Delhi Nightlife

Sights Shopping Performing Arts

Delhi's nightlife is in a constant state of flux, and among the growing set of young people who can afford it, the scene is intense. Various kinds of watering hole are on offer, with the lounge bar emerging as the most successful formula. Though Delhi doesn't rival the cosmopolitan feel of Mumbai, it seems as if a new lounge opens here every week. That said, the city's somewhat stodgy reputation is still partly deserved: All the major hotels have bars, but most are better suited for a collective nap with a few tired foreigners than a night of Indian camaraderie; they still shut by midnight and many nightclubs close not much later, though there are a few all-night venues.

Hotel bars come in two stripes: those that aim for a British Raj look and an older, quieter clientele, or raucous, late-night dance clubs. Due to high taxes on alcohol, especially imported brands, drinks prices come close to those in London and New York. Those in search of late-night dancing and drinking sometimes head for the suburbs or five-star hotels, which can stay open later.

The disco scene has undergone a transformation in recent years. Select places attract top international DJs and charge cover prices to match. Slowly electronic dance music is overtaking drunk renditions of classic rock and Bollywood favorites at most places. Overly casual attire (shorts, T-shirts, sandals on men) is typically frowned on, and closing times tend to vary with the mood of the city government that month.