Lair — Restaurant in New Delhi

Cocktails @lair.newdelhi

The easiest way to make sense of 'Progressive Cocktails' or 'Craft Cocktails' is to visit the #3 best bar in India; Lair in Vasant Vihar, New Delhi. The Progressive & Crafted Cocktails employ good quality fresh ingredients, innovative techniques & methods that bring out bolder flavours, and come across as better balanced & with excellent mouthfeel.

Glancing through the menu I realised how meticulously it was put together with each Cocktail paying a tribute to a specific region of India. The previous menu was based on different regions of the world, with the bestsellers making it to the current menu under the 'Legacy' section. Each Cocktail is alluring, but it's always better to 'walk out' than 'crawl out' of a bar. Hence I requested the Mixologist Sahil (if I remember correctly) to run me through a few of his recommendations in a sequence graduating to the spicy punchier ones towards the end.

With that began a cocktail experience like none other I've had recently. The presentation and the garnishes were all on point and the entire experience was made exemplary by the Mixologist discussing the flavour profiles & how they managed to create such marvellous masterpieces. While I couldn't fault any Cocktail, there were three that left me impressed.

The Negroni with a completely different ratio & infusion of Cacao Nibs & Coconut Fat Washed was right up there. It came across as chocolatey, smooth, and crisp with a bit of bitterness from the Campari. Their version of Manhattan is again fantastic, the key is using the maraschino cherry syrup and then ageing it (not saying in what barrels). And lastly, it's the Piccante that also happens to be a bestseller. A spicy cocktail made using fresh ingredients blended and filtered into your glass. It's the fresh Jalapeños that amp up the heat & enhance other flavours too!

I was exceedingly impressed with what Lair puts out, not only justifying their Spot in being amongst the best in the country; but also setting benchmarks for innumerable other bars to amp up their game, learn & adopt newer techniques, hence raising the industry standards...

So checked out the most hyped spot in Delhi for cocktails - Lair. I think it was a very interesting spot with a great list of cocktails (spot on for sweet cocktails with a smoother finish). Hear me out. The interiors and the real estate of the bar definitely makes it look very plush and apt for a bar of this kind. The cocktails were quite interesting. The theme of the drinks is based on the geography and nature from where the ingredients have been sourced from. This was very intriguing as the menu really defined the drink, the flavor profile, the description of the drinks and the source of it. Therefore, ten points for this creative thought process from start to finish. Coming up to the presentation of the drinks, they were definitely beautiful and very aesthetically pleasing to the eye in the lighting of the bar. The accompaniments provided with the drink was perfectly paired to increase the overall experience. We had the Wisdom - spirit forward whiskey cocktail (bit sweet for my taste) Nilgiri - whiskey cocktail with a smooth coffee flavored buttery finish (enjoyed it) Sumerians - their twist to an old fashioned. Perfectly paired with cheddar honey. Smokey and smooth (very interesting) One more gin based cocktail i think not a berry! Again very sweet for my wife's taste. Overall, I felt the drinks were good but they were more on the sweeter side regardless of which part of the menu I ordered it from. The alcohol content was apt, because it didn't sting but also at one point I didn't feel the alcohol. Quite mild I would say as the mixers made the drink sweeter than strong. However, the drinks were made well and beautiful to look at. The food was decent too, but just had some noodles and dimsums. The truffle popcorn definitely is a plus with these cocktails. Quite enjoyed my experience and would give one more shot to see how the drinks based on vodka and gin come out to be. Try it out for yourself and see what the hype about one of the best Asian bars is all about! The staff was very nice and...

I found the place a tad overrated. Its location next to an alcohol shop didn't create much anticipation, especially with an odd crowd hanging around and giving us uncomfortable stares. Once you enter, the dark aesthetic makes an initial impact which lingers.

The bar area outshines the dining space, and I must say, the music is absolutely top-notch - a solid 10/10. Once the drinks start flowing, the place does improve. The cocktails are decent, but I mean, that's to be expected, right? However, the Espresso Martini was a huge disappointment - I'd rate it a -5/10. They seem to have no clue how to make a proper Espresso Martini. The Calendula Punch had a good initial punch but grew boring after a few sips due to its overly sweet and unbalanced flavors. Shopian was enjoyable.

The food was good, as it should be, nothing extraordinary. The Chicken Star Anise stood out, and the Chicken Satay would get a 7/10 from me - I've definitely had it better elsewhere. Hawker-style noodles and other dishes were satisfactory but not memorable. Service is fine. Staff is polite.

Ultimately, the place didn't leave me awestruck. The music does a good job of compensating for what's lacking!

If nothing else, definitely go for the music! If you are looking to dine, there are far better...