Getting out of work and going straight home is not always the plan. Sometimes you just want one drink, maybe some food, a little music and an hour or two to chill. Pune actually has quite a few places that work well for this kind of early evening plan.
The good thing is that you don't necessarily have to wait until 9 or 10 pm for the nightlife to start. There are bars and restaurants around Koregaon Park, Mundhwa, Baner, Balewadi and Kalyani Nagar where you can walk in after work, order a cocktail or beer and just sit for a while. Here are seven worth considering.
Basho's is a fairly easy option if you're around Mundhwa or Koregaon Park Annexe and don't want a super loud night out. It has a more relaxed restaurant-bar feel, so you can actually talk to people without shouting across the table. The menu covers North Indian, Chinese, Mughlai and Sichuan food, along with cocktails and beer.
It also opens from late morning, which makes it useful for an early evening drink rather than a place you save only for late nights.
Address: Eden Villa, Dharkari Colony, opposite Koregaon Park Annexe, Mundhwa Road, Mundhwa, Pune
Timings: 11 AM to 11:30 PM
Approx price: INR 1,900 for two without alcohol
Also Read: Basho’s In Koregaon Park, Pune: A Hidden Gem Or A Total Disappointment?
If you want your after-work drink to feel a little more like you've actually gone somewhere, Aloraa is a good one to consider. The garden-style setting gives it a different mood from a regular city bar, and it works particularly well when you want drinks, dinner and some time outdoors.
It is behind the Mercedes-Benz showroom in the Baner area and has cocktails, a full bar and outdoor seating.
Address: Behind Mercedes-Benz Showroom, near Vibgyor School Road, Mahalunge, Pune
Timings: 12 PM to midnight
Approx price: INR 1,800 for two
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Pimlico is probably better if your idea of an after-work drink is a little more polished. The Koregaon Park outlet has a proper bar menu along with Italian, Continental, pizza and sushi options, so you can easily turn that one drink into dinner if the evening stretches longer than expected.
It opens early too, making it a decent option for that 6 PM to 8 PM window when you just want to unwind before the night gets busy.
Address: B 13/14, A 26, Vidyut Nagar Society, End Lane 6, Koregaon Park, Pune
Timings: 9 AM to 1 AM
Approx price: INR 3,000 for two without alcohol
For people who would rather have a cold beer after work than a complicated cocktail, Toit is an easy choice. The Kalyani Nagar brewpub has its own craft beer selection and a big enough menu to make an evening out of it.
It gets busy later, but heading there earlier can be a much more comfortable experience if you just want to grab a table and have a beer. Current listings show it opening at noon and staying open well into the night.
Address: Metro Compound Complex, East Ave, beside Bishop's Co-Ed School, Kalyani Nagar, Pune
Timings: 12 PM to 1:30 AM
Approx price: Around INR 800 to INR 2,000 per person depending on drinks and food
Also Read: Best Bars With Live Music In Pune
High Spirits is one of those Pune names that still makes sense when someone says, "Let's just go for a drink after work." The live music angle is a big part of its personality, but you don't have to wait until late night to go.
The place opens at noon and has a bar, food, live music and the kind of atmosphere that can easily turn a quick drink into a longer evening. If you're going on a weekday, the early hours can be a better bet before things pick up.
Address: 35A, 1, N Main Road, next to The Westin, Koregaon Park Annexe, Pune
Timings: 12 PM to midnight, with Sunday opening at 1:30 PM
Approx price: Around INR 600 to INR 1,800 per person
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If craft beer is the reason you're heading out, Effingut is worth keeping on the list. The Koregaon Park outlet has a proper brewpub setup, with craft beer, cocktails, food and music. It is also open from noon, so you can comfortably go straight from work instead of waiting for the nightlife crowd to arrive.
The early evening is actually a nice time to sit down here, especially if your group wants food with the drinks and isn't necessarily looking for a clubby night.
Address: Plot No. 389, Serene Bay, Lane No. 6, Ashok Chakra Society, Meera Nagar, Koregaon Park, Pune
Timings: 12 PM to 1:30 AM
Approx price: Around INR 1,800 for two with alcohol
Also Read: Toit Pune Review: Did India's Most Famous Brewery Live Up To The Hype?
Sometimes you don't need a big plan. Just pick a bar, order something cold and sit around talking for a couple of hours. SWIG in Koregaon Park works pretty well for exactly that.
The bar and eatery has a casual atmosphere and opens from noon, which makes it practical for an early evening stop. It is also in a part of Pune where you have plenty of options nearby if the group decides to move somewhere else later.
Address: N Main Road, opposite SBI Training Centre, Ragvilas Society, Koregaon Park, Pune
Timings: 12 PM to midnight
Approx price: Check the current menu for drink and food prices
Also Read: Where To Find Cocktails Under ₹500 In Pune? Bars To Check Out
Pune has made the after-work drink into its own little routine. You don't always need a big Friday night or a reason to dress up. Sometimes 6:30 PM, a table outside, one good cocktail and some food is enough.
Personally, I'd pick Basho's or Pimlico when I want something calmer, Toit or Effingut when I'm in the mood for beer, and Aloraa when I want the evening to feel a bit less like I've just walked out of an office. High Spirits is the one I'd keep for when the "one drink" plan is obviously not going to stay a one-drink plan.
