The Drink List: 16 Best Bars in Guwahati
The city of Guwahati has opened its doors again. After being closed for more than 3 months, an outcome of the measures taken to contain the pandemic, the watering holes in the city have been allowed to open partially from 10 AM to 5 PM. Although not the favorite hours to open for anyone in this business that too with closed on weekends however knowing Guwahati’s love for having a good time, this is certainly a good start.
Guwahati, the biggest city in Northeast India and with inhabitants who prefer a certain kind of lifestyle, has plenty of bars and pubs opening and leaving the business.
Like the city, the bar culture is an ever-evolving one. We have made a list of 16 places in contemporary Guwahati that makes it to our favorite list. If you live in Guwahati, you should drink at them all. If you are visiting this city, check out as many as you can. Some are themed, some are bars but there is a bit of everything in all of them.
Shanghai Salsa
Address: 37 Ambikagiri Nagar Road Leelamoni Medicos, Hatigarh Chariali, Guwahati, Assam 781024 Reservations: +91- 8876688644 , +91- 09864630403
Located slightly in a bye lane that is more of a residential zone rather than a commercial hub, Shanghai Salsa is a pub with beach décor. The cocktails are great, beer is cold and the food is awesome. The weekend acoustic gigs are an added perk.
The Root Barrel
Address: 7th Floor, Exotica Greens, Guwahati, Assam 781005 Reservations: + 91- 8011989080
This rooftop restaurant is more of outdoor experience in an indoor setting. It has two floors of outdoor sitting and a small part of the indoor setting. Root Barrel was conceptualized on a brewing model, wherein a Belgian technology of producing was introduced to Guwahati.
Freemasons Brew Works
Address: 5th Floor, City Centre Mall, GS Rd, near Apollo Hospital, Guwahati, Assam 781005 Reservations: +91–91277 53777, +91–8851752230
This is supposedly the largest microbrewery in Guwahati. A fairly new concept to the city, Freemasons Brew Works has interiors inspired by German beer gardens and their specialty is not just crafted German Beer but a plethora of cocktails and other spirits. The foo dos typically continental but the menu is limited.
Underdoggs Sports and Grill Bar
Address: 1st Central Mall, GS Rd, Christian Basti, Guwahati, Assam 781005 Reservations: +91- 98540 45678, +91–8709731872
This sports bar is well located and has an easily accessible lounge. With sporting actions from across the world being displayed in more than 30 high definition plasma screens, this huge 6500 sq. area a zone lined up with activities. You are never alone in Underdoggs even if you enter alone. The food menu is an extensive one, the service professional and everyone knows what they are supposed to do.
Brooklyn Blues
Address: 4th floor, Dona Planet Mall, G. S. Road, Guwahati, Assam 781005 Reservations: +91 93659 75278
A quaint essential casual pub in Guwahati, Brooklyn Blues is a youngster’s hangout zone. The ambiance is vibrant and the wall paintings emit the reggae feel. The food and drinks are sure to keep you glued to the table and the paintings of Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix, and Elvis Presley sure enhances the mood.
Sura Vie
Address: 4th Floor, the Hub Mall, GS Rd, Bhangagarh, Guwahati, Assam 781007 Reservations: +91- 9706075277
While many argue that it can get overcrowded occasionally in Sura Vie, well you cannot blame when everyone wants a view of the great view, can you? The menu doesn’t provide too many choices, some even consider it plain, and nevertheless, and it is a great place to hang out in the center of the city. Dubbed as a bar and a grill, Sura Vie surely makes a point to give you a tipsy 360 degrees view of the city center
Urban Mantra Zoo Road
Address: 3rd Floor, Kaziranga Tower, RG Baruah Rd, above Nexa Showroom, Guwahati, Assam 781021 Reservations: +91- 99575 77096
Now, this is the second edition or rather the second outlet of Urban Mantra lunge in Guwahati. The new outlet is a chic design and offers a more spacious ambiance compared to its other venture on GS Road. Slightly deviating from its casual feel, this one at Zoo Road offers a wide range of premium beverages and the food menu is exhaustive. Urban Mantra Zoo Road is sophistication priced right!
Dunkin’s Oza
Address: GS Rd, Opp. Pantaloons, Down Town, Guwahati, Assam 781036 Reservations: +91- 98540 81999 +91- 94350 10518
Dunkin Oza is a multi-cuisine new generation pub in Guwahati. In a street, where there is a variety of water holes for the customers to choose from, this place has its fair share of loyalists. The weekends are a blast here, so if you do not hear the live bands, be sure that a DJ will keep your foot tapping. The menus have plenty of choices but the occasional entry fees that Dunkin Oza levies and are not even adjusted as cover charges can be an occasional dampener.
Cafe Hendrix
Address: GS Road Opp Pantaloons Down Town, Dispur, Rukmini Gaon, Guwahati, Assam 781022 Reservations: +91- 98640 21111
This is one of the oldest pubs in Guwahati where live performances were introduced, special old rock and roll music. If you love the classics, great pub food and a fantastic range of drinks, Café Hendrix is the place to be. This place thrives on the old school marketing formulae of word-of-mouth. Not very keen on digital promotions, Café Hendrix is old school charm with new age beverages.
Nuts and Brew
Address: 3rd Floor, Above Forever 21, GS Rd, in front of Novotel Hotel, Guwahati, Assam 781006 Reservations: +91–69012 67854
Another of those few upcoming microbreweries, Nuts and Bolts is a new kid on the block, establishment as well as concept-wise. The food is fantastic and the drinks menu is tempting. A nice place to socialize, Nuts and Brew has a great location and ambiance. If you are thinking of rooftop barbeque, multiple DJs, and a Beer pong tournament, this is the place to be.
The Socialite
Address: Tirupati Tower, 3rd, GS Rd, Purvadoy, Guwahati, Assam 781005 Reservations: +91- 84719 39703 +91–7002605055
This is a lively pub that boasts of some great fusion food. Live performances at the Socialite are sought after events in the city. With minimal decor, this is a nice hangout zone if you are not in the mood to experiment. The menu is nice and doesn’t require much understanding and it goes well with the great cocktails available there.
The Whiskey
Address: 191 Exotica Greens, 6th Floor, 604, Block A, RG Baruah Rd, Guwahati, Assam 781005 Reservations: +91- 97062 65533, +91–7578918040
A relatively new place in Guwahati, much like a lot on this list, the Whiskey is a small cozy place in the center of the city. They have a balcony with a great view, but on weekends you might have to jostle for space. They have a range of drinks and the food compliments well with the beverages. A good place if your group is small.
Reign — Raddison Blu Hotel
Address: National Highway 37, Gotanagar, Guwahati, Assam 781033 Reservations: +91–361 710 0100
This resto-bar is part of the Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati, The extensive menu of wines, spirits, and cocktails go well with food from a well-set kitchen. A groovy place for people who prefer a good night out in the city and very relatable to visitors acquainted with the Radisson Blu brand, Reign although on the outskirts of the city is a great place to unwind. This place is nearer to the airport.
Octave- Vivanta by Taj
Address: Vivanta, 613, Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev Path, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam 781022 Reservations: +91- 361 710 6710
An upscale lounge bar, Octave is part of the Vivanta by Taj hotel. With plush leather sofas and an adjoining fresco area, this place is high life in Guwahati. There is a huge selection of food from the chef’s menu and boasts of wonderful cocktails and an extensive range of premium drinks. A great place to gather with your friends if you have a slightly higher budget in mind.
NYX- Hotel Palacio
Address: 3rd Floor Hotel Palacio, GS Rd, Above Poddar Car World, Guwahati, Assam 781022 Reservations: +91- 361 710 1020, +91- 95085 55558
A rooftop resto-lounge and bar, which is also part of Hotel Palacio, Nyx never fails to disappoint you. Perhaps this is the only place in Guwahati that offers a gentleman’s night on Tuesdays where you get to buy premium drinks at retail prices and served on the table. The service is efficient and prompt and the location is great.
Malt — Novotel Hotel
Address: Novotel Guwahati GS Road, Downtown Dispur, Guwahati, Assam 781006 Reservations: +91 -75778 84004
A chic lounge bar, Malt is part of the Novotel hotel in the city. With a vivid collection of premium whiskeys and cocktails, they host live performances every Thursday. The food is a world-class Novotel style. A fairly new place like the hotel itself, the staff in Malt has been trained well to do their job. The interiors are stunning compared to the somewhat dull look of the hotel itself. A great place to get high.
Along with the rest of the growing cities in India, Guwahati is fast catching up to the spirit. They say you can always judge a city by the nightlife it provides. Though bars and pubs are yet to see the volumes they enjoy in other metro cities across the country, the rise of themed high spirited watery holes is very promising. Most of these places are home-grown standalone outlets, and hence are adjustable to changes.
Originally published at http://beardedtravelingsoul.com on August 5, 2020.
