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Move over, espresso martinis—New York nightlife just got a heavy hit of garam masala. Opening in NoMad, INDN bills itself as the city’s first "all-Indian cocktail bar" and it’s not shy about its mission: to bring the bold, spicy and downright playful flavors of Indian cuisine into your glass.
The project comes from Simran “Sim” Bakshi and Kanika Vij, as well as Kanika’s father, Vicky Vij, the man behind Midtown’s beloved Bukhara Grill and one of New York City’s most prolific Indian caterers. Together, the trio is mixing decades of hospitality cred with a new-school vision of Indian dining that’s equal parts serious and cheeky.
At INDN, the drinks don’t just flirt with Indian flavors, they commit. The Butterface, for example, is a clarified mezcal cocktail infused with Empirical Ayuuk, fenugreek, garam masala and lemon—essentially butter chicken in coupe-glass form. Then there’s Paneer Panic, a Bombay Sapphire and cilantro-spiked riff on saag paneer, served with an actual cube of paneer floating inside. Other standouts include How Can She Slap?! (a smoky-sweet blend of whisky, rum, mango and ginger), the tangy Chaat Margarita with yogurt and tamarind and the Pickle Backstabber, which leans into pickle oil and saline for a briny punch.
Of course, drinking on an empty stomach is never a good idea and INDN’s kitchen is just as ambitious. A team of chefs hailing from prestigious Indian hotels are turning out chakhna, snack plates designed to pair with booze. Expect three-day-marinated lamb seekh kebabs, sloppy joe-style keema pao and crispy Amritsari fish fried in a spiced chickpea batter.
Vegetarians aren’t left out, with options like smoky tandoori mushrooms and crisp palak chaat topped with yogurt, chutneys and pomegranate seeds. For bigger appetites, there are hearty mains like bhuna mutton, slow-cooked dal straight from the Bukhara Grill playbook and a variety of breads and pulaos.
The design of the space is equally intentional. Oversized garage doors open into a warm, minimalist room anchored by a twin-arched bar and forest-inspired wallpaper, accented with Indian-imported silverware and custom furniture. There’s even a private dining room tucked away for groups who want to sip their pickle cocktails in peace.
INDN opens at 30 W. 30th Street, with reservations available on Resy. Hours run until midnight most nights and later on weekends. Consider it your new go-to for cocktails with actual spice.