Bar Spirit Forward helped kick off Bangalore’s shift toward smaller, more deliberate cocktail bars when it opened on Lavelle Road, and it remains one of the city’s most respected rooms for serious drinking. Seating only 60 people, the space is anchored by a low bar counter designed for conversation — founder and creative director Arijit Bose wanted people sitting at the bar, watching technique-forward cocktails being shaken, stirred, and poured. Signature drinks include the tequila-blanco, fermented-plum-and-guava Southern Star, and the 3 Gin Vesper Martini. The Omakase-style layout puts you front-row to the bartenders’ craft, and a small mic setup occasionally turns the room into an intimate gig venue. Earthy, clean interiors keep the focus exactly where it should be — on the glass in front of you.
Address: Ground Floor, Hotel Southern Star, 40/2, Lavelle Road, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Bangalore 560001
