Here’s where to find the best nightlife in Kolkata.

Underground

If you really want to party, Underground is the happening place of the moment and is the preferred venue for Kolkata’s creatures of the night. DJs spin a mixture of electro and hip hop, and there are often special guest appearances.

* Features: Themed in the style of the London Underground railway.
* Address: Hotel Hindustan International, 235/1 AJC Bose Road.
Ph: (33)2247-2394.
* Opening Hours: 5 p.m. until around 4 a.m.

Shisha
This intimate bar is warmly decorated in shades of crimson that give it an exotic feel. It was established in 2003 as Kolkata’s first hookah bar and judging by its popularity, the trend has really taken off. Shisha is an upmarket bar and has an entry fee of 500-1000 rupees ($12-25) to match. DJs play a mixture of house, hip hop and Bollywood. Don’t come late during the weekends or it’s likely you won’t get in.

* Features: Hookah pipes and over 25 fruit flavors of tobacco.
* Address: Ivory Block D, 22 Camac Street.
Ph: (33)2281-1313.
* Opening Hours: 8 p.m. until 4 a.m.

Someplace Else Pub
For a taste of live music and a real pub atmosphere, the place to be is Someplace Else. It feels a little strange to see Indian cover bands playing western rock songs, but they do it to perfection and the atmosphere is alive.

* Features: Designed as a British pub.
* Address: The Park Hotel, 17 Park Street.
Ph: (33)2249-3121.
* Opening Hours: 4 p.m. until 2 a.m.

Aqua
A new addition to the Kolkata party scene, Aqua is a bar with a difference. It’s completely open air with a swimming pool in the middle. There’s a resident DJ, an inviting cocktail list, as well as lounges and private shamiana style tents for chilling out. The music ranges from relaxed progressive to uplifting trance.

* Features: A full size swimming pool and hot tub.
* Address: The Park Hotel, 17 Park Street.
Ph: (33)2249-9000.
* Opening Hours: Midday until around 1 a.m.

Tantra
Tantra provides a big club experience and stays open after the other places close. It’s spread over two levels with a floor space of 5,000 square feet. On Saturday nights Tantra rocks until the sun comes up, when DJs play psychedelic trance from 4am until 6am. Don’t come during the week though, as it tends to be very quiet then.

* Features: Two levels and two bars.
* Address: The Park Hotel, 17 Park Street.
Ph: (33)2249 7336.
* Opening Hours: 8 p.m. until 4-6 a.m. depending on the crowd.

Dublin
ITC The Sonar Bangla
23454545

I Lounge
The Metropolis Mall
2nd Floor
24367812

Red Kitchen & Lounge
The Enclave
17/1 F Alipore Road
24489951/ 52

Roxy
The Park
22493121/ 9000

Shisha
22 Camac Street, Block B 5th Floor
22811313

Soho & Mezze
Ideal Plaza Building,
11/1 Sarat Bose Road Ground Floor
22896059

Someplace Else
The Park
22493121/ 9000

Starstruck Retro Lounge
Forum, 5th Floor
30520080/ 81/ 82 30901030

Tantra
The Park
22493121/9000

The Big Ben
The Kenilworth
1 & 2 Little
Russell Street
22823939/40

Underground
Hotel Hindusthan International
22802323

Virgose
Hotel Hindusthan International
22802323

Venom
Fort Knox
6, Camac Street, 8th Floor
39522900/ 01

Gone are the days when Hookahs were considered outdated, today they have reclaimed their stately status of being a status symbol, a privilege of only the royals and other blue bloods. Today they have successfully moved out of smoky sanctums into public hot spots all over the country. The allure of the hookah is not just about the regal attitude, but it is also considered to be a less harmful alternative to smoking.

Location of Shisha Bar, Kolkata
Address: 22, Camac Street
Phone : 2281 1313
Website: http://www.ivorykitchen.com/kol/

Venom is Located on the eight floor of a city high rise, the basic mantra of Venom is simple – dazzling lights, synchronized sound and sight and a big dance floor to give a new high to party hoppers of the city.

Location of Venom, Kolkata
Address : Fort Knox, the jewellery mall on 6 Camac Street
Nearby Landmark : Pantaloons , Westside

In the members only Bodhi Bar you can enjoy the finest cigars, cognacs and single malts while watching the action below. Theme nights with celebrities, both national and international, best DJ music and special Sunday jam sessions make it the city’s busiest address for the nights.

Address : The Park Hotel, 17 Park Street
Phone : 91+33+ 2249 9000
Fax : 91+33+2249 4000
Web : http://calcutta.theparkhotels.com
Annual Membership Cost : Rs. 33,000 including Bodhi Bar and Rs 16,500 a year just to dance and hang out
Nearest Metro Station : Park Street