Push through an unpretentious cupboard door, and unlike Narnia, sending you into the arms of a snow-capped forest, find yourself among tiny table lamps spilling little light, dark wood interiors and audacious artworks. Noctis, Delhi’s newest speakeasy bar, takes a page out of the American Prohibition era, dotted with discreet doors, strict reservations and a dash of illicit ardour.
Where can you find Noctis
Among the alleys of Panscheel Park, you will find a dilapidated cart led by Mr. Jagdish, who spins a tailoring business open from 7 pm till the wee hours of 1 am. An unsuspecting front, the man, however, holds the key (quite literally) to the cupboard door, taking you into the dimly lit bar brimming with quite the Gatsby energy. The bar fails to appear in Google Maps, which adds to its clandestine charm and can only be sought after through a phone call reservation.
Interiors and atmosphere
The interiors, though shrouded, reveal themselves in due course as scant light pours through table lamps and a chandelier whose dimmer-knob seemed to be turned to the far left. The lower floor remains saturated with brazen artworks– a subtle nod to the 1900s and a tiny bar tucked into the corner, belting out scandalous cocktails. The upper floor, however, seems to transcend into a past century with dusty frames inside glass cabinets, worn-out editions, shabby sculptures and mementoes all cloaked under the shadows.
A glimpse at its drinks and food menu
The cocktail menu curated by acclaimed mixologist Ajay Rawat dabbles in experimentation, where every sip evokes a gleeful sigh. Their homemade vermouth– crafted from wormwood found after scaling altitudes above 5,000 ft- plays beautifully when melded with other elements for classic cocktails or when served neat. The Bathtub– a gin-based drink infused with peri peri chilli, apricots, and salted soya, is just as cheeky as it sounds, whereas the Silk Road– a rendition of whisky sour- finishes off strong with a citrusy orange zest.
Though crafted in variety, the one common denominator among the drinks served is that they are crafted with often surprising ingredients and prepared in eccentric ways. You may find notes of oregano, sage or even taste buttery richness!
The food menu is curated by Chef Manan Vasudeva, who offers limited yet spectacular delights. The pulled lamb quesadilla offers a warm, meaty richness in every bite, and the classic hummus remains altered with unconventional ingredients. Think toasted almonds, chimichurri and pumpkin seeds! The dishes all carry global traces with ingredients and preparations picked from the streets of Tokyo to Naples, Colombia and even Lebanon.
A place to toast with their inspired drinks, with just enough bar bites, Noctis might just be the secret you will hope stays hidden.
📞+91 92205 28822
🕧7 pm to 1 am (Mondays closed)