LOQA: The Experimental Cocktail Room Hyderabad Has Been Waiting For!

I walked in expecting yet another large-scale bar or restaurant that Hyderabad seems to churn out endlessly, but instead, I found something avant-garde. There’s a certain thrill when a space finally meets the city’s craving. LOQA, Hyderabad's newest and perhaps most daring entry into the cocktail scene, is more than just a cocktail bar. It’s a shift. A sensory leap. A delicious rebellion. 

LOQA marks the next chapter for Rohit Kasuganti and Anisha Deevakonda's TSK Food Works—the brilliant minds behind Telangana Spice Kitchen and Terrāi. If you’ve spent any time in Hyderabad, you’ve likely found yourself at their table. While both TSK and Terrāi celebrate the rich traditions of South Indian cuisine, LOQA doesn’t pay homage to tradition; it dares to remix it.

The Space

The name LOQA comes from Lōkaṁ, which in Telugu means the universe or a plane of existence, and stepping into their space truly feels like entering a new, different plane of existence. It is an intimate setting, with every detail carefully curated. Inspired by the Japanese Omakase style, your food and drinks are thoughtfully prepared right before you.

There is intention in every element: projections that read “the only way out of the labyrinth is in”, retro TVs placed around the bar, precise mood lighting, and bamboo rods that ripple across the ceiling like a wave. Every detail is part of a larger narrative designed to transport you.

The Drinks

While LOQA may present itself as a haven for misfits, there’s an undeniable sense of synergy that binds the experience together, and you will find it in its cocktail program, where storytelling, nostalgia, and rebellion pour into each glass. In fact, every server is also a trained bartender, adding yet another layer of cohesion to your experience.

Their bar philosophy thrives on layered storytelling and experimentation— and we can feel it in their house-made tinctures and unexpected flavour pairings, which converge to form an experience that is sensorial and cerebral in equal measure.

I started with a smoky, complex blend of Creyente mezcal, matcha, green apple, and almond acids. The name itself is a cheeky nod: What Ra matcha? a play on a popular phrase in the South. 

Then came Push People: a heady mix of Singleton 12, Talisker clear, oolong tea, bitters, pineapple, and the unmistakable fizz of cola. 

I confess I am partial to Not A F***ing Fanta: premium tequila, Aperol, German bitters, grapefruit, and soda. Anyone who knows me knows I’m firmly anti-tequila, yet this was my favourite drink of the night — that is how you know you are in for surprises at LOQA and in a different realm. 

Then came Road No. 999: with Tanqueray No.10, sake, and a floral vermouth blend. Again, a play on what we call our roads in Hyderabad, such as Road No. 36, 45, 12, 10, and so on. There isn't an actual road number 999, but it can be found on this plane of existence. 

Nothing surprised me more than the rich decadence of Dream Sequence: an espresso martini with dark chocolate and 3-berry cordial to the absolutely wild Fifth Dimension that’s vodka with carbonated yogurt and curry leaf tempering, a nod to Perugu Annam (curd rice) and we ended our night with it as we end our meals in Telangana — again, a nod to how LOQA remixes tradition. 

The Food 

Just like the drinks, the food menu at LOQA is clever, playful, and full of surprises. It doesn’t lean on cliches, it reinvents them. They serve only small plates, but trust me, this way you’ll have space to try everything. And you’ll want to.

Start with Spicy Nuts, dusted in a house-blended masala you’ll want bottled. The LOQA Cheese Board comes with a stunning blueberry compote, lemon dip, and honey chilli honey that deserves its own write-up — we ordered this dish twice. 

Then came the Avakai Cheese Kulchas that just melt, and Dosa Aligot Crisps that remind you of home. The Spiced Prawn Tacos were a standout, and so was the Maggie in Malaysia. If you enjoy Thai food and Maggie (and who doesn’t?), this one's for you. 

But my favourite moment of the night? Mutton Biryani in Takeout Boxes! They know their audience—there is not a person in Hyderabad who does not appreciate biryani, and after a night out, it’s warm, comforting, and the perfect takeaway choice. 

And there’s so much more to explore — from a playful popcorn mix tossed in butter, peri-peri, or truffle-parmesan, to their House Pickle Platter, Tacos 65 with green chilli thecha and Paneer 65, Andhra-spiced fried chicken, saffron ghee chicken, duck cutlets, and more.

ELLE Gourmet’s Verdict

Many elements can make or break a space: ambience, design, and lighting. But without a well-curated menu and genuine hospitality, even the most stunning setting can fall flat. The founders and team at LOQA bring hospitality forward with creative intuition and have curated a menu that is both avant-garde and comforting.

For someone who has spent years searching for a space in Hyderabad that felt both intelligent and indulgent, LOQA feels like a revelation — and it’s exactly what this city’s been looking for.