By Sanjana Ray
Four Indian bars have earned a spot on the ‘Asia’s 50 Best Bars For 2025’ extended list, recently released by the prestigious World’s 50 Best organisation. These buzzy establishments — two in Goa and one each in Mumbai and Delhi — are rooted in tradition and culture, sourcing local ingredients for eclectic food and cocktail menus, and sporting edgy interiors and music platforms. Bar Outrigger in Goa made its debut on this year’s list at rank 55, while Delhi’s Sidecar featured for a second year in a row, this time at 62nd spot. The Bombay Canteen in Mumbai ranked 69th, while Goa’s Hideaway came in at 94.
4 Indian bars in Goa, Delhi and Mumbai named on the extended list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars For 2025. How many have you visited?
1. Sidecar, Delhi
Nestled within the bustling hub of Greater Kailash II in South Delhi, this artisanal cocktail bar run by star mixologist Yangdup Lama and entrepreneur Minakshi Singh, the duo behind the award-winning Cocktails & Dreams, Speakeasy, was the first Indian establishment to break into the World’s 50 Best Bars listing, where it ranked 26th. The property spills over two floors, the first offering an easygoing day space with a bookstore by Hachette where guests can browse, read, and buy a curated list of books, while sipping on some homegrown coffee blends, and the floor above boasting of a sleek wooden bar, packed with exciting ingredients, innovative concoctions, and signature cocktails (some classic, some seasonal and most craft), as well as zero proof and low proof drinks, runs across the main wall.
The bar’s latest signature menu doubles up as a collective travelogue, spotlighting exciting destination-based cocktails from 12 exciting locations. Special mentions include Malaysia’s ‘Batik’, made of Tanqueray London Dry Gin, Lacto pineapple kaffir lemongrass cordial, and blue pea infused wine; Bangkok’s ‘Tuk Tuk’ that comes with yellow curry sous vide Patrón Reposado and Elephant apple cordial, and Sri Lanka’s ‘Ceylon’ that mixes Vodka, Miso coconut coffee liqueur, truffle, and cold brew.
2. Bar Outrigger, Goa
Located in the heritage neighbourhood of Dona Paula, Bar Outrigger offers a fitting tribute to the Sunshine State’s rich maritime history, and rum. The 45-seater rum-forward establishment overlooks yachts and fishing boats bobbing in the sea, while fostering a warm interior with soft teal walls, towering planters, a solid wood L-shaped bar, and a communal table at the heart of it all, facilitating easy connection and conversation. Launched by co-founders Arijit Bose and Francis Coelho in Goa in July 2024, the bar is a must-visit for those who’ve often wondered about life at sea. The signature Outrigger cocktail (house rum, triple sec, and lime), the Kingston Negroni (a Caribbean twist on the classic), and the Coffee Painkiller (aged rum, pineapple, orange juice, coconut cream, nutmeg, and coffee), are all a must-try.
3. Hideaway, Goa
Another bar from Goa which made it to the extended list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars For 2025, is the Hideaway, launched in 2019 by Sheldon Abranches, Sidharth Bandal and Nathaniel da Costa. This buzzy property in the touristy beachside village of Vagator is well-known for its frequent, eclectic line-up of independent artist and modern jazz band performances, and a diverse cocktail menu with signature drinks like the bright and light ‘Babylon’, which combines vodka, passion fruit, coconut water and lemongrass oil and ‘End of Day’ that’s made with house blended rum infused with banana, coffee liqueur and a black rice tincture.
4. The Bombay Canteen, Mumbai
Cocktails, cuisine and unmatched service have been the hallmark of The Bombay Canteen since its inception in 2015. The intimate bar at one of Mumbai’s buzziest establishments comes alive with vintage lamps, globe lights and fluted glass, encouraging visitors to converse, connect and unwind. A brainchild of Hunger Inc, Bombay Canteen’s menu is inspired by the country’s culinary ethos, with local and seasonal ingredients being used in infusions, bitters, shrubs and tonics to create a spectacular selection of signature concoctions. The cocktail programme, which includes exciting concoctions like ‘Waiting List’, a highball-style concoction with coconut fat-washed tequila, curry leaf soda and a curry leaf salt rim, and ‘Stolen Kiss’, an innovative blend of tequila, pickled starfruit and pineapple, pays tribute to the untold stories of Mumbai.