It’s that time of the year when people start planning their winter break and booking their tickets to ring in the new year. And in case you’re still deciding where to go, Pondicherry is a great option, with pristine beaches, beautiful weather, French architecture, quaint cafes, cosy restaurants, and a raging nightlife.
A family holiday or a party plan with friends, Pondicherry suits all kinds of travellers. You can visit the town of Auroville and get in touch with your inner self and find peace, or grab a drink (or five) at a bar by the beach. There’s so much to do here, but if you’re celebrating the turn of the calendar with your friends, we’ve got the best bars and nightclubs you can check out for a fun night out!
So, here are ten night clubs and bars to go to in Pondicherry for having one of those unforgettable nights with your favourite people.
One thing to note is that all the restaurants and bars shut by 11 PM in Pondicherry, so going at a decent time and starting your night early is advised.
Le Club
Le Club is a rooftop bar located a stone throw away from the Promenade Beach, which is the main hangout spot in Pondicherry. The seafood is delicious here, so order some calamari or char-grilled prawns with your cocktails. The ambiance is romantic, so even if you want to go on a date with your boo, this is a must-visit place in the city. Note: It’s more expensive than other places in the area, so if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, this may not be the place for you.
Where: 38, Dumas Street, Beach Rd, South End, Pondicherry, 605001
Contact Number: 91-80128-20092
Timings: 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM ; 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Cost for two: Rs 2,000
Also Read 15 Awesome Night Clubs In Chandigarh To Check Out
L’ Aqua
A rooftop bar at Ajanta Sea View Hotel, L’ Aqua overlooks the pristine, blue waters of the Bay of Bengal. Come here to sample their collections of whiskeys and wines, and try a rosé cocktail or a whiskey sour. We suggest you keep an eye out for a flyer for a pool party because this place has the craziest ones. They have both live music gigs as well as a DJ console set-up so all in all it’s the party place in Pondicherry.
Where: Ajanta Sea View, 50, Goubert Ave, White Town, Pondicherry, 605001
Contact Number: +91-41-32349032
Timings: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Cost for two: Rs 1,200
Also Read 8 Cool Music Festivals In India
Tantra Lounge
Part of Hotel Anandha Inn, Tantra Lounge is one of the best places to have a great night out in the city. The cocktails here are delicious! We suggest Sex On The Beach, which is a sweet tequila-based cocktail. And when you want to take it up a notch, you can always bring out the lemons with tequila shots. There’s an in-house DJ and the kitchen plates up delicious North Indian dishes including char-grilled tikkas and malai kebabs.
Where: Hotel Anandha Inn, 154, SV Patel Salai, Heritage Town, Pondicherry
Contact Number: +91-41-32233109
Timings: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Cost for two: Rs 1,500
Pub Zipper
Pub Zipper is divided into multiple sections for every kind of night out you want to have. There is a quiet zone for sit-down dinners with family and friends, and there is a lounge and an open-air bar that plays pumping music. The only downside is that it is so popular that if you go during peak season, it becomes a little too packed and it becomes difficult to even get a drink at the bar. So, we suggest going a little early or making a reservation for a table in the lounge.
Where: 140, Maraimalai Adigal Salai, Near Bus Stand, Pudupalaiyam, Pondicherry, 605001
Contact Number: +91-41-32206934
Timings: 11:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Cost for two: Rs 1,200
Rendezvous Cafe Restaurant
The best part of Rendezvous Cafe Restaurant is that it’s situated right in the heart of the city. It isn’t one of those places with loud, pumping music through the night, but it is great for a quiet night out. Go and enjoy a glass of wine or a chilled beer with your besties. If you are a seafood lover, then the fish kolivada and crab meat are must-tries. They also offer a candlelight set-up, so romantic dinner dates are magical.
Where: 30, Rue Suffren, White Town, Pondicherry
Contact Number: +91-41-32227677
Timings: Noon – 3:30pm, 6:30pm – 10:30pm
Cost for two: Rs 1,200
Also Read Things To Do In Hyderabad
Toxic
Toxic is another rooftop bar where the vibrant nightlife of Pondicherry shines. Enjoy the cool evening breeze while sipping on a mug of wheat beer or your most favoured cocktail and nibbling on seafood. Butter garlic prawns, oysters, and fried calamari make great appetisers and you can also enjoy a smoky barbeque for freshly grilled chicken, mushrooms and broccoli. Another point in its favour is that toxic is affordable and even their alcoholic beverages are priced reasonably unlike other rooftop bars in town.
Where: Hotel Atithi, 126, SV Patel Salai, Heritage Town, Pondicherry
Contact Number: +91-41-32207500
Timings: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Cost for two: Rs 1,200
Bay of Buddha
You will fall in love with the interiors of this rooftop bar because they’re so pleasing to the eye. All blue and white, it is so peaceful to sit here and gaze at the vast waters. The canopy-like enclosures covered in white give the place a romantic vibe, so you can plan an evening with bae here. You can hear the sounds of waves crashing against the rocks and that makes for a very calming sound for a relaxed night out. It is a multi-cuisine, fine dining restaurant and serve Thai, Chinese, Malaysian, Asian, Vietnamese, Indonesian, and Korean. Must-try dishes here are sushi, papaya salad, and chicken satay.
Where: The Promenade, 23, Goubert Avenue, White Town, Pondicherry
Contact Number: +91-41-32227751
Timings: 7:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Cost for two: Rs 1,500
Dragon Lounge
Dragon Lounge is lesser-known than others in the city. This is because it isn’t very visible and is squeezed into a building on the corner of the road, so finding it is a bit of an adventure. However, the relaxed atmosphere and delightful drinks make it worth the effort. Meat lovers, chicken 65 and squid pepper fry are what you should order. Try their tequila sunrise and cosmopolitan if cocktails are your thing and also look out for one plus one offers because they have a few through the week.
Where: Laila’s County, 8, Qaid’ Ambour Salai, Heritage Town, Pondicherry
Contact Number: +91-41-32333633
Timings: 11:00 AM– 11:00 PM
Cost for two: Rs 1,200
De Bussy Restaurant
This is one of the cheapest bars in Pondicherry and the best one if you’re on a shoestring budget. It is a classic neighbourhood bar with old-fashioned fixtures and minimalist décor. Fairylights and flower wreaths add a whimsical look to the interiors. The drinks are extremely cheap, so bring out the Old Monk and Coke and party away. They serve North Indian and Mughlai, so you must order paneer tikka and fish fingers.
Where: 81, Lal Bahadur Shastri Street, Pondicherry
Contact Number: +91-41-32228814
Timings: 12 Noon – 10:30 PM
Cost for two: Rs 500
Ozone Bar
Ozone Bar is always crowded, thanks to its Happy Hours and happy vibe. Although it is fully packed, the atmosphere of the place is laidback. For food, order their grilled chicken and vegetarian chilli balls to go with your drinks.
Where: Rooftop, 2A, Anna Salai, Near Anandha Marriage Hall, Heritage Town, Pondicherry
Contact Number: +91-41-32221766
Timings: 7 PM – 11:00 PM
Cost for two: Rs 500
Ready to head to party the night away in the French Riviera of the East?
POPxo is now available in six languages: English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi and Bangla.
