Promenade's bringing some seriously cool, edgy new-kid-on-the-block energy to Hauz Khas Village – and loads of seriously cool, edgy new kids on the block to the neighbourhood with it. I mean, even the two young men who run the shop are – you got it – seriously cool, edgy new kids on the block. Obviously, it's not a run-of-the-mill bookstore. It's a pocket-sized, carefully-curated wonderland for people who have a life off of Instagram.
The shelves here are lined with vintage finds and indie press darlings, all arranged in a surprisingly neat and tidy way – which is a bit of a blessing, given that it's a tiny store. You'll be sure to find books that you never knew existed – and that's because most of them are probably printed on their own printing press with the intention of resurrecting out of print literature that's been unfairly buried under the weight of mass market fluff. They've also got a wonderful selection of Japanese literature, European classics, and desi pulp fiction.
Promenade leans hard into nostalgia in a very distinctly Gen-Z way – kind of like happening upon your parents' cool records and reclaiming them as your own. If you go, you're going to end up browsing the blurb of Dostoyevsky's Notes From Underground with a grunge playlist blasting in the background. And honestly? It's a pretty fun (and strangely fitting) experience.
Time Out Tip:
Come here alone, please.
Opening times:
Mon-Sun 11am-8.30pm