Must-see nightlife in Himachal Pradesh

  • Brew Estate

    Shimla

    Shimla's first brewpub is a large, hip, party space around a central bar-island serving its own trio of well-balanced German- and Belgian-inspired ales …

  • 18Sixty

    Himachal Pradesh

    With lashings of dark wood and wrought iron, Infinitea's classy but welcoming bar is decorated with antique items from the tea estate which was founded in…

  • Café Budan

    Mcleod Ganj

    Relax with good coffee or choose from a dozen varieties of leaf-tea, serenaded by jazzy blues (think Etta James) under low-wattage ball-bulb lights in…

  • Cafe Sol

    Shimla

    Central Shimla's hippest drinking spot is sat atop a multi-storey building with splendid views enjoyed from stool-seats, beanbags or low-slung table-cubes…

  • Johnson Lodge Bar

    Manali

    Capacious settees around the fireplace, backed barstools, and garden seating complement a fine cocktail list and four happy hours (till 8pm). Welcome to…

  • Khaana Nirvana

    Mcleod Ganj

    Ideal for a sundowner, this easily missed spot above the HPTC Bank has sunset valley views and an almost Greek interior of rough whitewashed walls with…

  • Hide Out Cafe

    Shimla

    Upstairs in a building facing the old Town Hall, ever-obliging Mohan runs this outwardly unremarkable Western coffeeshop with a delightful low-key passion.

  • Backstreet Cafe

    Manali

    Off the main Manu Temple Rd, climb the stairway marked Rock Top Guesthouse to discover this oasis. It's a cafe amid apple trees, featuring a range of…

  • Scandal Delights

    Shimla

    This appealing mini-bar has fabulous views north and south, comfortably padded seats inside and a small outdoor terrace.

  • Honey Hut

    Shimla

    Cute, modern cafe with great coffee, cakes, sandwiches and meals such as honey-chilli paneer.

  • Sashas Hotel

    Manali

    Lushiously louche party bar with outdoor terrace decking on a cliff-edge overlooking the river junction.

  • Sixteen69

    Shimla

    After dark, pulsating DJ sets add to stylish decor, dimly lit by back-lit carved panels and a glowing marble bar.

  • Om Cafe

    Mcleod Ganj

    Savour great yet inexpensive coffee from a Faema espresso machine or fresh squeezed fruit juices on a sunny, sunset-view terrace lined with potted plants.

  • Shiva Tea Stall

    Manali

    Manali's best ₹10 masala chai. The tea comes richly suffused with ginger and cinnamon at this ultra-basic shack-shop, where just a handful of plastic…

  • The Shed

    Manali

    This seasonal cafe has an excellent coffee machine, a semicircular bar zone (try the apple martinis) and a fire pit between sacred rocks.

  • Space Out

    Dharamsala

    Relax on floor cushions beneath basket-lamps watched over by a mesmerising 'life flow' mural. Sip inexpensive macchiatos, nettle teas or sophisticated…

  • Cafe Ravi View

    Himachal Pradesh

    HPTDC's small, viewpoint snack house is a good place to sip an icy-cold beer with panoramas of the river valley below. You can also dine on a similar if…

  • Midpoint Hotel

    Himachal Pradesh

    Climbing to the Padmasambhava Caves, the stairway crosses the road beside this isolated pink house which serves drinks and simple meals with a superb…

  • 19th Hole Bar

    Himachal Pradesh

    The bare, all-timber wooden clubhouse surveys the main fairways and water traps of Naldhera's classic golf course, with the best views from the bar. That…

  • Seed Cafe

    Mcleod Ganj

    This metal-roofed bar-club has a grungy youth vibe enlivened by a dancy DJ soundtrack on a powerful sound system. On Saturday party nights there's…

  • Homemade Bakery Café

    Himachal Pradesh

    This tiny cafe stares across the valley, its few roadside seats offering an even more breathtaking view, albeit somewhat plagued by passing traffic.

  • Labooze

    Mcleod Ganj

    Though as much restaurant as bar, Labooze is nonetheless McLeod's most urban drinking den, with an engrossing cartoonesque ceiling mural and parts of a…

  • Book Cafe

    Shimla

    Cheap, clean, cheerful place to nurse an instant tea and do some reading if the skies should open.

  • Dylan’s Toasted & Roasted

    Manali

    This ever-popular hole-in-the-wall cafe was Manali's first place for real barista coffee and still serves great macchiatos, hearty breakfasts, pancakes…

  • Bar Matala

    Himachal Pradesh

    The most appealing feature of the business hotel Shobla Royale is sipping a drink in the bay-window view-seats of its low-key bar.

  • Khyber

    Manali

    Upstairs overlooking the roundabout at the top of The Mall, Khyber is a fun place for a beer or fruit wine if you like the old-world 1970s-India vibe, and…

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