Recently, all of social media has been roaring with the idea of restaurants and pubs that are a little…underground — both physically and metaphorically. People love the idea of visiting niche, underrated spaces that aren’t mainstream. Another thing that people enjoy in terms of their food is a niche, curated eating experience. Since we live in an age where cafe interiors, food and ethos have become homogenised, speakeasy bars have found themselves in the spotlight. Cozy, chic and artisanal, speakeasy bars are inspired by the prohibition era and the historical success of them worldwide. Here are some new Speakeasy bars around India that you should check out!
Tokyo Diner, Chennai
Amidst the rise of Japanese cuisine in Chennai, Tokyo Diner’s 10-course menu stands out bright! Located behind an unassuming shelf along Khader Nawasker Road, this diner serves up a different menu every day, and each dish undergoes a 6-month-long trial by chefs. Tradition meets innovation in all of their dishes, drawing inspiration from chef-driven restaurants popular in Japan. It’s interesting that the man behind this diner — Sandesh Reddy — explains that this speakeasy was born out of luck. They wanted to open a Japanese restaurant, but could not find space in an already crowded Nungambakkam, which led them to lean into the idea of making the most of very little space.
Loulou Cocktail Bar, Goa
Loulou is a 20-seater cocktail lounge, discreetly located on top of a restaurant. Loulou’s interiors are to be noted here — a vast room headlined by a 110-year-old John Broadwood piano, visitors say it is straight out of a Parisian dream, where dark tones, vintage colours, and velvet intersect. This place is for the kind of visitors who go out of their way to have a non-cheap-beers-by-the-beach experience, will find their groove at Loulou’s.
ZLB 23, Bangalore
ZLB brings Kyoto right to the heart of Namma Bengaluru. This speakeasy at the Leela Palace has a secret access through a working kitchen and actual operating back-of-house areas of the hotel. Dark and moody, the 1920s-inspired interior is chic, sophisticated and designed for guests to unwind and indulge in live jazz, finely crafted cocktails and the best Japanese whiskeys! ZLB 23 boasts a hush of sophistication. Savour the iconic Kyoto Sunrise, a nod to Japanese flavours, or discover a menu full of inventive and tantalizing creations that are created as a tribute to Japan’s flavours.
Madco, Chennai
Tucked away in the leafy lanes of Teynampet, Madras Cocktail Company (fondly known as MadCo) is where Chennai’s after-hours crowd flocks when they want something a little more refined, a little more surprising. MadCo is all about drama — not in the noisy, overcrowded way, but in the way it plays with flavour, presentation, and space. From smoked cocktails under cloches to twists on local classics (ever had a Madras Mule with curry leaf syrup?), the menu is curated with thought and flair. What stands out most, though, is how much it leans into Chennai’s roots without ever being predictable. The drinks nod to Tamil flavours; the bar bites take inspiration from familiar street food and turn it gourmet. Think Kozhi Roast Bao, Podi-Crusted Fries, and a filter coffee martini that’s anything but cliché.
Words Neeraja Sreenivasan
25.06.2025