Essential Guide to the Best Nightlife in India
What You Need to Know About Nightlife in India and Where to Party
One of the great things about traveling is being able to check out the different types of nightlife that other countries have. You might not associate India with partying. However, India's nightlife is diverse and growing. Tucked away, you’ll find everything from intimate bars and pubs, to multi-level nightclubs. Those interested in something more traditional will find no shortage of cultural performances either.
However, you do need to know where to look.
Curfews and Legal Drinking Age
The age for the legal consumption of alcohol varies across the different states in India. In Delhi, it remains at 25 years, despite ongoing discussions about lowering it. In Mumbai, it's 25 for spirits, 21 for beer, and no set age for wine. India's party state of Goa has the lowest legal drinking age of 18 years, along with Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka. Elsewhere it's generally 21 years. However, venues aren't usually strict about enforcing these limits.
Gujarat is known as a "dry state", where alcohol is illegal without a permit. Bihar also became a "dry state" in early 2016, and the sale of alcohol is restricted in Kerala.
In most cities in India, nightlife is early to start and early to end because of the curfews in place. While Mumbai may have the biggest selection of party places in the country, come 1.30 a.m. they’re all starting to close for the night. With exceptions in luxury hotels, the scene is similar in Delhi and Kolkata (a 2 a.m. curfew has been introduced there), and even worse in Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad which have 11-11.30 p.m.
curfews. Even in Goa, many places are forced to close by 10 p.m. due to noise restrictions. Many venues have found that the solution to the curfews is to open during the day, or early evening.
Pubs, Bars and Clubs
As drinking traditionally isn’t part of India’s culture, the country's bars tend to be divided into two categories –- cheap, seedy local bars frequented by India’s male population, and classier venues catering to the progressive middle and upper class crowd. The latter can only be found in major cities.
An interesting term used in India is that of the “resto-pub” or “resto-bar”. These are restaurants that double as places where you can drink, and sometimes dance later in the night, as many restaurants don’t serve alcohol in India. A elegant example of a resto-bar isBonobo, in Mumbai’s hip suburb of Bandra.
Mumbai has become very cosmopolitan in recent years and is constantly serving up an array of trendy new bars in and around Bandra, and as well as in south Mumbai and the tourist area of Colaba. Goa is also renowned for its plethora of bars and clubs. In addition, apart from Sikkim, it’s the only state in India to havecasinos.
- 7 Unforgettable Bars in Mumbai
- 10 of the Best Bars and Clubs in Delhi from Casual to Classy
- 12 of the Hottest Clubs, Bars & Beach Shacks in Goa
- Top 8 Kolkata Nightlife Venues
Large clubs that are exempt from the curfews are usually only found in 5-star international hotel complexes, and sometimes in shopping malls. Due to their prohibitive cover charges (sometimes as high as 3,000 rupees per couple) and cost of drinks, only the richest Indians can afford to party at these places. The facilities are world class and if it wasn’t for the music interspersed with the latest Bollywood tracks, prompting a frenzied display of dancing from the crowd, you could easily forget you were in India.
Mumbai is the place to come for busy traveler’s hangouts offering a lively atmosphere and cheap beer. The live music venues in Mumbaiare also excellent. Bangalore, with its large blend of expatriates, has a booming pub culture with plenty of live gigs. In addition, some great traditional and rock bands can be found playing in Goa and Delhi.
Outdoor Parties
The hedonistic, hippie state of Goa has developed a reputation for its outdoor psychedelic trance parties, and they’re still in existence to some extent despite tough regulation. The scene has become very underground and impromptu, with parties taking place in remote locations around Anjuna, Vagator, Arambol, Morjim, and Palolem.
Other popular locations for outdoor psychedelic trance parties are around Manaliand Kasol in the state of Himachal Pradesh in northern India, and Guwahati in Assam, innortheast India.
Police presence is an ongoing threat, and many parties are shut down if the required bribe money hasn’t been appropriately paid.
Cultural Performances
From its impoverished background, Kolkata has grown into the cultural capital of India. It’s got much to offer those interested in live dance, drama, and music. Daily evening performances are held at the Rabindra Sadan Cultural Center.
In Mumbai, those interested in cultural performances should head to the National Center for Performing Arts at the tip of Nariman Point. Delhi, as well as the cities of Jaipur and Udaipur in Rajasthan, also have interesting cultural program
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