The 9 best bars in Bengaluru

What is it? A surreal, slightly theatrical bar on Museum Road inspired by Salvador Dalí.

Why go? This is where you take someone for a whimsical night out. The space has five themed rooms, and over 75 pieces of art inspired by Salvador Dalí. The drinks are solid and the crowd’s fun – and though they’re big on fun drinks, they do the classics really well too. For bar snacks, the crab rangoon and chicken liver pâté are easy winners. It’s got the ‘we’re going out but not clubbing’ vibe down pat. 

Time Out tip: Grab the Phone Sex and Elephant Paloma off their signature cocktails list, preferably while sitting at the Eye Bar. 

Price: ₹2,500–3,200 for two.

Timings: Daily. 5pm-1am.

Address: Upper ground, No. 1, Museum Rd, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001

What is it? A sharp, grown-up cocktail bar on Lavelle Road that’s serious about mixology.

Why go? This is a second-date bar: dim lighting, polished interiors, and a cocktail menu that makes classics fun again. Southern Star, Umami Old Fashioned and Three Gin Vesper are all reliable picks, as well as the food that’s meant for grazing – crab rangoon, prawn tempura toast, Korean wings. It’s certainly not cheap, so maybe save this bar for when you want a very intentional, cocktails-first night out. It manages to feel calm even when it’s full, which is rare for bars on Lavelle Road. 

Time Out tip: If you like spirit-forward drinks, head straight for the classics section of the menu. 

Price: ₹3,500-4,000 for two.

Timings: Tue-Sun. Closed Monday. 5pm-1am.

Address: Ground Floor, Hotel Southern Star, 40/2, Lavelle Road, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001

What is it? A cocktail bar that loves colour, texture, and slightly eccentric flavour combinations.

Why go? Their cocktails look playful and wildly inventive, but taste balanced (nobody wants a pickle-y mess in the name of a dirty martini anyway). Their version of a Blue Lagoon holds up, whereas the Salida del Sol and Dirty Ceviche are crowd favourites. Bar bites lean Asian, with pomelo wedges, crispy corn curd, Sichuan eggplant, dim sum, and a strangely addictive turnip cake. It’s a lively space, great for small groups, with enough energy to feel like a proper night out. Easy pick for a Friday night. 

Time Out tip: The seemingly humble dim sum in black pepper sauce is criminally underrated.

Price: ₹3,000-₹4,000 for two

Timings: Daily. 12 noon-1am from Mon-Fri and 9am-1am on Sat & Sun

Address: 5, Museum Rd, next to Toscano Restaurant, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 56000

What is it? A breezy two-floor neighbourhood bar in Indiranagar with a bright rooftop and an easygoing all-day vibe.

Why go? Who said drinking can only be done at night? Amicii nails it as Bengaluru’s best long, lazy afternoon catch-up spot – the retractable-roof terrace, in particular, is a crowd favourite, especially around sunset. Drinks are straightforward and fun – the Caribbean Cooler, Suffering Bastard and Three Dots and a Dash are popular picks – while food leans comfort-heavy: pizzas, tostadas, wings, and small plates designed for sharing. Amicii cuts the fancy-schmanciness of some of the other places on this list – it’s no-nonsense dependability, designed to be spot you come to after work, after brunch, or after shopping. 

Time Out tip: The Gongura Chicken Tostadas go well with almost every cocktail.

Price: ₹1,800-2,500 for two.

Timings: Daily. 12 noon-1am

Address: Metro Pillar 56-57, 840/1, 100 Feet Rd, 1st Stage, Indira Nagar 1st Stage, H Colony, Indiranagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560038

What is it? A cosy 65-seater bar off 100 Feet Road that channels old-Bangalore warmth with Indo-Asian comfort food.

Why go? Mirth is cosy enough for a chat without screeching over bad music. The lighting’s dreamily low, you can hear the bartender shaking your cocktail, and the reddish tinge that cascades over everything helps you ease into drunken stupor with a cheeky elegance. Off the drinks menu, the Martini Revolver, Jasmine Drift, and Clear Intention are especially well-concocted, while the Goa Glow prawns, Kyoto Hush chicken and Crackle Theory pork round off the best of the bar snacks. 

Time Out tip: Order the Enoki Nights with any gin drink.

Price: ₹2,500-3,000 for two.

Timings:  5.30pm–1am from Tues-Sat and 5.30pm-12.30am on Sunday. Tuesday Closed.

Address: 2nd floor, Ashok Terrace, 303, 100 Feet Rd, Indira Nagar 1st Stage, Stage 1, Indiranagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560038

What is it? A cheap, cheerful, kitty-themed dive bar where nothing costs much and everything feels like a story you’ll tell later.

Why go? Tommy’s is for nights when bartenders that talk about terroir seem nightmarish. No pretence here. Old Monk flows like it’s on tap, the paneer tikka cannot possibly be complained about, and loud jokes told at the adjoining table will likely be laughed at by the folks sitting at yours. Drinks are, of course, pocket-friendly, and the staff is lightning-quick. The menu reads like an Indo-Chinese fever dream: dal fry, kadhai chicken, rogan josh, chilli chicken. 

Time Out tip: Order the butter chicken with Old Monk. Trust me.

Price: ₹900-1,400 for two

Timing: Daily. 4.00pm- 12.30am from Mon-Thurs and 12 noon-12.30am from Fri-Sat 

Address: First Floor, No. 89, AM Plaza, HAL Old Airport Rd, Murugeshpalya, Konena Agrahara, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560017

What is it? An old-school beer bar that feels exactly like the Bengaluru everyone older than you won’t shut up about. 

Why go? Pecos is for cheap beer and rock music. The playlists are all retro rock, the crowd is mostly Bengaluru locals, and the waiters somehow remember your usual order by your second visit. It’s dim, crowded, slightly grungy and absolutely comforting. The perfect place to come when you want to sing loudly without judgment and eat fries with unnecessary amounts of mayo. The best part about getting drunk here is that the servers are active, friendly, and bring ‘what-a-cutie-anna-pookie’ energy.  

Time Out tip: Paneer chilli with a mug of cold beer. Non-negotiable

Price: ₹900–1,200 for two

Hours: Daily. 11am-11pm from Mon-Fri and 11am-11.30pm on Sat & Sun

Address: 34, Rest House Rd, off Brigade Road, below pecos pub, Shanthala Nagar, Sampangi Rama Nagara, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001

What is it? A modern, evolving bar-restaurant on Lavelle Road that blends serious cocktails with very bold small plates.

Why go? The open kitchen gives the space a lively rhythm, the bar comes with GI-tagged ingredients and house-made vermouths, and the food almost steals the show from the drinks menu. Mee Krob, Eggplant Laab, Gai Yang Wings, Potato Laab, Pork Floss Toast – everything is layered, punchy and fun to eat. This is the spot for people who secretly judge boring menus. 

Time Out tip: The crispy soft-shell crab with bao is a showstopper. Get it if it’s on.

Price: ₹2,000–2,800 for two

Timings: Tue-Sun. Closed Monday. 12 noon-3pm and 7pm-10.45pm on Wed & Thu, 7am-10.45pm on Tues, 12 noon-3 pm and 7pm-11.30am on Fri, 11.30am-3pm and 7pm-11.30pm on Sat, 11.30am-3pm and 7pm-10.45pm on Sun.

Address: 20/2, PartTwo, The Biere Club, Vittal Mallya Rd, D' Souza Layout, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001

What is it? A nostalgic, old-Bengaluru bar established in 1977, with Mangalorean food, classic drinks, and a loyal three-generation following.

Why go? Dolphins is warm, simple and full of regulars who’ve been coming here forever. The interiors still feel like a throwback to the erstwhile Bangalore, and the food is exactly what you’d expect: kebabs, tandoori plates, ghee roast – snacks that work perfectly with beer. Drinks are straightforward (no mindbending mixology happening here), prices are kind, and the staff treat you like you’ve been here for years even if it’s your first visit.

Time Out tip: Order any of the Mangalorean specials. Shetty Uncle knew what he was doing.

Price: ₹1,000–1,600 for two

Timings: Daily. 10am-11pm

Address: 572D, Master Bhawani Prasad Tanver Marg, Shindi Colony, Naraina Village, Naraina, New Delhi, Delhi 110028