The best bars in Hyderabad

What is it: A craft bar serving Mughal-inspired dishes that made it to India’s Top 30 Bars list back in 2024 

Why we love it: If I had one day left to live, you’d catch me on the fifth floor of Rü, by their bar. The cocktails here are theatrical and experimental – take the apple-flavoured Sher-Rü-Shayari (which comes with an actual, fairly amusing poem) for instance, or the tequila-based Gongura, which is laced with a sour and spicy gongura chutney-like flavour, but with more finesse. Monday Morning comes with a little cornflake biscuit and tiny cupcake. Great overall attention to detail, and the Kin-Rü often hosts takeovers from other great bars around India, so keep an eye out for those. 

Time Out tip: The nosh is good – don’t miss it. Their Jackfruit Haleem is surprisingly better than the mutton counterpart served at some places. 

Timings: Daily. 3pm-11.30pm from Sun-Thu and 3pm-12.30am on Fri & Sat.

Address: 377, Road Number 10, Jawahar Colony, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana 500033

What is it: A sophisticated omakase-style cocktail haunt that happens to be the sister bar of Bengaluru-based SOKA.

Why we love it: What’s great is that the wait staff who take your order are actually all bartenders, so you know you can count on a good cocktail recommendation. And the fastidious craftsmanship of the drinks like curd rice inspired Fifth Dimension make it hard to stop at one. Their Not a F***king Fanta that looks and tastes like but isn’t Fanta, and matcha-based What Ra Matcha isn’t a powdery green mess. The bar bites are fancy, original, featuring fusion microbites and combinations you’d be hard pressed to find at other places. 

Time Out tip: It’s a tiny bar, so book before you go. 

Timings: Daily. 5pm-11.30pm from Tue-Thu, 5pm-1am on Fri & Sat, 5pm- 12 midnight on Sunday and 12 midnight-11.30am & 5pm-11.30pm.

Address: Gate 7, Sattva Knowledge Park, Silpa Gram Craft Village, HITEC City, Hyderabad, Telangana 500032

What is it: The younger and more laid-back sibling of Hyderabad’s most trusted watering hole for craft beer

Why we love it: This sequel of Zero40 is proof of just how much people love the first one. It’s easy to lose track of time (and beers) in their massive outdoor space. Their signature brew, The Old Timer, is a comforting favourite for good reason, followed by their lager & cider. The best part about their beers is that you can down a few glasses without the usual hoppy bitterness getting to you. Their soulful ghee roast pizza, kodi chips and tandoori starters make for a slightly spicy but brilliant spread. 

Time Out tip: Great for larger groups. 

Timings: Daily. 12 noon-11.30pm from Mon-Thu, 12 noon-12.30pm on Fri & Sat and 10am-11.30pm on Sun.

Address: Anvaya Conventions Rd, Financial District, Gowlidoddy, Nanakramguda, Hyderabad, Telangana 500032

What is it: A craft cocktail bar among a band of breweries in Jubilee Hills.

Why we love it: Forefathers keeps you entertained at every corner: live food counter, coffee bar, and, of course, their cocktail bar. Their signature fusion cocktails are particularly great: Garden of Eden, with a sprig of coriander blooming in the ice; tamarind-flavoured Silent Succession, with a tamarind chewy candy they’ve surely traced from some manufacturer that went under at least twenty years ago; their twisted whiskey sour Destroyer, with apple and cinnamon. 

Time Out tip: If you want to dance or party, call up and check for events. If you want to chill, the outdoor cocktail bar is the best place to sit.

Timings: Daily. 12 noon-12 midnight from Sun-Thu and 12 noon-1am on Fri & Sat.   

Address: 872, Road No. 45 Jubilee Hills, Masthan Nagar, CBI Colony, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana 500033

What is it: An outdoor brewery perched on the edge of the lake.

Why we love it: They’ve got a small but very reliable menu of craft beer, almost all of which are fantastic. The wit, cider and lager are standouts, as is the slightly more pared-back vibe, which is far more romantic than I’d imagine a brewery to be. Their beer is paired best with a meaty appetiser or main – like the sausage and mash from their continental menu. 

Time Out tip: Make a reservation earlier for an outdoor table close to the lakeside. 

Timings: Daily. 12 noon-11.30pm from Sun-Thu and 12 noon-12 midnight on Fri & Sat.

Address: Inside Durgam Cheruvu, Road No 46, Near Ambedkar University, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana 500033

What is it: A glamorous brew pub that shows-off its wilder side over the weekend. 

Why we love it: Again – what’s with the slick and sexy breweries of late? This one sports Art Deco interiors with geometric chandeliers, mood lighting, and a fancy backlit bar. The menu’s rather exciting – I found the Ein Hofer blonde ale and wild cider to be exceptionally good, and they’ve also got a violet-tinted litchi cider worth trying out. If you’re more of a cocktail person, the bartender’s happy to whip up a vodka martini or anything else you want – off menu. 

Time Out tip: Don’t let the continental menu dissuade you from ordering from the very punchy South Indian counterpart. And don’t miss the tastefully done up bar on the first floor that’s only open on Fridays and Saturdays.

Timings: Daily. 12 noon-11.30pm from Sun-Thu and 12 noon-12.30am on Fri & Sat. 

Address: Besides Quadro living, Plot # 1026, Road No. 45 Jubilee Hills, CBI Colony, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana 500033

What is it: Drinks priced at peanuts (ha ha…ha?) in one of the poshest parts of town. 

Why we love it: You can’t possibly compile a best bars list and leave out a dive bar. Inspired by Mumbai’s legendary Leopold Cafe, Peanuts has nailed a slightly more upscale version of the vintage Parsi dive aesthetic – but with cocktails. Mr Nutty Professor’s a cinnamony, hazelnutty surprise, the clarified dragon fruity Gatsby Glamour’s perfect for folks with a sweet tooth, and Giggle Water goes down smoother than a whiskey and soda. 

Time Out tip: They’ve got a lively karaoke night on Thursdays – a rare find in the city. 

Timings: Daily. 12 noon-11.30pm from Sun-Thu and 12 noon-12.30am on Fri & Sat.

Address: Sy. No. 83, Divija commercial properties, The Skyview -10, ground floor, 1, Knowledge City Rd, Rai Durg, Hyderabad, Telangana 500032

What it is: One of Hyderabad’s busiest breweries with the best party scene in the city.

Wy go: Broadway became prominent in a short span owing to two things: great cider and outstanding pizza. Fun fact – Their puff pizza regularly outsells many pizza outlets in the city. And duh, the beer’s great. 

Time Out tip: It’s choc-a-bloc with people over the weekends, but if you manage to walk in early (around 6pm), you’ll have your seat till midnight.

Timings: Daily. 12 noon-11.30pm from Sun-Thu and 12 noon-12.30am on Fri & Sat.

Address: Rina Mandal Road, CBI Colony, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana 500033