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It’s not spoken of in the same breath as Mumbai, Delhi or Goa, but make no mistake, Kolkata’s nascent cocktail scene has blossomed into a diverse set of offerings that can wow any palate. The post-pandemic boom in the city’s dining out culture brought about the rise of some of the best cocktail bars and concepts in the country.
The old-world places such as Trincas, Bar-B-Q and Peter Cat, still command patronage and respect, but a visit to these bars in Kolkata is a different experience. Bookmark these seven bars for your next trip to Kolkata.
1. Mehico
Opening Mehico, a standalone Mexican place in a city that loves its biryanis and Tangra Chinese cuisines, was a game-changer, especially with the cocktails headed by lead mixologist Manoj Singh Rawat, who has already made a name for himself with Sorano, considered one of the best Italian restaurants in Kolkata. At Mehico, whimsical neon bathroom lights and local Mexican street vibes meet technique-forward cocktails such as the Centro Paradiso, a tequila drink garnished with cilantro air and discarded tomato skin with chilli salt, to create a memorable experience.
2. Sienna
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Sienna is a must-visit for any foodie in Kolkata, but the revamped space also hosts an all-day bar featuring their now-famous version of the classic Daiquiri called Lebu Drop from the time they ran Sienna Speakeasy over weekends. New cocktails include seafood and chicken-infused drinks along with more familiar and comforting options. All in all, Sienna’s bar is a place to chill before having a leisurely meal and come back after you’re done to simply chat with the staff.
3. AMPM Kolkata
In a breakout year for Kolkata, AMPM ranked #22 on the 30 Best Bars India 2025 list, and earned the title of the city’s best bar. AMPM has consistently maintained its trophy bar, along with its curated music programme, and patrons have swung in droves to experience a place that feels familiar but also surprises with sophisticated charm and a cocktail menu featuring drinks that hit the spot just right. Be it the Line 25 To Yesterday rum cocktail that comes with a tram ticket as a garnish or the gin-based Gully Fall Sour garnished with local chalchitra art, the cocktail program here pays an ode to the city unlike any other. Don’t miss their food and coffee program that holds on its own with some truly delicious offerings.
4. Little Bit Sober
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Little Bit Sober began in the same week as AMPM Kolkata, and both bars have kept the flag for great drinks flying high with great music, pop-ups and innovative cocktails. Little Bit Sober’s first menu featured one unique ingredient from the state in each cocktail, and the second one goes further with a nod to some celebrated people and guests after whom the drinks have been fashioned. There’s one on Rajan Sethi, the co-founder of AMPM Kolkata, called What A Bar! Talk about bar bonhomie. Not to forget, the place features some delicious bar bites and also hosts music performances.
5. À Ta Maison
Heritage building 1910 Galleria’s grand entrance leads you to À Ta Maison, a low-lit bar that punches above its weight with its drinks programme. Part of Rakshay Dhariwal’s hospitality group that’s known for exceptional places such as PCO, Ping’s, SAZ and Jamun, the bar features drinks that are a play on the city’s classics. There’s The Old Fashioned Coffee House, which is reminiscent of Kolkata’s addas or The Last Tram Paloma, which pays an ode to the city’s trams. The food programme, led by the group’s head chef, Rahul Gomes Pereira, also offers delicious fare, with the Chicken Scallopini and Steamed Bhetki standing out amongst other dishes.
6. Cal-On
The Hyatt Centric Ballygunge Kolkata features Cal On, a rooftop brewery-cum-bar that is at once a cosy date spot and a place to spend hours catching up with your squad. From spirit-forward drinks such as the whisky-based Kay with sugar candy ‘batasha’ or their version of LIIT called Melange, Cal On has a bunch of interesting drinks to keep you company. There’s also a curated list of in-house beers on tap that will keep you sated long after you’ve left the space.
7. Nutcase Etc
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Nutcase Etc opened in February, and features a long Burma teak table where drinks are served omakase-style. With a fermentation lab and games room inside a modest 650 sqft space, the bar is meant to be more of a community space than just a cocktail-forward space. The food menu features small bites, while the drinks menu features inventive drinks like Tangra Town (featuring tequila along with ingredients like bell pepper, scallion, soy and even chicken broth), and Carrot Cake (a rum cocktail along with carrot, orange, walnut bitters and cream cheese) that will have you going back for seconds. Their most popular drink so far is their attempt to recreate sushi in a glass with ingredients such as vodka, sake, nori, mirin, gari and rimmed with wasabi paste that is a must-try as well.