India has a recently developed entertainment scene, particularly in cities with a wealthy middle-class such as Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. There are bars and nightclubs to suit all tastes, as well as a bewildering choice of dining options, catering to all tastes and budgets. Vegetarians are well cared for as about a third of the local population does not eat meat.

Bars and Pubbing in India

In Mumbai, most nightclubs are attached to hotels, such as the seaside Trilogy (Hotel Sea Princess, Juhu Tara Road, Santracruz (W), Mumbai), which is one of the longest running establishments, known for beautiful people, creative cocktails and Indian club beats. The bulk of the trendy venues are centered around the suburbs of Bandra, Colaba and south Mumbai. Alternatively, the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA Centre, Near Trident Hotel, Sir Dorabji Tata Road, NCPA Marg, Nariman Point, Mumbai) is the place to go to catch a show. Mumbai also has some excellent live music, with large warehouse style venues such as Blue Frog (Mathuradas Mills Compound, NM Joshi Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai) catering to all musical tastes from electric to jazz.

Delhi and Bangalore also have a vibrant nightlife, as does the party state of Goa. Most venues are open during the day and close early by international standards, between 10:00 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. While India has a growing bar scene, younger adults should note that the drinking age varies from state to state, being 18 in Goa, 25 in Delhi and often 21 in other places.

Dining and Cuisine in India

Indian cuisine is hugely popular worldwide; featuring dishes that are heavily spiced. Tandoor refers both to marinated meat and the clay oven in which it is cooked and is a must-try in India. Meat and vegetable dishes are usually served with naan (a wheat flour flat bread), rice or lentils. The grain staple varies by region with* naan* being more common in the north and rice and lentils being more dominant in the south and east.

India has a range of dining options from street food to high end restaurants, which are often connected to international hotels that attract top chefs covering genres of cuisines. In Mumbai Koh (Mumbai Intercontinental Hotel, 135 Marine Drive, Mumbai) is known for its modern Thai fusion in a stylish dining room, while Gajalee (Kadamgiri Complex, Hanuman Road, Vile Parle (E),Mumbai) is celebrated for its tandoori crab.

New Delhi is home to some of India’s finest restaurants, including the award-winning Bukhara (Maurya Sheraton, Diplomatic Enclave, Minto Road, Sadar Patel Marg, New Delhi) that specializes in North Indian cuisine and has served the likes of Bill Clinton. The city of Bangalore also has upscale spots including the antique lamp-filled Karavali (F M Cariappa Rd, Bangalore) which specializes in South Indian dishes, particularly seafood.