It all begins with a plain-faced, abnormal little door—one that’s often mistaken for a storeroom or a forgotten cupboard, probably stuffed with brooms and mops. We must never dare open that door, because to our naked, naive eyes it holds no significance. It simply does not exist.
Delhi’s latest obsession with speakeasies has, in all honesty, reached peak mockery. What began as a ‘hush-hush’ concept rooted in secrecy has lost its edge in the age of social media.
During a chat, a close friend recounted her experience at PCO—a first for most people. “It felt a touch shady in the beginning,” she said, sipping her gin and tonic at one of our weekly luncheons. “You had to whisper a passcode before they let you in.”
At its very core, a ‘speakeasy’ is born from the desire to create a space that feels exclusive, sketchy, tucked away, and far removed from the mundane crowd. It’s very much an if you know, you know kind of place.
A few months ago, my food-writer privilege led me to one such hidden bar behind a sandwich shop (iykyk; clears throat). And the only way to find it was through someone who knew the route—there was no signboard, no Instagram page, not even a Google address. For heaven’s sake, the person guiding us could have passed for a potential kidnapper, but we went along anyway. And what waited behind those doors was an entirely different world altogether.
Fast forward to now, and I find myself scrolling past posts and reels that casually give away the charm of that once-secret speakeasy. I’ve even spotted bagpipers guiding and openly luring the crowd into this so-called “hidden” gem.
Last evening, in the line of my food-critic duties, I found myself stepping into what looked like a completely random salon in South Delhi. Inside, the space was cold and oddly deserted. My eyes briefly wandered to the neatly lined hair products—“oh, hair products”, I thought, before I snapped back to the man behind the counter. We exchanged polite hellos and held eye contact just long enough for me to say, “I need to go upstairs.”
“Do you have a booking?” he asked, hesitantly.
Once confirmed, he led us to an elevator that quietly carried us to the third floor. As the doors slid open, the scene shifted entirely—I stepped into a dimly lit bar.
Welcome to Delhi’s latest well-kept “secret”.
The space was dimly lit, just enough to guide us as I made our way to a far corner. Staying true to the concept, the chairs across the bar—the first thing you notice as you enter—replicated classic salon chairs, only elevated with better leather quality and a sturdier build.
The window panels were shaped like oval salon mirrors, and the space oscillated between delicate shades of turquoise and warm wooden accents. Sleek, cohesive, and unmistakably on brand, this salon-themed bar boasted some of the most thoughtfully styled detailing and furniture I’d seen in a while.
As a fashion connoisseur—and an alleged shopaholic—my gaze naturally gravitates toward anything and everything that’s visually alluring. During a moment of interior inspection, I found myself drawn to a petite sofa chair adorned with on-trend fringe detailing. It featured a soft, muted green hue and a rounded silhouette, with long, flowing fringe cascading from the edge of the seat cushion. For a moment, I wondered if it belonged to one of the Kardashian-Jenners, before realising I may have been confusing it with a chair I’d seen on Pinterest. Alas, this particular beauty wasn’t on sale.
Diving straight into business, I began with drinks: The Spicy Blowout, Blush & Bloom, and a Martini.
If savoury cocktails are your thing, ask the bartender for the Spicy Blowout—an off-menu fiery number. The sharp hit of bird’s eye chilli paired with a tequila concussion takes you on a thrilling, slightly unhinged ride (in the best way possible). For those leaning toward berry-forward and subtly sweet profiles, Blush & Bloom is the move. Not sugary, but beautifully balanced, it’s finished with gentle fizz and soft floral notes. And if you’re feeling a little flirty and sensational—much like the writer herself—you can never go wrong with a martini, well-shaken and infused with the warm essence of African wood. And the olive, oh, the olive stuffed with cream cheese made the experience even more delightful.
This bar didn’t bother with the usual “bar bites.” In fact, there were none to speak of. Instead, it served miniatures of everything you’d want to devour once the drinks hit.
The classic chicken sandos arrived as tiny burgers, housing the crispiest, most flavourful patty, with kimchi sauce generously slathered on the bun and a pickle tucked right in the middle—oh my. I could easily eat ten of those. The broccoli and chestnut dumpling, resting in a bed of garlicky peanut sauce, was perhaps the most confronting thing one could attempt while slightly tipsy. The hummus and lamb were tender, lightly spiced, and utterly divine, served alongside the softest bread. And the tamarind prawns are something you’d better not miss.
While most bars let their alcohol programme take centre stage, this one didn’t let the food fall behind. Instead, the menu felt intentionally structured, striking a considered balance between finger food and full-fledged main courses. And for dessert, I’d say… who eats dessert at a speakeasy? But if a sugar craving does strike, there’s just enough to make you stay a little longer.
On that note, I know most of you are eager for the name and location. But if you’re asking what the place is like overall, I’d say it’s delightful—not just for the aesthetics, but because the bar and food programme are genuinely impressive.
The cocktail programme follows the classic speakeasy philosophy: timeless drinks are the real crowd-pleasers. The menu features familiar favourites, but with subtle contemporary twists and imaginative touches that keep each cocktail both comforting and unexpectedly exciting. You’ll also find playful ingredients like chilli, coriander, white chocolate, and even cream cheese in some of the drinks.
As for the name, how about you discover it the old-fashioned way… through word of mouth? Trust us, someone out there knows about a speakeasy hidden away above a hair salon.
