When the sun goes down in Delhi, it is time to go out and enjoy
everything that this exciting destination has on offer. Whether your
preference is for relaxing in a quiet wine-bar, or letting your hair
down and dancing the night away in a nightclub. Nightlife means fun
and entertainment at night: dance clubs, bars, parties, festivals,
shows, restaurants, live music bands and all that. The idea is to go
out and have good old-fashioned fun.
As well known, Delhi has a long way to go to compete with Mumbai as
the capital of Indian nightlife. In Delhi, it is notoriously
difficult to obtain an alcohol licence and many of the swishest
watering holes and nightclubs are in the five-star international
hotels - with prices to match. Apart from hotels, the watering holes
of Delhi are concentrated around Connaught Place, with various
outposts in the more prosperous southern suburbs. Wine in Delhi is
very expensive and frequently of indifferent quality - those who
wish to drink would be well advised to stick to beer, spirits or
cocktails.
Although clubs and bars are multiplying in Delhi, you still have to
look hard for them. Whenever you feel enjoying like dancing, the
best option probably is to go one of the big hotels that probably
has a private club and bar. It is quite likely that you end up
watching a Hindi film or traditional dance performance, finished off
with a beer or lassi and an early night of sleep.
For current events and entertainment, pick up a copy of the weekly
Delhi Diary or the monthly First City. Djinns located in the Hyatt
Regency, Ring Road, is still a very popular disco-cum-nightclub with
gut-busting music and a dance floor that looks like a meat grinder,
but the fickle 'in' crowd have gravitated in the direction of lounge
bars with trance music. For music and dance performances there's
almost always something on at the India International Centre (40 Max
Mueller Marg, ) or the India Habitat Centre (Lodhi Road, ) where you
can get to enjoy India's finest maestro performances for free. Senso
Ristorante & Bar (33 Basant Lok Community Centre, Vasant Vihar;
tel. 011/2615-5533 or -5534) has a style-conscious, ultra-chic
bar-lounge with a vinyl bar counter, modern white chairs, green
antique-style sofas, and mirrored tables. One interesting evening
shows in Delhi is the sound and light show which is held at Red
Fort. Choice, funky music is always playing, and there are some
worthwhile parties on Saturday nights.
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