Top 10 Luxurious Rooftop Bars and Lounges in Delhi
Delhi’s skyline does most of the work for its rooftop scene, Qutub Minar rising out of Mehrauli, Humayun’s Tomb glowing gold at sunset, the glittering sprawl of Aerocity from twenty floors up. But the best rooftop bars in the city know that a view alone isn’t enough. These ten places pair the skyline with genuinely serious cocktail programmes, considered design, and the kind of service that makes an evening feel like an occasion rather than just a night out. Start the evening at one of Delhi’s luxury spas, or end it with dinner at one of the city’s top private restaurants.
1. Cirrus 9, The Oberoi New Delhi
Cirrus 9 is the rooftop most Delhi regulars mention first, and for good reason. Set against panoramic views of the golf course greens and the UNESCO World Heritage Humayun’s Tomb, it’s built around innovative, handcrafted cocktails and an eclectic international menu, best enjoyed under the open sky to a specially curated music selection. The standout is the Signature Skyline Cocktail Menu, nine cocktails each inspired by a different city landmark, a genuine tribute to Delhi’s heritage rather than a gimmick. Recently renovated, the space also connects to the hotel’s own cigar lounge for anyone looking to extend the evening indoors.
Vibe: Luxurious and elevated, a special-occasion spot. Note: Guests under 25 are only permitted until 8 PM, per Delhi excise rules, and the dress code excludes flip-flops.
2. Dramz Delhi
Dramz is less a single bar and more a multi-level experience, spanning three to four distinct floors, each curated for a different purpose. It’s a whiskey bar and lounge at its core, alongside European cuisine and an enviable wine cellar, but the real draw is variety within one address: live Qawwali music on one level, a sophisticated whiskey bar on another, and an open rooftop terrace with the Qutub Minar in view for a premium dinner. The Scottish cottage-inspired architecture and lavish interior make it one of the most visually distinctive venues on this list.
Vibe: Grand, layered, whiskey-forward. Good for: An evening that moves through several moods rather than staying in one place all night.
3. Aban By Thai High, Mehrauli
A cozy, fairy-light-lit rooftop with an authentic Thai menu and a genuinely enchanting view of the Qutub Minar, Aban has built a loyal following for exactly the kind of evening it promises: warm, romantic, and beautifully lit. The food, standouts include Pad Thai and crispy chicken, is consistently well-reviewed, and the setting alone makes it a strong pick for a Mehrauli evening built around slow, unhurried dining rather than a high-energy night out.
Vibe: Romantic, intimate, photogenic. Good for: Anniversary dinners and dates built around the Qutub Minar view.
4. Molecule Air Bar, Aerocity
Molecule takes a different kind of view entirely, multi-level open sections with a direct line of sight to Delhi airport’s approach lights at night, an unexpectedly mesmerising backdrop for a rooftop drink. Its Aerocity location makes it a natural pre- or post-flight stop, but it’s built a following well beyond travelers for its layered, open-air design and late-night energy.
Vibe: Modern, multi-level, unusual sightlines. Good for: A pre-flight drink or a late-night Aerocity plan.
5. QBA, Connaught Place
Set in the heart of CP’s Inner Circle on the 3rd floor, QBA is a large-scale operation, 14,000 square feet of dining space spread over two floors, with a rooftop terrace layered in cosy lighting and comfortable lounge sofas overlooking the surrounding area. The menu ranges genuinely wide, vegetarian to meat, Chinese to Italian, with a bar programme that swings from fine cocktails to buckets of beer, making it one of the more versatile large-group venues in central Delhi.
Vibe: Casual, spacious, central. Good for: Large groups and after-work gatherings in CP.
6. Sky Bar, The Park Hotel, Connaught Place
A reliable, central choice with genuinely good views over Connaught Place, Sky Bar keeps its design deliberately simple: artificial grass underfoot, plants lining the space, and open city views built for slow evenings rather than a loud night out. It tends to draw an older, more settled crowd, with quality service that’s earned it a loyal regular base over the years.
Vibe: Understated, reliable, CP-central. Good for: A quieter evening without sacrificing location or service quality.
7. Lodi – The Garden Restaurant
Technically not a rooftop, Lodi trades altitude for a different kind of open-air atmosphere entirely: heritage garden dining near Lodi Road, under beautifully arranged lighting, with cocktails and food strong enough to hold their own against any rooftop on this list. It’s a favourite for guests who want the open-sky feeling of a rooftop bar without the wind or the noise that comes with being twenty floors up.
Vibe: Heritage, garden-set, elegant. Good for: A refined evening that still feels like it’s under the stars.
8. Raise The Bar, Gurugram
Roughly 30 kilometres southwest of central Delhi, Raise The Bar has built a strong reputation of its own within the NCR rooftop circuit. The terrace leans warm and inviting, wooden detailing, a fireplace, cosy lighting, paired with a genuine 360-degree view of the Gurugram skyline. The cocktail programme is creative and well-executed, and the space stays open nightly with a wide-ranging food menu to match.
Vibe: Warm, wood-toned, panoramic. Good for: A destination night out for those willing to make the drive from central Delhi.
9. The Sky High, Noida
An open-air rooftop that deliberately positions itself as an escape from the noise of the city around it, The Sky High softens the surrounding traffic hum and sets an easy, unhurried rhythm for the evening. The menu spans Asian, Italian, Mughlai, and Continental dishes, served against a 360-degree city view, with a trendy, minimalist design that keeps the focus on the skyline rather than the decor.
Vibe: Lively, social, relaxed. Good for: A romantic evening or an easy night out with friends, away from the busier Delhi crowds.
10. Vinyls and Cigars
The most deliberately discreet entry on this list. There’s no signage outside, the lift simply opens onto a small door marked “Vinyls and Cigars,” leading into a room with a ceiling styled after Japanese sand art and small tables scattered through the space. It’s the closest thing Delhi has to a genuine speakeasy on a rooftop, built for guests who already know it’s there rather than for passing foot traffic.
Vibe: Speakeasy, hushed, design-forward. Good for: Guests who want their evening to feel like a discovery rather than a booking.
Before You Go
A few practical things worth knowing across Delhi’s rooftop scene. Under current Delhi excise policy, licensed venues are generally permitted to serve alcohol until fairly late, but individual venues set their own last-call times, so it’s worth confirming closing hours when you book, especially on weekends. Several of the city’s most popular rooftops, Cirrus 9 and Aban By Thai High in particular, get genuinely crowded on weekend evenings, and reservations are strongly recommended rather than optional if you want a table with the actual view rather than one tucked toward the back.
Weather also plays a bigger role here than in most cities. Delhi’s rooftop season peaks firmly in the cooler months, October through March, when open-air terraces are at their most comfortable; the peak summer months bring heat that pushes even the best-designed rooftops indoors or onto covered sections. If you’re visiting between April and June, call ahead to confirm whether the outdoor terrace will actually be in use that evening.
For more Delhi lifestyle and nightlife guides, visit realshepower.in.
Sources: The Rooftop Guide, Wanderlog, District.in, Time Out Delhi, The Oberoi New Delhi, Zomato, The Delhi Tours.
