BARS & PUBS - CHENNAI

     Drink Chennai is a difficult place in which to drink. Government rules state that only establishments with a minimum of 21 bedrooms can obtain a bar/liquor license. Hence there are no standalone bars or pubs here. All the bars that are around are part of a hotel and are far apart. This makes traditional drinking activities like pub crawling an impossibility.

Drinking is a habit of two social classes in India: the lower sections of the society and the highest. As a result, you will either find dingy places or exceptionally classy ones.

Government runs liquor stores called TASMAC are all over the place but, in general, not at all a pleasant experience. They usually have rude staff, are filthy and do not have the brand of your choice. Also, they tend to mark up each bottle by ₹10 to ₹30 over the listed price. Go for it if you want a one time war like experience in order to obtain some booze.

Clubs and discotheques must be a rarity in a conservative city like Chennai but there are plenty and the list is growing. Compared to other cities, Chennai has no curfews over closing hours, so theoretically they can be open till 24hours. But most clubs and bars close by 3am. Most bars couple as a night club


Budget
  • The Pub, Liberty Park Hotel, 1st Main Road, Kodambakkam, Ph - 24725950
  • Paradise Bar, Aruna Hotel, 20 South Usman Road, T Nagar, Chennai - 600017, Ph - 24346565/0834

Mid-range
  • Bike and Barrel, Residency Towers, T.Nagar.nice ambience there are 2 levels lower level for couples and upper level for stags . Nice sitting arrangement but can get crowded . Expect to spend around 1000 for 2 people for drinks and food.
  • Champagne & Cider, Grand Orient, Anna Salai (Mount Road).
  • Crystal, Hotel Ranjit, Nungambakkam High road, Nungambakkam.
  • Grammy, Hotel Sabhari, Thirumala Pillai Road, T.Nagar, Ph -
  • Platinum, (Formerly HFO), Hotel Quality inn Aruna, Sterling Road, Nungambakkam
  • Hudson, Harrisons Hotel, 315, Valluvarkottam High Road, Nungambakkam, Ph - 42222777.Has two levels. Hudson Upper and H2O. Cramped seating providing very little privacy. The Liquor stable is limited to the local brands and a bottle or two of Scotch.
  • Society, Hotel Ambassador Pallava, Montieth road, Egmore, Ph - 28554476
Pretty small. Crowd is predominantly hotel guests. Attire is business casual and drinks are a little pricey.
  • Diesel, G.N Chetty Road, T.Nagar
  • Cambridge, Hotel Dee Cee Manor, GN Chetty Road, T.Nagar
  • Million Dollars, Hotel Ambica Empire, 100 Feet road, Vadapalani
  • Star Rock, Kodambakkam High Road (Next to Palmgrove hotel), Nungambakkam
  • Zero° bar, Quality Inn Sabari, ground floor, 29 Thirumalai Pillai Road, T.Nagar, Chennai - 600 017

Splurge
  • OPM - Nightclub, The Accord Metropolitan, 35,G.N.Chetty Road, T'Nagar, Chennai- Open: 18:00 Hrs Onwards. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays but available for private events. Information and Reservations: Tele: +91 44 28161000 / 43911000
  • Zodiac- Lounge Bar, The Accord Metropolitan, 35,G.N.Chetty Road, T'Nagar, Chennai- Popular labels, ingenious cocktails, rare blends of liquor & a wide selection of hot and cold canapés. Open: Monday to Friday:16:00-23:00 Hrs, Saturday & Sunday:11.00-23.00 Hrs- Seating capacity 76- Information and Reservations: Tele: +91 44 28161000 / 43911000
  • Geoffrey's- The Pub, Radha Regent (formerly- Radha Park Inn), 171, Jawaharlal Nehru Salai, Inner Ring Road, Arumbakkam, Chennai– 600106. Décor is a mix of British and American- very contemporary and trendy look- pool tables, swinging DJs and live shows. An area of 2700 sq ft with 97 covers which makes the largest in its kind in the city. Open: 4 pm to 11 pm on all days. Information and Reservations: Tele: 91 44 66778899
  • The Westminister. Park Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Chamiers Road, Alwarpet. +91 44 2499 4101.
  • Zara, Cathedral Road.
  • Dublin, Park Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Chamiers Road, Alwarpet, Ph - 24994101
  • Durrants Bar, Chola Sheraton, Cathedral Road, Ph - 28110101
  • Distil Bar, Taj Connemara, Binny Road
  • Leather Bar, The Park, Nungambakkam High Road
The largest liquor stable in Chennai - includes hard to source Moet & Chandon, Glenfiddich and a variety of other scotch. Loud Music.
  • The Rain Bar, Hotel Raintree, St.Mary's Road, Alwarpet
  • The Havana, Hotel Raintree, St.Mary's Road, Alwarpet
  • 10 Downing Street Kences Inn Hotel, North Boag Road, T Nagar
  • Padding-ton, Sports themed Bar, Nandnam 

Local Specialties - Soft Drinks
  • Tender Coconut Definitely try a tender coconut on a hot summer's day. Available on roadside stalls at ₹40 a coconut.
  • NeerMoar Spicy butter milk, with local seasoning. Available at most South Indian restaurants.
  • Fruit Bizz (Adyar signal), left corner building from ananda bhavan road to guindy. This is one of the best juice shops very famous in adyar region. Shop open from morning 10 am till 1am. ₹30-50

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