Raqeeb Raza

For decades, the city’s queer community navigated underground parties and whispered word-of-mouth locations. Today, the capital’s LGBTQIA+ nightlife scene is starting to boom, far beyond the confines of prioritising a safe space or someone’s parents’ house (though those never get old). You’ve got the trailblazing dance floors of Connaught Place. The free-spirited rooftops of Hauz Khas, the sophisticated mixology-forward bars of Greater Kailash, their nearby chilled-out older sibling dive bars, and those two Aurobindo Market icons that feel like they’re caught in an enemies-to-lovers trope. Delhi’s queer nightlife is more diverse than meets the eye at first. This city hosts spectacular high-decibel drag, sultry corners for dates, and spots for a cold beer, and none of them wave a rainbow flag during Pride month just for the sake of publicity. Some do lovely LGBTQ+-specific programming, while others are local haunts where inclusivity to the queer community is woven into the very fabric of their hospitality. Whether in glitter or a T-shirt, run! Crowds fill in faster on certain nights than others.

For all of Delhi’s weather this month of the year, the city’s queer community never fails to pack in a calendar that, at the very least, makes up for the fact that it’s too hot to hold parades in June. You’ve got your shimmer and nightlife, but you’ve also got workshops, screenings, and some brilliant creative work all month-round. These are some of the best, tried and tested. Bring your friends – or even come alone and make some. Happy Pride!

Depot48 is proof that Thursday nights in Delhi don’t have to be boring. If you like your nights loud, buzzing, and unapologetically queer, this one should be on your radar. They’ve also become quite well-known for platforming independent music and other fun events. There are multiple seating options. On the second floor, things are intimate: karaoke nights, screenings, drag shows, and bar seating for people who like to spend time alone while sipping away their mid-week blues. Step onto the terrace, though, and all restraint disappears. On a Thursday evening, it’s packed shoulder-to-shoulder with unmatched energy and banger songs to keep your feet tapping. Plus, a gender-neutral bathroom that feels normal and not performative.  The owner recommended his favourites to us, and we obliged. The crispy chicken bao is soft bread hugging a fried chicken chunk, loaded with sriracha mayo and fresh veggie crunch – and comfort food always works, after all. The steamed chicken momo came juicy and meaty. In Delhi, one generally steers clear of momos in bars… not here. You blink, the plate’s gone. We also tried some fries and hummus and pita chilli – both decent, but nothing out of the ordinary. Ask us again when we’re several pints down though. The real star is the Monicatini. It is a vodka-based drink that is spicy and sour. Spiced with green chilli and a candied ginger piece, this is a perfect accompaniment to the food and a perfect nudge to the dance floor. There are many other wonderfu

Amaltas is washed in soft yellows and greens, with traditional cane chairs and warm wood tones. It’s fitting for a space that evokes nostalgic flavours with a slight touch of fusion. From ingredients like Bandel Cheese (available thanks to Portuguese influence in parts of Bengal) to the tangy mutton dish Khatta Meat from Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, the restaurant manages to package hyper-local dishes into global palettes. Things at Amaltas escalate very fast. Small plates turn into serious commitments, such as the one we began with – the signature dish Jalebi Chaat. It’s mischievous by design. Crispy jalebis here shed their syrupy innocence and slip into savoury territory, tangled up with spiced yoghurt, tamarind and green chutney. It’s familiar enough to feel safe, but different enough to keep you guessing on the next bite. Then we had what’s now my favorite thing on the menu, Shrooms. It’s three kinds of mushrooms with three different marinations on them, cooked to perfection in the classic tandoor. The portobello mushroom is marinated in cream and cheese, shiitake mushroom in green, herby sauce, while the cremini is marinated in the desi kick of kasundi (a Bengal-specific mustard sauce). It’s served with a tart and despite being a vegetarian dish, one can argue it tastes meatier than the others, if not more. With Lebu & Cream Prawns, things get even creamier. The prawns are served with crunchy tails, while the softness of the flesh is complimented by a coconut cream sauce sh