Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Kolkata’s Bar Crawl Reveals a City Beyond Cocktails
A writer who does not usually go to bars joined a bar crawl in Kolkata.
The event was part of Kolkata Cocktail Weekend, which lasted three days.
The writer tried unusual drinks and foods at several places.
Some bars also welcomed bartenders from other cities and countries.
The crawl showed that bars can share ideas and bring people together.
Kolkata’s drinking history began long before today’s cocktail bars.
Park Street became famous for nightlife, food and live music in the 1950s and 1960s.
Trincas was one important place in that story.
The writer went expecting to learn about drinks, but learned about Kolkata too.
A reluctant drinker joined Kolkata Cocktail Weekend, a three-day event organised by 30BestBarsIndia.
Stops including Rannaghor by Sienna and Nutcase showcased experimental drinks and food.
Bar takeovers brought bartenders and ideas from Penang, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Goa and Singapore to Kolkata.
The city’s drinking history stretches from 18th-century taverns to Park Street’s nightlife in the 1950s and 1960s.
Returning to Trincas, the writer found that Kolkata’s bars reflect its food, music, history and changing nightlife.
- Who
- A reluctant drinker, participating bartenders and venues, and 30BestBarsIndia, the event organiser.
- What
- A bar crawl exploring Kolkata’s drinking culture through drinks, food, music and history.
- When
- During Kolkata Cocktail Weekend, a three-day celebration; no dates are stated.
- Where
- Kolkata, including venues such as Rannaghor by Sienna, Nutcase and Trincas.
- Why
- To explore the city’s drinking and bar culture, which the writer found also reflects Kolkata’s history and changing identity.
- Event
- Kolkata Cocktail Weekend
- Duration
- Three days
- Organiser
- 30BestBarsIndia
- Rannaghor experience
- An intimate eight-seater chef’s table
- Historic nightlife district
- Park Street became a centre of Kolkata nightlife by the 1950s.
- Trincas milestone
- Usha Uthup made her debut there in 1969.
- International takeover
- Good Friend’s Club from Penang took over at JW Marriott.