OG Bar Recommendations From A Bonafide Punekar’s Diaries
Pune is a very colourful city. It is a place which witnesses a melting pot of cultures trickling in from different towns across the country, even as it retains its distinct Puneri charm. This city and its Punekars have become most known for their determined cynicism and their direct speech – the little notice boards outside their homes which announce to the world how much milk the milkman should deliver or those in little tin shops, decidedly telling people they will have to pay exact change if they want to buy something!
But to my mind, inherent to a Punekar is the quality of habituality. Ask a Puneri person where they would find good bread, they’d say head over to Green Bakery. Try introducing a Punekar to a new sweet shop and they’d go, ‘Fine but do they make bakarwadi like Chitale?’
Us Punekars buy our mangoes from Desai Brothers, we get our knick-knacks from Tulshibaug and we shop for books only at Appa Balwant Chowk (and mind you, it’s चौक, never, चौंक!)
That’s who we are: creatures moulded by habit… so much that we just seem to know where a hole-in-the-wall shop would be without really requiring a big board outside to find it. We know, it’s right there where we left it for decades – next to the big banyan or right opposite the sugarcane juice wala or diagonally situated from the vada pav thela!
And such is the case with our gastronomy and mixology too.
Today, as Pune city itself witnesses a rapid expansion which continues to dramatically stretch its contours, so too the restaurant and bar landscape in this city has undergone a transformative shift.
Over the last couple of decades, with the entry of famed pubs and bars like Hard Rock Cafe and breweries like The Corianthians, fine drink and dine places slowly began to proliferate in this city.
But today, all the dynamic areas in Pune are witnessing new bars coming up every few years, yet none of these seem built to last the test of time. Certain spaces have very little to offer guests in terms of ambience, others are all show and no taste!
These places shut down just as fast as they relaunch and revamp, never truly tuning into the pulse of this city’s people who seek things that last.
Platefuls of nachos with faux cheese sauce which comes out of a can and bruschetta prepared half-heartedly with a stray olive for garnish are hardly fascinating anymore. Derivative pastas on every menu card in trendy pubs cease to impress and cocktails blended with just subtle twists do little to elevate their taste to match the ambience and price points of these seemingly trendy spots.
So, the Punekar in me seeks out those bars and pubs which have been around for decades, which barely need publicity and which offer some excellent food. Most importantly, they build in me a feeling of habituality. And as such a Punekar, some of these OG bars remain my most treasured recommendations for any food and mixology enthusiast trying to find good spots in this city:
1000 Oaks
The best thing about the OG bars in Pune is that they cater to patrons across different demographics: they can render a speakeasy vibe just as much as they can transform themselves into a nightclub. Take 1000 Oaks, for instance. While the outdoor seating at ‘TOaks’ offers a quiet vibe perfect for date night, those sitting inside amidst dim lights and excellent music can take to the makeshift dance floor to shake a leg on the weekend. The Barman’s Pitcher here remains an absolute classic and the cheese nanza, is what a Punekar would exaggeratedly deem to be ‘the best in the whole world!’
Kalinga
Yet another spot in the city which remains that much special to this writer because it is a generational date spot in my family is Kalinga, a seafood restaurant and bar. Known for its house crafted beer, Kalinga has interesting options to choose from including the Indrayani lager and the apple cider. And the best part? Kalinga puts out for its guests little bowls of munchies like peanuts and chaklis – a Punekar’s favourites, totally on the house!
Kwality
Speak of OG places in the city, and a Punekar would of course, think of Kwality situated in Kothrud. Another place which functions as a bar as well as a good place to have dinner, it is quite easy on the pocket. Kwality is also an excellent place to try out different classic and signature cocktail blends and there are free bar bites on offer here too, without making a Punekar pay their way through chaklis and fryums.
Symphony
Heading to Symphony is like opting for a speakeasy-like space where it is possible to have a beer or a good quality whisky dram with friends. This is another one of the old spots, built to stand through time because of its excellent food such as its veg bhuna, its butter chicken and its plate of appams.
Doolally Taproom
One of the first breweries to open in this city, Doolally at The Corinthians remains an absolute favourite. It is one of the OG bars to head to for a pint of apple cider and a plateful of finely crafted fries. Good live music awaits guests here, which infuses such a bright and lively vibe into this place. Removed from the typicality of the menus and extravagant ambience that modern bars and pubs seem to offer, Doolally nonetheless exudes a fine, sophisticated feel of being rooted in the city.
Also Read: Goa’s Best Bars: A Guide to the City’s Top Drinking Spots, Top 5 Bars In Delhi That Are A Must Visit For Foodies
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
