New Delhi Nightlife
New Delhi's nightlife scene has come a long way in recent years due to the relaxation of the city's alcohol laws. This has seen a good number of bars open up in the city, the majority of which can be found inside hotels. However, New Delhi is no Mumbai as yet, so true party animals may be left feeling a little let down. One thing to remember if that alcohol is extremely expensive, so try to make friends with a wealthy local businesses man.
In central Delhi you will come across the superb cocktail lounge that is Patiala Peg. Based in the Hotel Imperial, this is one cool haunt and the 'Misty Green' has to be tried to be believed.
Over in the Diplomatic Enclave, Orient Express is one of the most unusual bars in the city. Decked out as a homage to the colonial era, this bar and restaurant offers a food and drinks menu based upon that of the train from which it takes its name. Murders, thankfully, are a rarity.
Down in the New Friends Colony, the popular Pebble Street establishment is worth checking out. This sizeable bar and restaurant has a cobbled floor ? so be careful on trips to the toilet ? and strangely, screens Formula One races on its three big televisions every Sunday.
Those who like their mood music should head down to the Laidback Waters by Shalom, on the first floor of the Qutub hotel. This lounge bar is wonderfully laid back, with candles and low seating giving the place a Moroccan feel.
The Gay scene in New Delhi is currently minute, but there are hopes that like the rest of the city's nightlife, it will grow up fast. One of the only gay nights currently available is at the wonderfully named Pegs N Pints bar in the Chandkyapuri part of town on Tuesday nights. Although homosexuality is illegal in India, there are less and less instances of prosecution.
If lounging the night away feels a little tame, there are a few slightly wilder places in town ? most of which are on the dark and dingy side of things. The Capitol club, set inside the Ashok Hotel, is one of the better places to let your hair down and it has a casino as well.
If you're after an evening show, there are a few options. At the Dances of India on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg you will be treated to an hour-long spectacular that introduces the mainly foreign audience to a variety of regional dance routines, including Kathakali, Bharatanatyam and Manipuri. Shows begin at 19:00 and tickets are available on the door.
Habitat World in New Delhi is widely recognised as the hub of the city's arts scene. A huge range of events take place here, from art exhibitions and talks to cinema screenings and theatre productions. There will normally be some sort of live production going on, while for the cinema, visitors must fork out for a three-year membership.
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Nightlife
