Why Chandigarh is ready for a new kind of cocktail bar
In a city with a drinking culture as entrenched as Chandigarh’s, The Back Room is part of a larger shift — from whisky and house parties to pour-only cocktails and high-design bars, the city is figuring out what it wants from a night out (CAN WE MAKE THIS SHORTER PLS?)
The Back Room, a Chandigarh bar, is poised for a new kind of cocktail experience. The space is reminiscent of a retro-futuristic future, with dark stone, brass, globe lights, and sci-fi details. It offers elbow room and conversational comfort, allowing patrons to enjoy their drinks and engage in meaningful interactions. The Back Room was originally established in 2015 and returned to The Toy Hotel in Chandigarh's Sector 34A after a hiatus in 2024.
The Verma brothers, Saanya and Akshay, along with Beverage Director Tanka Gurung, have reimagined the concept, focusing on pour-only cocktails made in a dedicated lab. The drinks are identified by three-digit codes, representing the base spirit, method, and flavor profile. Each drink is measured in grams and then batched, rested, and sealed in large-format bottles.
The menu consists of small plates designed to complement the drinks, ensuring a harmonious balance between food and beverages. The concept of The Back Room is part of a growing cocktail culture in Chandigarh. The city has a long-standing tradition of heavy drinking, but the demand for more sophisticated and layered cocktails has been on the rise.
The return of The Back Room is a significant step towards the evolution of Chandigarh's bar scene, offering patrons a refined and precise cocktail experience.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
