Curd rice-infused cocktails and more at Bengaluru’s exclusive speakeasy

In the edifice industry, “86” refers to a concealed oregon off-menu point that is not disposable to conscionable anybody — lone to those successful the know. It is simply a fitting sanction for Number 86, a weekend-only speakeasy barroom successful Kalyan Nagar. Headed by siblings Arunima and Pranav Singla, the barroom reinvents the acquainted flavours of Bengaluru with a twist, from a curd rice-infused vodka cocktail to jackfruit gochujang tacos.

Amidst each the large-format breweries, a caller benignant of drinking acquisition has taken clasp of Bengaluru: the speakeasy. An exclusive spot that promises secrecy, mystery, and delicious cocktails. Bengaluru’s discerning drinkers are looking for curated menus that spell beyond the modular mojito. Number 86 is the newest summation to the city’s increasing postulation of artisanal cocktail bars.

Everything astir your evening present is an experience, close from solving a riddle conscionable to find the speakeasy entrance. There is adjacent a Post-it pad connected each table, wherever you tin constitute down your worries, and “86” them by passing done the shredder adjacent to the bar. The abstraction is warmly lit and conducive to a relaxing evening.

The cocktail menu

The cocktails, executed by mixologist Ramesh Kumar, gully connected determination flavours. There is Home Turf, made with vodka that has been infused with curd rice. The chilli-salt rim adds a piquant touch. We besides effort different savoury drinks— rum-based Bombay Talkies has a corn-based flavour illustration with hints of pineapple and popcorn syrup, portion the vodka-based Meth Lab packs a punch with notes of fenugreek and banana. My favourite, however, is Lalbagh 1760, a summery gin fig finished with caller melon juice.

There is besides an Omakase-style section, wherever the bartender crafts a portion specifically for you based connected a peculiar representation oregon mood. The wide effect is that of a theatrical performance, alternatively than an mean nighttime out. “Number 86 is built astir the thought of discovery. A abstraction wherever the acquisition begins earlier you adjacent locomotion in. We wanted to determination distant from accepted nightlife and make thing much immersive, wherever curiosity leads the way. It’s intimate, a small mysterious, and designed for radical who bask the feeling of being ‘in’ connected something,” says Arunima.

Pub drawback reimagined

While the nutrient paper whitethorn not beryllium arsenic inventive arsenic the cocktails, it features pub grub classics with a twist. We commencement disconnected with assemblage pleasers similar the Andhra fried chickenhearted and goat food phyllo pockets. We besides effort the sambal pork tonkatsu. The fried pork is coated with sambal paste, but the crockery does not truly enactment due to the fact that it was not arsenic crisp arsenic we would like.

The array prefers the jackfruit gochujang tacos for their saccharine and tangy flavour. The brushed ammunition tacos person smashed patties of jackfruit, nevertheless the sauces overpower the taco. Each serving has lone 1 taco. The ghee roast Korean prawns, spiced with gochujang, were besides a highlight. The crockery is served connected a furniture of atom insubstantial chips, which adds a punch to the juicy prawns.

For the main course, the paper offers elevated versions of classical post-pub dinners. We bid the burnt ail pad thai, and the array particularly likes the brownish food gnocchi for its indulgent creamy sauce. We opt for a boozy dessert— precocious checkout, a tiramisu-flavoured cocktail that is conscionable arsenic decadent arsenic the food.

The cocktail paper is decidedly the item of this place. The nutrient paper is not arsenic inventive, and nary of the dishes truly basal out. Number 86 is not connected the aforesaid level arsenic different speakeasies successful town, but it is comparatively fund friendly. True to the speakeasy spirit, it does not denote itself loudly connected societal media. The determination is sent to your fig upon booking a table; adjacent the paper is not disposable online. If you are looking for an evening that goes a small beyond the accustomed meal and drinks, Number 86 is for you.

Cost for 2 ₹3000. Open connected evenings from Friday to Sunday. In Kalyan Nagar. For much details, telephone 8496886868