The best dive bars in Delhi

What is it: A queer-friendly bar where you can hear each other depending on which section you're seated.

Why visit: For starters, it is almost-as but never-quite-as packed as 4s, which makes it a steady favourite amongst folks in South Delhi. Loud voices in one section and calmer conversations on the other side, so you can take your pick. I've been told that the cocktails are worth trying, but gimme a big bottle of beer and the chicken malai tikka, and I'm a happy man.

Time Out tip: The smoking room is like being inside a smoker's lung, but it's great for overhearing or getting into conversations.

Address: 15 & 16, First Floor, J Block Market, Saket, New Delhi 110017

Timings: Mon-Sun, 11.30am-11.30pm.

Price: 2 beers and a starter for ₹1,000-₹1,400

What is it: A Kashmiri community club, a neighbourhood restaurant and a cheap South Delhi bar walked into the same building. That's Samavar.

Why visit: For a relaxed ‘uncle bar’ atmosphere that is equal parts comforting and confusing. Why is there almost no music at this place? How are families having dinner so comfortable being around younger people cussing over drinks? Why do that group of gentlemen look like the happiest music they've heard is a sad Jagjit Singh ghazal? These are some of the questions I've asked during my visits. The vibe is soothing, and the Nadru Churm i.e. spicy crisp-fried lotus stem is the best chakna EVER.

Time Out tip: Kashmiri food is unique as far as bar menus go, but don't go hungry. The staff can really take their time.

Address: B-36, Pamposh Enclave, Greater Kailash 1, New Delhi 110048

Timings: Mon-Sun, 11am-11pm.

Price: 2 beers and a starter for ₹1,200-₹1,500

What is it: Saqi is the bar at Alka Classic, a hotel in CP established in 1968.

Why visit: An old-school bar like none other; being at Saqi is kinda like being inside someone's living room. The lighting is dim, there are some leather seats, and the music on most evenings is the likes of Mohd Rafi, Mehdi Hasan and ghazals. I actually tried a cocktail here once, and at 400 rupees, I'd say it was worth the adventure.

Time Out tip: Go for the happy hours and see where the evening takes you.

Address: P-16, Block P, Connaught Place, New Delhi 110001

Timings: Mon-Sun, 11am-10pm.

Price: 2 beers and a starter for ₹900-₹1,200

What is it: Is it a lounge? Is it a hookah bar? It's just the Greater Kailash version of a dive bar.

Why visit: Somewhere between a restaurant and a lounge, Elation is a heady mix of many things. There's neon lettering at the bar, there are live music nights, and there's a balcony. The food is a grade above a dive, the cocktails are actually worth ordering (well, they don't cost 400 either), and the overall costs are definitely on the higher side for this list.

The interiors are smoky because they serve hookahs, but it's also a large space which means that two types of people can co-exist: people having a quiet dinner as well as folks who've decided Tuesday night calls for a party.

Time Out tip: Sit outside if the weather is good. GK 1 is definitely more interesting with a drink in hand.

Address: 32, Second Floor, M Block Market, Greater Kailash 1, New Delhi 110048

Timings: Mon-Sun, 12.30pm-1am.

Price: 2 beers and a starter for ₹1,200-₹1,500

What is it: Delhi's dive bar institution that has, arguably, the highest density of lawyers per sq. m.

Why visit: Packed to the brim regardless of the day of the week, 4S is the kind of place where you're likely to bump into a friend or walk out with new friends. The tables might be taken, but there is always space on the floor or at the bar. The music is retro-tinted, and everyone seems to know each other. Also a Chinese and Thai restaurant, the crispy chilli chicken is a hall of famer.

Time Out tip: Get there before 7 or be prepared to stand. The staff will ensure that the drinks reach you.

Address: 26A, Main Market, Block A, Defence Colony, New Delhi 110024

Timings: Mon-Sun, noon-11.30pm.

Price: 2 beers and a starter for ₹1,200-₹1,500

What is it: The only bar in the bustling Nehru Place market.

Why visit: As far as this list goes, Only Bar is unbeatable when it comes to pricing. The bar is stacked, the appetisers are pretty good, the staff is friendly and attentive, and if you sit indoors, you're completely cocooned from the bustle outside. However, this is not a place for a quiet drink. It's popular with college students and the office crowd; on my last visit, I heard ‘LinkedIn’ invoked more than ‘cheers’.

Time Out tip: Afternoons here are very quiet. Great for a pint after lunch… or a frustrating laptop fix trip to Nehru Place.

Address: Shop 24, First Floor, Raj Lok Building, near Indian Bank, Nehru Place, New Delhi 110019

Timings: Mon-Sun, 11am-1am.

Price: 2 beers and a starter for ₹800-₹1,200

What is it: A family restaurant with a drinking section inside a residential colony.

Why visit: One of Vasant Kunj's best-kept secrets, I've rarely had to wait for a table at OT, which more than makes up for the white-light interiors. Basic and comforting, with wooden tables and cushioned chairs, the family section is indoors and the louder part of the restaurant; the drinking section is outside. It's a neighbourhood bar in the truest sense, with a smattering of people from nearby offices alongside residents who have been coming for years. In fact, a friend once looked slightly offended that I knew about his ‘local hang’.

Time Out tip: Ask for the 650 ml bottle if you're having a beer. Best value for money.

Address: Shops 7-8, Pocket 3 & 4, Sector D, DDA Market, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 110070

Timings: Mon-Sun, noon-11pm.

Price: 2 beers and a starter for ₹1,000-₹1,200