Bar Spirit Forward claimed India’s top bar position at the sixth edition of 30BestBarsIndia, with fellow Bangalore venue Soka securing second place. The rankings, unveiled at Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage on January 13, marked a significant shift in India’s bar landscape as traditional metros Mumbai and Delhi lost their grip on top positions.
For the first time in the platform’s six-year history, neither Delhi nor Mumbai featured in the Top 4.
Goa’s Bar Outrigger debuted at third place, while Boilermaker entered at fourth, demonstrating the coastal state’s rapid rise in India’s bar ecosystem.
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Delhi’s highest-ranked venue, Lair, placed fifth. Mumbai’s top entry, Americano, secured tenth position.
Bangalore emerged as the dominant force with six bars in the Top 30 and four in the Top 10.
“We received a record-breaking 1,276 nominations across all award categories this year,” said Vikram Achanta, co-founder of 30BestBarsIndia.
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The geographic distribution reflects India’s evolving bar culture, with venues from nine markets making the list. Twenty bars returned from last year’s rankings, while seven new establishments entered, three breaking directly into the Top 10.
Kolkata recorded its strongest performance with four bars, including three debuts: Nutcase Etc. (15th), Conversation Room (26th), and Little Bit Sober (27th).
“The centre of gravity is clearly shifting away from traditional metros like Bombay and Delhi,” noted Radhakrishnan Nair, co-founder of 30BestBarsIndia.
Special awards reflected broader industry trends. Wine programs gained recognition through a new category, with Captain’s Cellar at Taj Mahal New Delhi, Wine in Progress Bangalore, and Indian Accent Mumbai receiving honors.
Burma Burma Restaurant and Tea Room in Mumbai won Best Non-Alcoholic Menu. Chennai’s Avartana claimed Best Cocktail Menu, beating 56 other entries.
The Colony Bar at Grand Hyatt Kochi secured Best Work in Sustainability for Kerala’s second consecutive year.
Ajay Gowda received the Industry Icon Award for his contributions to Bangalore’s bar scene through ventures including Byg Brewski, Bob’s Bar, and Yaakay.
Best Bartender honors were shared between Macleigh Fernandes (Boilermaker, Goa) and Mayur Marne (Cobbler & Crew, Pune). Boilermaker also won Best Bar Team.
Six luxury hotel bars received recognition across various categories, representing groups including ITC, Oberoi Hotels, Hyatt, Taj, and The Leela Palace.
To read the full list of India’s best bars, visit the 30BestBarsIndia website.
