a laid-back atmosphere and friendly staff. Pictures of jazz greats line the wall while the DJ and staff definitely know the classics. Happy hour is between 1530-1900.

8 Basant Lok, Visant Vihar, Delhi
Tel: (011) 4166 9088.

TLR

This late-night drinking lair is a relative newcomer but is fast attracting a loyal crowd of musicians, expats and tourists. Chill out to a musical medley, ranging from reggae and raga to soft rock and soul. Its three floors heave at the weekends with energetic dancers and live music but you can always escape the sweaty masses by battling your way to the fourth-floor terrace for a breath of Delhi’s sultry night air.

31 Hauz Khas Village, Delhi
Tel: (011) 4608 0533.
Website: www.tlrcafe.com

Classical Music in Delhi

Kamani Auditorium

Delhi's concert halls tend to be busy more or less year-round, with the Delhi Symphony Orchestra often performing here. Hindustani music is by far the most popular, but Delhiites also have a keen interest in international music.

1, Copernicus Marg, Delhi
Tel: (011) 4350 3351.
Website: www.kamaniauditorium.org

Theatre in Delhi

Abhimanch Auditorium

Delhi has a number of innovative theatres, many located just to the north of India Gate. These include Abhimanch Auditorium, which stages experimental theatre.

Bahawalpur House, Bhagwan Das Road, Delhi
Tel: (011) 2338 2821.

Triveni Kala Sangam

This venue has two galleries devoted to an indoor theatre, plus fine art and a sculpture park.

Tansen Marg, Delhi
Tel: (011) 2371 8833.

Music and Dance in Delhi

India International Centre

Among the ranks of Delhi's ‘chatterati', the India International Centre is a political icon and post-independence institution. It is the capital's premier cultural centre and organises music and dance recitals as well as seminars, lectures and film screenings.

40 Max Mueller Marg, Delhi
Tel: (011) 2461 9431.
Website: www.iicdelhi.nic.in

Sangeet Natak Akademi

This premier performing arts institute is India's national academy for dance, music and drama. Dance aficionados are well catered for in Delhi and a rich mix of classical (including Kathak, Bharatnatyam and Kathakali), folk and tribal dance, as well as ballet, are performed throughout the city, including The India International Centre and Triveni Theatre.

Rabindra Bhavan, Delhi
Tel: (011) 2338 7246.
Website: www.sangeetnatak.com

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