Boogie nights
From the bar to the dance floor, the dining table to the live gig, Pune is teeming with options for those who get restless after dark
Janice N
28-Mar-2013
Spend some time drinking in Pune's vibrant nightlife • AFP
Over the past few years, Pune has evolved to accommodate people from different cities with different needs, preferences and tastes. You have innumerable options when planning an evening out, whether it's to have a quiet drink, enjoy a good meal, catch some live music or stand-up comedy, or party hard.
Food and drink
Shisha
Classic jazz plays in the background while you are surrounded by greenery. Order an Oom pah pah mug (that's a litre of beer in a giant mug) and some Iranian Jujeh kebabs. If you happen to be here on a Thursday night, you'll catch a performance by a live band, and on Sundays you'll be treated to a very reasonably priced buffet. A word of warning, though, the place starts shutting down at 10.30pm.
Classic jazz plays in the background while you are surrounded by greenery. Order an Oom pah pah mug (that's a litre of beer in a giant mug) and some Iranian Jujeh kebabs. If you happen to be here on a Thursday night, you'll catch a performance by a live band, and on Sundays you'll be treated to a very reasonably priced buffet. A word of warning, though, the place starts shutting down at 10.30pm.
Sky Garage
If your pockets aren't very deep and you aren't too bothered about jazz, then head to this rooftop garage-themed bar, styled with bonnets, headlamps and number plates from all over the world. This laidback place is not a fine-dining destination. They serve liquor and can make a decent meal. So whether it's pizza, biryani or kebabs and naan, you can be sure you'll receive something palatable. The crowd here is a mix of IT professionals and college students. Sky Garage also has a screen set up for cricket matches.
If your pockets aren't very deep and you aren't too bothered about jazz, then head to this rooftop garage-themed bar, styled with bonnets, headlamps and number plates from all over the world. This laidback place is not a fine-dining destination. They serve liquor and can make a decent meal. So whether it's pizza, biryani or kebabs and naan, you can be sure you'll receive something palatable. The crowd here is a mix of IT professionals and college students. Sky Garage also has a screen set up for cricket matches.
Doolally Craft Beers
Located at the other end of the city, in Undri, 1st Brewhouse is Pune's first microbrewery, in the Corinthians boutique hotel. You must visit it if you are a beer fanatic. The German wheat beer is a popular favourite, and while their apple cider is considered too sweet by some, it is delicious. If you're here on a Sunday, you'll get a good deal on beer and brunch. For live music, go on a Friday.
Located at the other end of the city, in Undri, 1st Brewhouse is Pune's first microbrewery, in the Corinthians boutique hotel. You must visit it if you are a beer fanatic. The German wheat beer is a popular favourite, and while their apple cider is considered too sweet by some, it is delicious. If you're here on a Sunday, you'll get a good deal on beer and brunch. For live music, go on a Friday.
Terttulia
Terttulia has a cool Mediterranean atmosphere with Catalan music in the background. You can have their eggs benedict any time of the day, but you'll be torn between trying their quiches and pizzas or fantastic main courses. The cocktails stand out: try the spicy Japanese pear or the ginger martini or a daiquiri.
Terttulia has a cool Mediterranean atmosphere with Catalan music in the background. You can have their eggs benedict any time of the day, but you'll be torn between trying their quiches and pizzas or fantastic main courses. The cocktails stand out: try the spicy Japanese pear or the ginger martini or a daiquiri.
Drinks and entertainment
High Spirits
One of the city's popular clubs, High Spirits has different theme nights through the week. It's shut on Mondays, but you can take in comedy nights or open-mike nights on Wednesdays, bladderburst or Housie on Thursdays, live gigs on Fridays, a cookout with some great music on Sundays. For those who like whisky cocktails, order their toddy martini. If you want to eat something with that, try the steak sandwich.
One of the city's popular clubs, High Spirits has different theme nights through the week. It's shut on Mondays, but you can take in comedy nights or open-mike nights on Wednesdays, bladderburst or Housie on Thursdays, live gigs on Fridays, a cookout with some great music on Sundays. For those who like whisky cocktails, order their toddy martini. If you want to eat something with that, try the steak sandwich.
Swig
Located on north Main Road, this watering hole has a chilled-out atmosphere. If you get here between 6pm and 9pm it's happy hours and you can order one drink and get one free. Try their martinis and Moroccan chicken or lamb pasta. With DJs spinning new sounds every Friday, and a live band once a week, this is a comfortable spot to lounge in. But if you are male, make sure you have a date - only couples and women are allowed.
Located on north Main Road, this watering hole has a chilled-out atmosphere. If you get here between 6pm and 9pm it's happy hours and you can order one drink and get one free. Try their martinis and Moroccan chicken or lamb pasta. With DJs spinning new sounds every Friday, and a live band once a week, this is a comfortable spot to lounge in. But if you are male, make sure you have a date - only couples and women are allowed.
Cocoparra
With lots of greenery around, Cocoparra feels like it's located inside a garden. It also hosts a lot of activities - book reading, mini-theatre for kids, several indoor games, table games and live performances. Head here on Sundays between 12 and 4pm for some great European and Indian food and pitchers of beer.
With lots of greenery around, Cocoparra feels like it's located inside a garden. It also hosts a lot of activities - book reading, mini-theatre for kids, several indoor games, table games and live performances. Head here on Sundays between 12 and 4pm for some great European and Indian food and pitchers of beer.
Dancing and partying
Kue Bar
While Wednesdays are ladies' nights at Kue Bar at the Westin, Fridays and Saturdays are when the party really gets going. The club is divided into two sections - outside, where you can order food and beverages and lounge around, and inside, where the dance floor comes alive. Drinks are pricey but well made and there's a good choice of alcohol too.
While Wednesdays are ladies' nights at Kue Bar at the Westin, Fridays and Saturdays are when the party really gets going. The club is divided into two sections - outside, where you can order food and beverages and lounge around, and inside, where the dance floor comes alive. Drinks are pricey but well made and there's a good choice of alcohol too.
Mi-a-Mi
Mi-a-Mi, a nightclub in the basement of the JW Marriott, has a Rs 2000 cover charge for couples. They have good food and a wide variety of alcohol. The dance floor is large and spacious, but it gets overcrowded, especially on weekends.
Mi-a-Mi, a nightclub in the basement of the JW Marriott, has a Rs 2000 cover charge for couples. They have good food and a wide variety of alcohol. The dance floor is large and spacious, but it gets overcrowded, especially on weekends.
Penthouze
The newest entrant to Pune's nightlife scene, Penthouze boasts a fantastic view of the city. The drinks are on the expensive side and the food is not consistently good, but walk on to the terrace and enjoy looking down at the sights and lights of Pune.
The newest entrant to Pune's nightlife scene, Penthouze boasts a fantastic view of the city. The drinks are on the expensive side and the food is not consistently good, but walk on to the terrace and enjoy looking down at the sights and lights of Pune.
The Oak Lounge
Part of the Oakwood Premier Hotel, and probably the most visited nightclub in the city. The party here comes to life after the other pubs have shut - after midnight. They have a good selection of spirits, and the beef pizza with caramelised onions and potatoes is worth a try.
Part of the Oakwood Premier Hotel, and probably the most visited nightclub in the city. The party here comes to life after the other pubs have shut - after midnight. They have a good selection of spirits, and the beef pizza with caramelised onions and potatoes is worth a try.