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Shillong has always had a strong connection with music, and the nightlife is a reflection of that. There are old-school pubs playing rock 'n' roll, rooftop lounges with city views, and no shortage of interesting places to have a drink in Shillong. The challenge, of course, is knowing where to go, especially if you're visiting for the first time.
Two areas stand out for drinking in Shillong: Police Bazaar and Laitumkhrah. Police Bazaar is where you'll find established bars and the real nightlife. Laitumkhrah, on the other hand, is a more laid-back area with a good selection of craft beer, restaurants, and similar venues. Here's a guide to nine places you should know about.
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Police Bazaar (also known as Khyndailad) is Shillong's commercial hub. There are shops, hotels, and restaurants, but it's also home to a number of bars that are an integral part of Shillong's drinking culture. It's a very convenient place if you're looking to experience the Shillong nightlife.
Very few places encapsulate Shillong's relationship with music as well as The Evening Club. It's in the Eee Cee Hotel and dates back to 1958. It reopened as a live music venue in 2018 and blends the old and the new, with a strong emphasis on the city's music.
The Evening Club is the place to go if you're a fan of live music with your drinks, rather than a club with a loud playlist. They often have bands, karaoke, and various other forms of entertainment. The bar offers beer, spirits, and cocktails. If you're looking for a live music bar in Shillong, this is one of the best places to start.
If you're after rooftop views and a good atmosphere, Cloud 9 is definitely worth a visit. It's at the Hotel Centre Point in Police Bazaar and has long been the go-to place for Shillong's nightlife. Being on the roof, you get great views of the city.
Cloud 9 is a lounge with cocktails, food, and music as the main forms of entertainment. It can range from a laid-back evening to something more up-tempo, depending on the night. It's the kind of place you'd go if you're a fan of Shillong rooftop bars rather than the smaller local pubs.
Shad Skye takes a different approach to drinking in Shillong, with a concept inspired by the ingredients and culture of Northeast India. Located at The Shillong Address, the idea is to use local ingredients and culture as a basis for cocktails, rather than just following the well-worn path of standard drinks.
Its rooftop location also makes it ideal for a more relaxed evening. If you're looking for a Shillong cocktail bar with a real sense of local identity in the drinks it serves, Shad Skye is definitely worth a visit. It's a bar that's truly rooted in the region.
Not every night out requires a full cocktail menu and a rooftop view. Shotz Bar & Grill on GS Road in Police Bazaar is a straightforward bar and grill. It's the kind of place you'd choose if you just wanted a drink with some classic bar snacks and a relaxed vibe.
The place is all about beer, cocktails, and a menu of Chinese and local-style food. It's a more down-to-earth option than some of Shillong's upscale lounges and is another bar in Police Bazaar you should consider adding to your list.
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For those who love to dance and enjoy loud music, there's Club Tango. It's in the basement of O.B. Shopping Mall in Police Bazaar and is very much a nightclub in the true sense, with a DJ and everything that entails.
Club Tango is more suited for a party night out than for a quiet drink and conversation. The music and hours can vary, so it's worth checking the current schedule before you go.
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Laitumkhrah is quite different from Police Bazaar. It's a student neighborhood with many cafes and restaurants, offering a much more relaxed social scene. It's the kind of place you'd go if you want to spend the evening over a drink and a meal rather than going from club to club.
The Yeastern Civilization is one of Laitumkhrah's most interesting spots for beer lovers. It's at Anderson Plaza in Nongkynrih and has established itself as a go-to spot for craft beer, food, and a great atmosphere for music.
For anyone wanting to get away from the commercial beer range, this is definitely worth a visit. It's a great place to go for beer in the evening in Laitumkhrah, with a good selection of craft beers, a variety of food, and a relaxed atmosphere. Be sure to check the current beer list before you go, as the individual beers may change.
Roma Eatery offers a different experience as a restaurant with a drinks menu. It's at Shopper's Cove on Laitumkhrah Main Road and is a cozy place with a stylish interior and a good selection of international comfort food (pizzas and more).
While Roma isn't a nightclub, it's great for people who want a cocktail or a beer with their meal. It's a fairly relaxed venue, making it suitable for small groups, dates, or an evening where the food is as important as the drink.
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Dejavu Restaurant is another well-established name in Laitumkhrah for those who like Chinese food and a sit-down atmosphere. It's at the Branto Complex near Police Point, a restaurant with a bar and live music.
Rather than being a high-energy nightclub, it's a place where you can have a drink over a longer meal. It's a combination of familiar food, a bar, and music on certain evenings, making it a great option for those seeking a more relaxed nightlife in Shillong.
Shillong's nightlife is quite different from that of cities like Mumbai or Bengaluru. Most restaurants and bars close earlier than in those cities, though,, some may have later hours depending on their license, the day of the week,, and scheduled events. It's always worth checking opening hours if you're planning to go out in the evening or late at night.
Police Bazaar is the convenient option for those staying in central Shillong, while Laitumkhrah is better as a standalone stop. Taxis are useful for getting around the various areas, and it's definitely worth allowing extra time for your journey during busy evening hours.
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Shillong has always stood out for its music culture, and I wanted to explore how that carries over into the city’s bars and nightlife. For this article, I looked into some of the popular places to drink in Shillong, from longstanding establishments like The Evening Club to bars and lounges around Police Bazaar and Laitumkhrah. The idea was to put together a guide that captures the variety of Shillong’s nightlife and helps visitors discover places that suit their preferences.
Whether you're after Shillong bars and pubs with live music, rooftop cocktails, craft beer, or just a laid-back evening over dinner, Police Bazaar and Laitumkhrah both offer something unique in the city's drinking culture.
Start with The Evening Club for the music, then Cloud 9 or Shad Skye for a rooftop drink. The Yeastern Civilization is great for craft beer. In any case, always check the current hours and events before you go, and arrange a safe way back after you've had a drink.
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