With its beautiful palaces, monumental forts, and pink-hued old city, Jaipur is a design lover’s dream, and this stylish aesthetic extends to its vibrant bar scene. Add to this an increasingly creative cocktail culture that’s growing by leaps and bounds, and you have all the makings of a perfect night out. From palatial lounges to chic watering holes to speakeasy-style bars, here’s where to paint the town red – or pink!
Writers Bar, Raffles Jaipur
Every Raffles property has a Writers Bar, and the one in Jaipur is no exception. Channelling the hotel’s queen’s palace theme, the bar’s pastel blue and white walls sport intricately hand-painted Mughal motifs, and spectacular chandeliers hang from the ceiling. Floor-to-ceiling bookcases highlight the literary theme, while a show-stopper winding staircase brings additional drama. Don’t miss the signature Jaipur Sling, a pink-coloured concoction of gin, and Chandr Haas, a Rajasthani heritage liqueur.
Johri & Sons, The Johri
In the heart of its namesake the Johari bazaar, the buzzy Johri & Sons is ensconced within the design-forward boutique hotel, The Johri. Done up in shades of pink – from blush to salmon – the intimate space is adorned with palm tree murals and potted plants. Behind the wooden bar, mixologists shake up creative takes on classic cocktails, like a variation of Negroni with a touch of clarified watermelon or a highball with hibiscus tea.
Native Cocktail Room
Rajasthani aesthetic meets a speakeasy vibe in this moodily lit bar splashed with bold murals and plush fabrics. Cocktails take centre stage here, with a long list of signature drinks that pay homage to different parts of India and their native ingredients. So, you have The Nagpur with orange vodka and Cointreau or Coorg with coffee whiskey, stout and bitters or Zafran Sour with kesar vodka, salted caramel, and orange bitters.
The Pink Bar, Hyatt Regency Jaipur Mansarovar
With its sophisticated, rooftop setting, The Pink Bar is perfect for sundowners with dramatic views. There’s al fresco seating but it’s the intimate royal chhatri-style spaces you want to snag. Under a hand-painted pink and gold ceiling, savour some potent cocktails in vivid sunset shades. The bar menu is complemented by elevated nibbles like torched salmon sashimi, chicken yakitori, and gourmet sliders.
The Swinton House
Designed as an ode to Samuel Swinton Jacob, the architect behind many of Jaipur’s iconic buildings, The Swinton House is a mish-mash of different styles. The al fresco courtyard (with a retractable glass roof) is in pastel pink, a dramatic Renaissance fresco adorns the ceiling in another room, while the speakeasy-style rooms feature deep colours and vintage furniture. Try the tropical Sassy Jamun with Indian spices and yuzu foam, paired with Indian street food and European plates.
Bar Palladio
A favourite hotspot for locals and tourists alike, Bar Palladio is divided into a garden ambience with canopied seating and a sumptuous Mughal-inspired peacock-blue interior with Jaipuri block-print motifs on the walls and a black-and-white checkered marble floor. It’s the perfect spot for an aperitivo – perhaps a crisp martini or a classic Negroni or a Venetian spritz – paired with Italian bites like bruschetta, thin-crust pizzas, pastas, and more.
Jharokha Bar, The Leela Palace Jaipur
Nestled beside the hotel’s palace pool, the Jharokha Bar is adorned with its namesake Rajasthani arched windows, lotus-design chandeliers, and vibrantly-patterned upholstery in jewel tones. The carefully curated cocktail menu is based on Aujasya (The Leela’s holistic wellness programme) and features low-calorie and low-sugar cocktails made with traditional ingredients, herbs, and aromatics. In addition, the bar offers an impressive selection of rare malts and cognacs as well as an extensive wine list.
Nouba Kitchen and Bar
With its electric blue ambience and 39-foot bar counter (the longest in Jaipur), Nouba is true to its name, which means to live it up. The high-energy rooftop space also has a separate pool area that’s perfect for private parties. Savour signature cocktails with Asian twists, like the vodka-based Pont de Fete with kaffir lime or the gin-based Sichuan Soiree with Sichuan pepper and chocolate bitters or the soy-laced Black Pearl, all paired with a pan-Asian spread.
