Where to Drink Craft Beer in Delhi

Delhi's craft beer scene centres on the Bira 91 Taproom in Cyber Hub, Social and Summer House Cafe around Hauz Khas, and Cocktails and Dreams Speakeasy in Gurgaon. Expect to pay ₹300-600 ($3.60-7) per pint. The scene has grown fast since 2015, and you now have access to IPAs, wheat beers, stouts, and seasonal brews that weren't available a few years ago.

Best Craft Beer Spots

Bira 91 Taproom: Cyber Hub, Gurgaon

India's most recognisable craft beer brand has its flagship taproom in Cyber Hub (technically Gurgaon, but just across the Delhi border and reachable by metro). They pour 8-10 beers on tap that rotate seasonally, including variants you won't find in bottles, barrel-aged stouts, limited IPAs, and experimental sours.

Cost: ₹350-500 ($4-6) per pint. Happy hour: 12-7 PM, reduced prices on select taps. Metro: Sikanderpur (Yellow Line), then the Rapid Metro to Cyber City. Vibe: Modern, open-air seating, after-work crowd on weekdays.

Summer House Cafe: Hauz Khas

A first-floor bar and terrace above Aurobindo Place market, a short auto ride from Hauz Khas Village, and a fixture of South Delhi nights for over a decade. It is a general bar and gig venue rather than a specialist taproom, so ask what is on before you order. The draw is the rooftop and the music, which runs most nights of the week.

Cost: ₹300-500 ($3.60-6) per pint; cocktails ₹500-800. Best for: Terrace drinks from sunset onwards; live music on weekends. Metro: Green Park (Yellow Line), then a short walk.

Social: Multiple Locations

Social operates in Hauz Khas, Connaught Place, Nehru Place, and several other spots. Part co-working space, part bar, they serve a solid range of craft beers and have some of the more reasonable prices in the city. The Hauz Khas branch in Hauz Khas Village has the best atmosphere.

Cost: ₹250-400 ($3-5) per pint. Happy hour: Most locations run deals from 12-7 PM.

The Beer Cafe: Multiple Locations

India's biggest dedicated beer chain, with branches in Connaught Place (inner circle), Nehru Place, and Cyber Hub. They stock 50+ beer varieties, including several Indian craft options. The CP branch is convenient for tourists.

Cost: ₹300-500 ($3.60-6) per pint. Best for: When you want options, their menu has more variety than any single bar in Delhi. Metro: Rajiv Chowk (Yellow/Blue Line) for CP branch.

Cocktails and Dreams Speakeasy: Sector 15, Gurgaon

Despite the name, they stock an excellent craft beer selection. Open since 2012 and run by bartenders Yangdup Lama and Minakshi Singh, it is designed as a 1920s speakeasy: dim lighting, leather seating, and an easy-to-miss entrance in the Sector 15 Part 2 market. The beer menu focuses on Indian craft.

Cost: ₹400-600 ($5-7) per pint. Best for: A proper night out. Dress code is smart casual.

Indian Craft Beer Brands to Try

If you're new to Indian craft beer, these are the brands worth seeking out:

• Bira 91, the most widely available. The White (wheat beer) and Blonde (lager) are solid everyday drinks. Their IPA is the best mass-market IPA in India.
• White Rhino, brewed in Malanpur, Madhya Pradesh, one of India's original craft breweries. Their Belgian Wit and Indian Pale Ale are clean and well-made.
• Simba, Stout and Wit variants are the standouts. Slightly cheaper than Bira.
• Kati Patang, Himalayan-branded wheat beers and lagers. Light, easy drinking.
• Goa Brewing Co., Available at some Delhi bars. Their Eight Finger Eddie IPA is worth trying.

Where to Buy Craft Beer (Takeaway)

If you prefer drinking at your hotel or guesthouse:

Liquor shops (thekas) in Delhi are all government-run, and stock varies a lot from vend to vend. The larger stores in South Delhi and central Delhi, including the premium government vends inside malls, carry bottled craft like Bira 91, White Rhino, and Simba. A 330ml bottle costs ₹200-350 ($2.40-4). Across the border in Gurgaon, private shops carry a far wider selection.

Drinking Rules in Delhi

A few things to know:

• Legal drinking age is 25, carry a photo ID. Upscale bars enforce this strictly.
• No public drinking, drinking outside licensed establishments is illegal and fined ₹5,000
• Dry days, on national holidays like Republic Day (26 Jan), Independence Day (15 Aug), and Gandhi Jayanti (2 Oct), no alcohol is sold anywhere. Some election days are also dry. Check before planning a big night out.
• Last call is typically midnight to 1 AM depending on the venue
• Bars close on government-declared dry days, usually 3-4 per year

Pairing Beer With Delhi's Nightlife

Most craft beer venues double as nightlife spots after 9 PM. Hauz Khas Village bars get crowded on weekends, go before 8 PM if you want a seat. Cyber Hub in Gurgaon is the most concentrated bar district, with 15+ venues within walking distance. Connaught Place has a mix of heritage bars and newer craft spots.

How Much Does Craft Beer Cost in Delhi?

Craft beer in Delhi costs ₹300-600 ($3.60-7) per pint at most bars. Bira 91 Taproom charges ₹350-500 per pint depending on the variant. Cocktail-focused bars price beers at ₹400-550. Happy hour deals at places in Hauz Khas Village and Connaught Place can bring prices down to ₹200-300. Bottled craft beers from shops cost ₹200-350 per 330ml.

What Are the Legal Drinking Hours in Delhi?

Bars and restaurants in Delhi can serve alcohol from 10 AM to 1 AM. Most bars open around 12 noon and close at midnight or 1 AM. Liquor shops (thekas) typically operate from 10 AM to 10 PM. The legal drinking age in Delhi is 25, this is strictly enforced at upscale bars and hotel venues, less so at neighbourhood bars. Always carry photo ID.

Can You Drink Alcohol in Public in Delhi?

No. Public drinking is illegal in Delhi and carries a fine of ₹5,000 or potential arrest. This includes streets, parks, parking lots, and outside liquor shops. Drinking is only permitted inside licensed restaurants, bars, hotels, and private residences. The rule is enforced, especially in central Delhi and near government buildings.