Delhi’s Hidden Gems: Check Out These Speakeasies In The City

The idea of a speakeasy, which is a hidden bar, came up in the United States during the Prohibition era (1920-1933). These secretive bars operated illegally after the imposition of the 18th Amendment which banned the sale of alcohol in the States among other restrictions. The irresistible need for alcohol paired with a spirit of rebellion led these bars to come up across the country.

The word speakeasy is believed to have been coined by a bar owner named Kate Hester in Pittsburgh. She is believed to have asked her diners to “speak easy” at the unlicensed bar. These bars not only allowed people to come together and enjoy a drink but became a means to fight the Prohibition laws in the country.

These century-old secret bars have now come up in Delhi too— not to evade any restrictions but carry the iconic trend forward. If you are looking for a quiet spot that will not be as crowded as other cocktail bars in the city but will also serve great cocktail, then here’s a roundup of Delhi’s speakeasies.

Noctis

Building on Delhi’s speakeasy scene is Noctis, which came up in the city in July 2025. Staying true to the idea of a hidden bar, you will not find it on Google Maps. Instead, call them and you will be sent a tailor’s appointment slip with the speakeasy’s address. Once you are there (ensure you visit post 7 pm), you will be met with a tailor named Jagdish who will handover a key to you. Turn the key and push the cupboard-like door open to finally find yourself in Noctis, a 30-cover 1920s-themed speakeasy bar in Panchsheel Park. 

Mixologist Ajay Rawat brings his skill to the cocktail menu at the bar. Some must-tries from the menu include the bathtub (gin, dehydrated apricots, peri peri chilli, and topped with foamy soya topping), Silk Road 2.0 (bourbon, molasses, orange zest, wine, vinegar, and a dill finish), and the B&B Amaro (Camikara 3YO, banana, butter, brown sugar, Amaro, and pineapple). Drinks take centre stage at Noctis but are paired with preparations from their compact yet promising food menu. Highlights include their hummus, the prawn roulade, and lamb quesadillas. 

Timings: 7 pm to 1 am 

Price for two: INR 5,000 (with alcohol) 

Pod Delhi

Located inside Savorworks, a chocolate and coffee shop in the GK2 is Pod, is another newly-opened speakeasy in the city. The idea of Pod is to give customers a sense of entering a cacao pod. The theme renders the bar its name and is a way for it to stay true to the location (inside a chocolate shop). 

The cocktails at Pod are inspired by coffee, chocolate, and Thai flavours. Highlights include the whisky-based night shift, mae ping (vodka, green chilli, kaffir lime, lemongrass, ginger & honey, fresh lime, ginger ale, and soda), khao san cream (rum, sake, toasted sesame, raw mango, toasted rice, coconut, and fresh cream). 

Pair your drinks with bar nibbles like fried prawns, yang skewers, and gooey cheese wontons. 

Address: Commercial Complex, 9, Masjid Moth, Greater Kailash 2, New Delhi, Delhi 110048

Timings: 5 pm to 1 am 

PCO

One of Delhi’s most well-known speakeasies, Pass Code Only (PCO) embodies the mystique of the Prohibition Era and lets you enter only after entering a weekly passcode on a rotary phone. Either call the bar or become a part of their list of patrons to receive the code. 

Some must-try cocktails from their menu include lavender tonic (gin, tonic, basil leaves, and lavender bitters), not for check in (Bombay Sapphire, lime, kaffir lime, strawberry pectin, and coconut syrup), and dark and stormy (dark rum, ginger ale, and lime). 

They offer a range of bar bites and small plates. Highlights include avocado tostadas, crunchy chicken strips, and mushroom and goat cheese croquettes.

Address: D-4, D Block Market, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi

Price for two: INR 3,500 

Timings: 5:30 pm to 1 am 

NOE 921 

Located at The Hotel Diplomat, NOE 921 is an intimate and quiet speakeasy in Chanakyapuri. Walk through the restaurant and you will come across two doors— one opens up in a restroom, the other leads you into the speakeasy bar. 

The drinks menu is as compact yet good as the food menu. It offers an omakase experience where instead of a set menu, the bartender will present you with a list of flavours including coffee with gin, mango ginger with whisky, and bael sherbet with vodka. Choose your preferred flavour and he will craft a drink for you. Pair it with small bites and bar nibbles like mahi mahi sashimi, baked beetroot, and crispy bacon-fried prawns. 

Address: NOE, Diplomatic Enclave, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi

Read more: Behind Unmarked Doors Lurks India’s Secret Cocktail Revolution

Also read: From Seoul To Delhi: How Students Are Turning Cafés Into Study Hubs