I found myself in a usual Delhi traffic jam on an unusually-hot March afternoon as I made my way to the Chidya Ghar bar at the Roseate House in Aerocity. Started in 2016, it is Delhi’s only all-women-run bar, and it aims to make a statement in defiance of the stereotypes around women and alcohol in India. Today, it is run by a team of three young and amazing ladies, including Lead Mixologist Chanyo Kashung.
The Star Drink
“’The Idealist’ is my all-time favourite and I would love to prepare that for you,” Kashung said with a broad smile on her face, as though waiting to spotlight her star cocktail. Within minutes, she hopped out of her chair and paced behind the bar counter. Her love for the craft shone as she whipped up my drink.
Its looks, though, weren’t the only proof; a sip was more proof of her love for mixology. The tequila-based Idealist arrived looking irresistible. Fairly smooth on the palate, the drink is aromatic with each ingredient coming to the fore ever so slyly. For me, the kaffir lime that not only balanced the cosmetic after taste of tequila, also made the drink fragrant. It was lemony, zesty, and refreshing.
Drinks Menu
Another iconic drink from the Chidya Ghar menu, and most patrons’ favourite, is J&K. It is a refreshing blend of gin, lemon juice, and rosemary. Muddled and shaken to perfection, the drink is garnished with a cucumber slice or rosemary, and topped with tonic water.
The Desert Rose, a gin-based drink, is another must-try signature cocktail at Chidya Ghar. The taste of the rosemary-infused drink is elevated with cucumber, blueberry compote, lime juice, and sugar syrup.
Kashung’s final recommendation was NRI, a bourbon whiskey-based drink elevated by a dash or two of angostura and a pungent bitter made with 36 botanicals. Other ingredients include lime, pineapple juice, and sugar.
What’s More?
To accompany the well-crafted tipples, I went with the guacamole toast from their compact bar food menu. The guac was freshly prepared, and topped with parsley and cherry tomatoes that grew in a small organic garden at the hotel. I enjoyed every bite of my toast. Their wild mushroom ragout bruschetta was mediocre and slightly bland for my liking.
As a vegetarian, I asked Kashung for her recommendation for all the meat-eaters out here. According to her, she always prefers chicken 65 and Lahori tawa macchi to go with her drinks.
Vibe Check
When at the bar, you can choose to be comfortable in their sofas and chairs lined around teak-wood tables or enjoy a drink on one of the high chairs next to the bar counter. I had made my choice.
As I settled in one of the sofas, I finally felt detached from the pace of the city. The deep blue walls, and cider brown furniture with brushed golden brass hardware coupled with the large floor-to-ceiling glass windows will absorb you while also allowing you to keep track of the world outside. The pattern on the floor, which extends to the bar, is trippy.
A long and lovely peacock sculpture sat on a branch, bang in the middle of the alcohol rack. It camouflaged between the blues of the walls. I admired it for a couple of seconds before joining the dots between the name of the bar and the presence of this gorgeous bird.
During the day, Chidya Ghar is bathed with natural light, making it a good spot to catch up with friends over a cocktail or even enjoy a drink with colleagues. The bar opens up at 3 pm.
Dusk changes the mood and brings the old-world charm of the bar to the fore as it begins to resemble a rich cigar room.
The gold pendant lights that drip from the ceiling over the tables, the small cascading bulbs at the counter, and the accent lights at the alcohol shelf make the room a cosy spot to unwind over a solo drink or to plan a date night with a loved one.
