5 Cocktail Bars to Check Out in Bengaluru

Back in August, I finally made my first trip to Bengaluru, a city I’d always associated more with great food, coffee, and craft beer than cocktails. But what I found surprised me. Behind the city’s tech-fueled energy and leafy neighborhoods, there’s a growing cocktail movement that’s equal parts experimental, grounded, and full of personality.

Bengaluru’s bartenders aren’t trying to imitate anyone else. They’re carving out their own rhythm, blending global influences with local flair. From hotel hideaways that channel Tokyo precision to neighborhood bars that make you feel instantly at home, the city’s cocktail culture is clearly on the rise and very much worth exploring.

Here are five bars that stood out during my visit, each offering a different expression of what makes Bengaluru’s scene so exciting right now.

1. ZLB 23: A taste of a Japanese speakeasy

Tucked discreetly inside The Leela Palace, ZLB 23 feels like you’ve stepped into another world. The space draws clear inspiration from Tokyo’s high-end cocktail dens: minimalist, dimly lit, and guided by an almost meditative attention to detail.

Every element, from the lighting to the way ice is cut, feels intentional. Cocktails are elegant, perfectly balanced, and served with quiet confidence. It’s the kind of place where craftsmanship takes center stage.

Highlight Cocktail: Picante, bright, citrusy, and lightly spiced, with just enough heat to wake up the palate. A refined yet punchy drink that shows how precision and flavor can coexist beautifully.

2. Soka: Big personality in a small package

If ZLB 23 is about restraint, Soka is all about energy. Located in a cozy corner of the city, this small bar packs a serious punch. The vibe is instantly welcoming: bright, social, and full of character.

What Soka does best is infuse fun into the craft without losing its edge. The bartenders are as engaging as they are skilled, and the playlist and crowd create the kind of lively atmosphere you hope to stumble upon in any city.

Highlight Cocktail: Lady Kutty, a playful, whisky-based highball that’s creamy, tropical, and incredibly easy to drink. It carries a subtle nuttiness and a touch of sweetness that fits perfectly with Soka’s bold personality.

3. Bar Sama: The new kid on the block

Among the city’s newer openings, Bar Sama stands out for its design and confidence. The space is sleek yet inviting, the lighting warm, and the service sharp but easygoing. It’s modern without being pretentious, the kind of bar that makes a strong first impression and keeps you coming back.

The menu focuses on flavor-first cocktails with clean execution. Nothing overcomplicated, just smart balance and solid technique.

Highlight Cocktail: Sabba-tini, a savory, aromatic martini twist that’s crisp and herbaceous with a whisper of brine. It’s elegant and grown-up, the sort of cocktail that reveals its layers slowly.

4. Muro: More than just a restaurant

At first glance, Muro might seem like a restaurant first and foremost, and that’s part of its charm. The kitchen is strong, but the bar is what turns the meal into an experience.

The drinks are designed to complement the food yet stand tall on their own. The attention to flavor balance and creative use of culinary ingredients make it one of Bengaluru’s most exciting restaurant-bar hybrids.

Highlight Cocktail: Dirty Ceviche, bright, savory, and layered with umami. It tastes fresh and vibrant, with a subtle coastal salinity that ties beautifully with Muro’s seafood-driven kitchen.

5. Bar Spirit Forward: Everyone’s nightcap bar

Rounding off the list is Bar Spirit Forward, the kind of spot that instantly feels like home. It’s cozy, unfussy, and effortlessly cool, a place where the lighting is soft and the welcome is warm.

This is the bar where the city winds down. Whether you’re on your first drink or your last, it feels like the perfect final stop.

Highlight Cocktail: Southern Star, juicy, tropical, and gently spiced. The mix of fruit and heat creates a sunset-in-a-glass vibe, the perfect way to end a night in Bengaluru.

Final Sip

Bengaluru’s cocktail landscape might still be in its early stages compared to more established scenes in Mumbai or Delhi, but it’s evolving fast. What stood out to me most was the curiosity, passion, and pride among local bartenders. They’re experimenting, learning, and creating an identity that feels completely their own.

There’s a growing confidence here, and you can feel it in every drink, every conversation, and every service. If my first visit was a taste of what’s to come, then Bengaluru’s cocktail story is just getting started, and it’s one worth keeping an eye on.