Where we’re drinking. ♦
Like many other Connaught Place venues, DV8 is an institution — but one that has changed with the times. In the late ’60s, this was The Cellar, Delhi’s first real night spot, which defined the decade to come for many people. With The Cellar’s passing went the hippies and the rockers and the bell-bottomed hipsters that made that era of the Delhi night their own, but we think its late ’90s reincarnation is still a good place to catch a drink.
You’ll find college students and backpackers rather than hippies, and businessmen rather than rockers, but the choice of liquor is groovy (try the cocktails and dessert drinks), the multi-cuisine bar snacks are seriously good, and the sheen on the wood panelling and leather sofas has an old-world charm. The venue’s also a staple for live music events on its stage, cunningly situated above the bar, and has played host to many of Delhi’s rock bands. The bar is blue and lit from within and it casts quite an attractive glow on proceedings, never mind who you’re there with.
Despite the fact that the music never deviates much from classic rock and pop and the clientele is often suited-booted due to the location in CP, there’s something both
comfy and keyed up about the place. Oh, and don’t worry about the roadside location; they have valet parking. The good vibes continue at DV8, a worthy successor to The Cellar.
This story was originally published in Time Out Delhi.