30BestBarsIndia has announced the short list of top 50 bars in India. The 2024 ranking of the 30 Best Bars will be announced in Goa on January 13, 2025.

These bars were chosen based on polling of a national jury made up of more than 270 top bar enthusiasts, cocktail connoisseurs, hospitality experts and industry influencers.

The main insight from this year’s list is that bars are going beyond the usual to capture evolving consumer tastes, especially with a strong resurgence of classic cocktails, zero-proof drinks and thematic spaces.

There is a strong focus on recycling, minimal waste, and locally sourced ingredients; creating immersive experiences that draw customers back not just for the drinks, but for the atmosphere, vibe and creativity of the bar team.

Key insights

• This year’s Top 50 list welcomes 21 new bars, showcasing the competitiveness in the industry.
• The Top 50 span nine cities and Goa, reflecting India’s evolving bar culture.
• Mumbai and Goa have taken the lead with 11 bars each.
• The national capital region has nine bars from New Delhi and three from Gurugram.
• Bengaluru’s rapidly growing cocktail culture has six bars that made it to the list.
• This is followed by Kolkata (4), Hyderabad (2), Jaipur (2), Shillong (1) and Pune (1).

Vikram Achanta, Co-Founder of 30BestBarsIndia, says, “It’s especially exciting to see India’s top bartenders finally having some skin in the game through equity shares and taking on significant decision-making roles in some of India’s top bars. As a Hyderabad native, I’m also happy to see the city emerge as a hub for cocktail culture.”

Radhakrishnan Nair, Co-Founder of 30BestBarsIndia, says, “With almost half of the Top 50 filled with new bars, we’re witnessing a remarkable wave of fresh talent sweeping across the country, and boundaries being pushed like never before. We can't wait to see how the Top 30 shapes up!”

Setting trends

Delhi and Gurugram are powerhouses of experimentation and innovation, setting mixology trends that resonate across the country.

Mumbai’s mixology is ever-evolving, from chic bars and quirky cocktail menus to farm-to-table approaches and home-grown twists, the city remains an epicenter for innovation. Impressively, 11 out of the original 15 bars in the Top 100 have secured a spot in the Top 50 list.

Goa is seeing a rise in sophisticated bar experiences, from beachside lounges to luxury hotel bars.

From classy lounges to grand spaces and edgy watering holes that may be small but big in vision, Bengaluru’s cocktail culture has evolved into something remarkable, with new entrants setting new standards for mixology in the city.

Kolkata’s nocturnal allure is unmatched and steadily making waves across India. From historic, old-world charm to contemporary cocktail culture, the city is evolving into a key player in India’s nightlife.

To see the full list of bars and their rankings in 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023, visit https://www.30bestbarsindia.in.