ZLB23 is the only Indian bar to make Asia’s 50 Best Bars list, ranked #40 in 2024 and named “Best Bar in India.” Hidden behind kitchens and corridors deep within The Leela Palace, it’s a Kyoto-inspired speakeasy that blends Prohibition-era glamour with Japanese precision and Indian flair. Reservations come with a discreet location pin to Zia’s Garden rather than a printed address — part of the theatre of getting in. Inside, velvet drapes, vintage decor, and jazz musicians from around the world set a hazy, time-slowed mood. The cocktail programme draws from the East: try the Kyoto Sunrise as a tribute to Japan, paired with the Hickory Smoked Duck for a flavour combination that’s become a signature here. For an even more intimate experience, ask about The Theatre — a seven-seat, four-act cocktail journey hidden within the bar itself. This is the bar to book well in advance for a special night.
Address: Zia’s Garden, The Leela Palace Bengaluru, 23 Old Airport Road, Bangalore 560008 Contact: +91 96320 60433
