Upstairs at Indian Accent: Where Cocktails Meet Cloak & Dagger Chic

Slip into Upstairs at Indian Accent, where Indian flair meets vintage glamour. Snag a tamarind infused martini, sink into Sabyasachi draped seats, and let the sultry, Bond like vibe pull you.

By: Akanksha Dean

There are bars… and then there’s ‘this’ bar. A dimly lit escape perched above Indian Accent’s iconic Delhi digs, Upstairs doesn’t need flashy signage. It’s built for insiders, a space you stumble upon with a knowing smile, clutching a martini like it’s a secret weapon. With jazz weaving through the air and whispers catching in the folds of silk wallpaper, it feels like you’ve entered a world where something thrilling is always afoot.

A Cinematic Escape, Sip by Sip

Upstairs is the kind of place where you half expect to see a trench coat clad stranger slide an envelope across the bar. Of course, in reality, it’s less espionage and more elevated indulgence. Sitting here last weekend, I couldn’t help but think that the space feels like a cross between Harry’s Bar in Venice (without the tourist chaos) and Bar Hemingway at the Ritz in Paris. There’s an effortless sophistication, a casual exclusivity that doesn’t scream money, it murmurs taste. “Our aim was to create a bar that feels intimate, personal, and deeply rooted in Indian Accent’s core, something luxurious yet quiet,” said Rohit Khattar, chairperson of EHV International, as we sipped our cocktails in comfort. And oh, the cocktails. Ever had a martini that tastes like nostalgia, tart tamarind teased with a vodka kick, or a gimlet with subtle notes of coriander leaf? Upstairs pairs Indian ingredients with global technique, creating a collaboration between tradition and innovation, much like the restaurant itself. Even the negroni got a naughty makeover, infused with hints of smoky clove.

The space itself is unapologetically cinematic. Designed to wrap you in shadow and story, Sabyasachi’s rich velvets and intricate patterns create an opulent, intimate cocoon. It’s a setting that would make you feel like James Bond, if James Bond’s secret missions were to explore the perfect martini menu. And though Bond didn’t walk in, the crowd carried its own mystique. Fashion editors? Probably. A celebrated filmmaker sipping solo? Perhaps. Here’s the best part, Upstairs isn’t some pretentious members only haunt. It feels personal, like the kind of space you’d take someone to impress them, but also retreat to on your own, aware that indulgence doesn’t always require company.

Nostalgia Meets Refined Luxury

Curated by Varun Sharma, head of bars at the renowned hospitality chain, ‘Upstairs’ is shaking up, not just stirring, our expectations of cocktails. The moment you spot the vintage style mobile martini cart, you’re tempted to drop your usual poison and dive straight into their line-up of rebooted classics with a decidedly Indian twist. The ‘Desi Dirty Martini’ is a standout; think James Bond meets Old Delhi, where an achingly umami nimbu achaar brine adds a feisty tang. It’s like sipping the soul of a Kolkata fuchka, distilled into fine glassware. Then there’s the ‘kokum French martini’, lush and velvety, perfect for those who like their drinks on the sweeter side. For the bold, the fennel infused tequila martini offers a refreshing twist, while a nihari-spiced bone-dry martini redefines savoury sophistication, comfort food, if comfort food came with a kick. The magic doesn’t stop at the bar.

Upstairs’ vibe is steeped in slow jazz, punctuated by vocalist Alyse Pascoe’s silky tones. She croons like a sepia memory, channelling Hollywood’s golden age. Craving comfort? The culinary offerings, by Indian Accent’s Hitesh Lohat, nod to Delhi’s iconic streets. The Old Delhi fried chicken and softly decadent kabab sando? Pure, edible nostalgia. Upstairs isn’t just a bar; it’s an invitation to linger in a world that whispers mystery and stirs up charm. If Indian Accent put modern Indian cuisine on the global map, its newest offering just might do the same for after-hours cocktails in Delhi. One tamarind martini at a time. Upstairs is open until 1AM, for now. Don’t dawdle.

FAST FACTS

Timings: 7:00 pm to 1:00 am

Where: Indian Accent, The Lodhi Hotel, Lodhi Road, New Delhi

Call : +91 9205747968