Finally, Delhi has a real speakeasy 

Lately, it seems like every new bar wants to call itself a speakeasy. Food writer Roshni Bajaj Sanghvi wrote a whole article about it, highlighting “speakeasies” that come with a PR launch plan in place, an Instagram account open to all, and an address that is easy to find on Google Maps. 

Delhi’s The Bar Behind the Sandwich Shop is not the same. It makes you work to find it—just as it should. It is hard to Google, has a private, zero-posting social media account, and no number on the internet (but we like to reward our readers, so we’ll give you a little hint if you stay with us till the end). Located in the same neighbourhood as PCO in Basant Lok—India’s first speakeasy bar, which is now widely known but where you still need a passcode to enter—this one has the thrill of discovery built into the experience.

You begin at a modest first-floor sandwich shop, where the smell of freshly baked bread greets you. But behind a discreet doorway—a Japanese-style flap of a curtain—lies The Bar Behind the Sandwich Shop (TBBTSS), quietly waiting to be found. I first heard about it through a friend, so word-of-mouth is their real flex.

The first thing that strikes you when you enter is the buzzy energy. It’s clear that a lot of people are in on this secret. The place and its decibel levels grow on you. The space glows in flickering candlelight, with reflections dancing off wooden tables.

TBBTSS feels more like someone’s hidden living room than a commercial space, a place that’s laidback and invites you to linger. If you’re in the mood for conversation, park yourself at the bar counter, where all the action takes place. The music is the kind of playlist that would make any ’90s kid smile—upbeat enough to keep the energy alive but never loud enough to drown a good chat.

The idea was born among six friends who wanted to create a space that was cool and unpretentious—much like the tiny watering holes of Golden Gai in Tokyo’s Shinjuku neighbourhood. Of course, unlike those XS bars, this one can fit around 40 people comfortably.

The cocktail menu is a delight to explore. A bartender’s notebook in the truest sense, it’s filled with handwritten notes, sketches, tiny Polaroids, and snippets of educational tidbits. It feels like a keepsake. (Apparently, many guests take that literally, which is why it has a habit of disappearing from tables!)

Curated by Nitin Tewari (aka Mr Bartrender) and Sahil Negi, the bar programme takes a back-to-basics approach. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic Negroni or Penicillin or want to shake things up with an Old Cuban or Tommy’s Margarita, you’re in the right place. I chose the signatures, which were fun without ever feeling gimmicky. First came Water Melone with its juicy strawberry and cucumber, zesty citrus, and a crisp, clean finish. The Mango No. 5, playful and bold, has mango with the gentle heat of jalapeno and mixes tequila with a dash of whisky. Also fiery flavour-wise is Penja Heat, with white and dark rum, charred pineapple, and white Penja pepper. Grey Area, a Palo Santo–infused dark rum paired with homemade amaro and Earl Grey tea finished with a gentle fizz of ginger ale, is easy to knock back.

The Beekeeper’s Secret unfolds slowly, with gin and Aperol mingling with sweet vermouth and fermented plum, layered with bergamot and honey water for a subtly floral, earthy complexity. You’ll never order Espresso martini again if you try the Hazelnut Highball—hazelnut-infused bourbon meets cold brew coffee and creamy vanilla, brightened with lime and soda for a nutty, caffeinated lift.

TBBTSS is the sort of place you go to for these drinks, not a dinner plan. However, chef Ravinder Kathait has planned a menu full of bar nosh: The chipotle prawn skewers, with chargrilled prawns tossed in chipotle, cumin, garlic, lemon, honey and paprika, are a great munchie. The TBB Fried Chicken is the perfect pub grub. Crispy Japanese-style chicken bites served with kewpie mayo and lemon wedges? One more please. We were not equally thrilled about the citrus-kissed fish and calamari, though.

If you’re starving, the sandwich shop next door serves their menu here to satiate the hungry. Their Chicken Katsu Sandwich is generously loaded with filling and utterly delicious. Just leave some space for the Honey Shibuya Toast.

Address: Basant Lok, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi
Timings: 6 pm to 1 am, Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Mondays)
Meal for two: ₹2,500 + taxes
Reservation: +91 81306 64202