Rumour has it that Shillong has always harbored dimly-lit nightclubs and bars dating back to as late as the Second World War. After a slight decline in the late 70s, Shillong has finally picked up where it had left off.
With more and more travelers rolling into the depths of Shillong’s natural beauty, bars have upped their game. This includes the ever-growing music culture and edgy interiors mixed carefully with classic cocktails and unimaginable ambiance. Let’s explore what the city has to offer.
Bars In Shillong For A Fun Night Out
- The Evening Club
- Dejavu
- Tango RestroBar and Lounge
- Cloud 9 Resto Lounge Bar
- Mikado Lounge
- The Taproom Sports Bar & Lounge
- Polo Irish Pub
1. The Evening Club
This one is probably one of the oldest on the list, dating back to as far back as 1958. It has since reopened in 2018 and now focuses more on the local cultures and live music. The Evening Club is all about enclosing Shillong inside a pandora’s box and filling it with music, luxury, and of course, drinks! The place has become the most hangout-worthy gem due to its inclusion of local and touring bands’ performances.
What to expect when you’re there? The Evening Club packs luxury experiences with lip-smacking Italian dishes that are worth a try. And while you’re there, don’t forget to order those signature cocktails everyone is always raving about. Might we suggest sweet cocktails like Moscow Mule or Margherita that would go perfectly with a chicken pizza? Enjoy with a garnish of a head bobbing Western hits.
Timings: 1 pm to 9 pm
Address: The Eee Cee Hotel, Khyndailad, Police Bazar, Shillong
Must Haves: Sangria, Fusion food
Rates: INR 1500 for two
Also Read: Best Bars In Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad
2. Dejavu
Dejavu’s well-planned, low seating arrangement invites you and your friends to come and have a seat, get a drink, and level up the gossip game. This is the kind of place that has open-brick walls and continental type of decor. And if the gossip has found its end, then just sit back and enjoy some live music, they’ve got that too.
Even though Dejavu highlights its specialty in Chinese cuisine, you can also find a variety of other continental and North Indian options. You can start with your beers which will put you in line with the rest of the youngsters that flood the place. If that’s not your game, you can also try the Cottage Cheese Taipan (the paneer is homemade!) or Pork Chow Fan Fried Rice, if you like the spice.
Timing: 11 am to 10 pm
Address: Nongkynrih, Laitumkhrah, Shillong
Must Haves: Beautifully curated selection of beers, Cuba Libre, Crispy Fried Sliced Pork, and Chocolate Mud Pie
Rates: INR 1500 for two
3. Tango RestroBar and Lounge
Tango is part bar and part disco that provides the ultimate experience where you can let loose and dance the night away. It spreads across a large space with a corner-placed bar that is ready to serve your every need. Be it a group finding the right place to have a blackout night or a solo traveler finding a nesting place after a sturdy walk around Ward’s Lake, Tango finds a way to provide for the necessity.
Tango also has happy hours on multiple occasions so keep in mind to check their social media. Pair your drinks with either some spicy Chinese or your basic Italian pasta. The decent price range promises not to make you feel guilty for ordering more than the standard quantities. So, go ahead and order another glass, we won’t judge!
Timing: 1 pm to 10:30 pm
Address: Basement, OB Shopping Mall, Police Bazar, Shillong
Must Haves: Tequila Sunrise, Tango Special Mocktail, Spicy Potato Bombs
Rates: INR 1800 for two
Also Read: Tips For First-Time Drinkers
4. Cloud 9 Resto Lounge Bar
Be it casual drinks after a long day or an old-school get-together with your childhood best friends, Cloud 9 will set the right mood for you. This place is located in the luxurious Hotel Centre Point and proves to be the epitome of pretty lighting and energy-filled amusement. They host different events with live DJs, music performances, and Girls’ Night specials, for all-girl groupies. If you love some wind in your hair, consider an outside seating placement in their rooftop space.
This place aims to entice you with its lush decor and push you towards the dance floor where worries are drowned in liquor. Even if you prefer to indulge in your safest beer options, you should still consider giving Cloud 9’s popular cocktails a shot. You just can’t go wrong with a Ginger Martini!
Timing: 1 pm to 10 pm
Address: Hotel Centre Point, Police Bazar, Khyndailad, Shillong
Must Haves: Korean Wings, Spicy Chicken Chilli, and Button Mushrooms
Rates: INR 1200 for two
Also Read: Red Bull Cocktails To Supercharge Your Parties
5. Mikado Lounge
Mikado Lounge is certainly an eye-catching place with lots of neon streams attached right to the ceiling. This gives it a cool discotheque vibe. The price range may make you doubt if this place can really give you the time of your life. Well, the answer is, yes! Mikado quickly changes into an engaging nightclub when the guest DJs start their sets. And if you’re a comedy fanatic, Mikado also hosts Comedy Nights that has previously featured talented performers like Abjineet Mishra, Sumit Anand, and Aakash Mehta.
Offering a wide range of drinks and food options, you get to solve your dilemma between comfort and exploration. We have gone through multitudes of recommendations but we think Lahori Kebab, Murg Mumtas, and Chicken Tikka pair perfectly with beer and hard liquors.
Timing: 11 am to 11 pm
Address: Hotel Pine Borough, Police Bazar, Shillong
Must Haves: Paneer Khurchan, Paneer Jaipuri Afghani Chicken
Rates: INR 1600 for two
6. Taproom Sports Bar and Lounge
If you’re a sports fan looking for a decent space to view the next big game, this might be the place for you. Not into sports? That’s okay, you can attend their raving DJ performances if that’s your scene. Flooded with a wide range of cocktails and cuisines, Taproom impresses the drinker and the foodie in you.
Visit here during their happy hours and you’ll get your money’s worth. Even though you can stick to your basic starter packs like Cosmopolitan or Old Monk, you would want to dive into one of Taproom’s best, namely Mai Tai,
Timing: 3 pm to 10 pm
Address: McCabe Road Polo, The Taproom, 4th Furlong, Shillong
Must Haves: Mai Tai
Rates: 1300 for two
Also Read: How To Drink Rum?
7. Polo Irish Pub
Here’s a little something we got from this venue’s website. ‘Our dance pub offers chic interiors, psychedelic music with mouth-watering snacks, and a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.’ Yep, this place hosts numerous eventful evenings. Some great ones to look out for are Divas Night, Karaoke Night, and our personal favorite, Bollywood Night, which keeps your edgy dance moods alive.
If you want to get to the hard liquor for cocktails straight away, we suggest Irish Knock Out and A Night in Shillong which honors the name of the city itself. Pair these with their carefully curated bar snacks like Loaded Potato Skins, Veg Kebabs Platter, Bacon Wrapped Chicken, and Drunken Meat Balls.
Timing: 9 am to 10 pm
Address: Hotel Polo Towers, Polo Grounds, Shillong
Must Haves: Shillong Sling, Platinum Passion, Cheese Chilli Poppers, Mighty Chicken Burger, ginger wine, sonyong ale
Rates: INR 1600 for two
Summing Up
Shillong is filled with a multitude of bars and restaurants that host live music. It’s cooped up in breathable, ambient space that will complete the night with a blast. Most of these places heavily feature Western live music but don’t worry if you are a sucker for Hindi songs. Some of these bars also have Bollywood Nights. So choose the place of your liking and let its charm, alcohol, and music cast their magic on you.
FAQs
Does Shillong Have A Nightlife?
The short answer would be, yes. The history of Shillong highlights the depiction of nightlife that dates back to the 1940s, and even though it followed a slight decline in the 70s, a lot has changed over the past 50 years.
Is Alcohol Available In Shillong?
Shillong offers and stocks a variety of liquors, ranging from beers, wines, rum, vodka, and whiskey. Shillong also has its local alcohol – Maw-baw, a millet beer, that is unique to the city.
What Is The Price Of Whiskey In Shillong?
Depending on the quality of the whiskey, the range can expand from INR 500 to as high as INR 22,000. A 750ml bottle of Royal Stag can cost you INR 440 while a 750ml bottle of Chivas Regal Premium Scotch Aged 12 Yrs is INR 3,300.
Which Language Is Spoken In Shillong?
Though English remains to be the official language of the state, the locals speak Khasi. Other languages that are spoken include Hindi, Nepali, Garo, Bengali, Urdu and Punjabi.
Why Is Shillong Called The Scotland Of The East?
Shillong is filled with rolling hills that reminded the British of Scotland and hence named Shillong, the Scotland of the East. Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya which is located mainly in the Khasi Hills.
What Do Shillong People Eat?
Food is mainly made with red rice paired with either chicken or pork. Other common dishes include Jodah, Tungrymbai, Dohneiiong, Shillong Momos, Pukhlein, and Rice with dohjem.
