AaBbCc

There’s a certain charm that lends itself to the concept of retrofuturism: think Back to the Future, DMC DeLoreans, Denis Villeneuve’s Dune; of music genres that you can’t pinpoint but still enjoy; of interiors that feel like doomsday bunkers, but the warm, cosy kinds. Now imagine if said bunker also offered drinks, and wham! Welcome to AaBbCc. 

Located smack dab in the middle of Delhi’s Basant Lok market, AaBbCc has cemented its place in the list of cooler bars in the city. On the ground level, an entire wall displays the 80-odd ingredients that go into their drinks, each stored in well-lit individual jars. Sort of a whacko periodic table. Next to it lies the innovation lab, where they come up with recipes for new drinks, complete with beakers, test tubes, and other Willy Wonka-esque equipment. 

A short set of stairs later and you’re at the main bar, where you’re greeted by a 21-foot long bar and some tables, all bathed in soft yellow light. The bar chairs, especially, deserve special mention for being incredibly comfortable. The top floor hosts the Amp Room, which turns into a music lounge every now and then. 

The cocktail menu is divided into three distinct sections: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. Yesterday reimagines a bunch of classic cocktails: the Bellini, Godfather, LIIT, and Sex on the Beach, but with a slight twist to set them apart.

Today is where they begin to tease that innovation lab of theirs, with drinks like the Tea-Pache (oolong-infused vodka with three-day aged tepache) or the Consommé Paloma (tequila, aperol, citrus, consommé tonic). 

Tomorrow is where they really come into their own in terms of complexity – this section’s further divided into Blueprints, Prototypes, and Revelations, offering up cocktails the same way a classic restaurant would do entrées, mains, and desserts. The Miyazaki, for instance, is a fantastic bourbon-based cocktail with an umami tang that comes with shiitake mushrooms, while the Charred Aubergine – one of the most unique drinks across Delhi – is their interpretation of the staple baingan ka bharta, made with charred aubergines and served with a garnish of three kinds of salt and crispy…ants. 

Their menu is fantastically designed. Each item comes with a breakdown of its ingredients and a sticker indicating which part of the tongue you’ll taste the drink on. They’re all served with a side of incredibly addictive rice crackers dusted with what seems to be Maggi magic masala. 

The vibe: Very cool. Not where you’d want to hear bawling kids. 

The drinks: Bizarre, crazy flavour profiles. Most of them work.

The food: Reasonably comprehensive given that it’s primarily a bar. The best offerings include a delicious salmon crudo and a most excellent pork bun, which comes stuffed with Goan chorizo sausages.