MONKEY BAR, DELHI
From Features Desk
Fun, quirky, and unapologetically Indian –
Monkey Bar, India’s first and most beloved
gastropub, part of the renowned Olive Group of
restaurants, has reopened in a fresh avatar, this
time edgier and vibier than ever before.
Nestled in its iconic pyramid glass building in Vasant Kunj, Monkey Bar promises an elevated experience for food and drink enthusiasts. The newly reimagined gastropub offers a tantalizing culinary journey, where regional Indian dishes shine alongside global favorites, and street food from bustling ‘patli gullies’ stands tall alongside international culinary treasures discovered in hidden corners and narrow alleys across the world.
Drawing inspiration from the dynamic global bar scene and cherished Mo Bar classics, every facet of the bar has been reimagined while paying homage to India’s rich indigenous food and beverage culture.
The design vision transforms Monkey Bar into an “Urban Tropical Dreamscape”, marking the beginning of a series of immersive makeovers.
Nestled in its iconic pyramid glass building in Vasant Kunj, Monkey Bar promises an elevated experience for food and drink enthusiasts. The newly reimagined gastropub offers a tantalizing culinary journey, where regional Indian dishes shine alongside global favorites, and street food from bustling ‘patli gullies’ stands tall alongside international culinary treasures discovered in hidden corners and narrow alleys across the world.
Drawing inspiration from the dynamic global bar scene and cherished Mo Bar classics, every facet of the bar has been reimagined while paying homage to India’s rich indigenous food and beverage culture.
The design vision transforms Monkey Bar into an “Urban Tropical Dreamscape”, marking the beginning of a series of immersive makeovers.
Guests can look forward to a contemporary space
with an inviting ambiance, a lush terrace, and an
innovative bar experience that pushes
boundaries.
A.D. Singh, Founder and Managing Director of
the Olive Group of Restaurants, shares, “The
Olive Group is thrilled to introduce a new
generation of bars in Delhi with the stunning
relaunch of Monkey Bar. Set in the iconic Pyramid,
it’s a space unlike any other in the city. Here, we
celebrate the flavors of India with delicious,
lesser-known regional dishes alongside our
legendary burgers and more.
The food is perfectly paired with a cocktail menu featuring some of the most irresistible drinks in town. And if you’re not in the mood for cocktails, Monkey Bar also serves some of the best coffee around, along with fun games like pool and foosball.”
Adding to the charm of Monkey Bar Delhi is supermodel and entrepreneur Sonalika Sahay, who has partnered with the Olive Group to elevate the guest experience with her signature hospitality. With over a decade of expertise in creating social experiences, Sonalika helps make Monkey Bar a buzzing destination for dining, drinking, and socializing.
Since its inception in Bangalore in May 2012, Monkey Bar has expanded to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai. As it celebrates its enduring popularity in the capital, the brand reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere that keeps guests coming back for more.
The food is perfectly paired with a cocktail menu featuring some of the most irresistible drinks in town. And if you’re not in the mood for cocktails, Monkey Bar also serves some of the best coffee around, along with fun games like pool and foosball.”
Adding to the charm of Monkey Bar Delhi is supermodel and entrepreneur Sonalika Sahay, who has partnered with the Olive Group to elevate the guest experience with her signature hospitality. With over a decade of expertise in creating social experiences, Sonalika helps make Monkey Bar a buzzing destination for dining, drinking, and socializing.
Since its inception in Bangalore in May 2012, Monkey Bar has expanded to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai. As it celebrates its enduring popularity in the capital, the brand reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere that keeps guests coming back for more.
The Culinary Delights
At the heart of the new Monkey Bar lies a thoughtfully curated menu that tells a story
through every dish and drink. Iconic Monkey Bar classics share the spotlight with bold new Indian flavors and international favorites, each layered with unexpected twists to delight every palate.
trove of flavors, offering fiery Fire Pork, crispy Deep Fried Anchovy, indulgent Bacon-wrapped Prawns, the robust Sahuji Mutton Roll, innovative Idlis with a Twist, aromatic Curry Leaf Wings, and rich Coconut Buff.
For those seeking something truly unique, the menu shines with standout dishes like the fragrant Dabeli, packed with spicy potato filling, the delicately spiced Methi Prawns infused with fenugreek, and the inventive Jackfruit Tacos, a vegetarian delight.
The flatbread selection is equally enticing, featuring options such as Wild Mushrooms & Baby Mozzarella and Harissa Chicken & Salami. The mains celebrate regional specialties with dishes like Puliogare Rice, Bhindi Raita, and MalaBar Egg Roast, alongside hearty favorites like Country Mutton Curry and Malvani Seafood Curry.
Other highlights include the flavorful Prawns Kheema Pao and the indulgent Juicy Lucy Burger. The legendary OG MoBar Burger remains a cornerstone of the gastropub’s legacy. And to end your meal on a sweet note, guests can indulge in The Monkey Bar Monkey, a playful and decadent take on the classic Snickers bar.
trove of flavors, offering fiery Fire Pork, crispy Deep Fried Anchovy, indulgent Bacon-wrapped Prawns, the robust Sahuji Mutton Roll, innovative Idlis with a Twist, aromatic Curry Leaf Wings, and rich Coconut Buff.
For those seeking something truly unique, the menu shines with standout dishes like the fragrant Dabeli, packed with spicy potato filling, the delicately spiced Methi Prawns infused with fenugreek, and the inventive Jackfruit Tacos, a vegetarian delight.
The flatbread selection is equally enticing, featuring options such as Wild Mushrooms & Baby Mozzarella and Harissa Chicken & Salami. The mains celebrate regional specialties with dishes like Puliogare Rice, Bhindi Raita, and MalaBar Egg Roast, alongside hearty favorites like Country Mutton Curry and Malvani Seafood Curry.
Other highlights include the flavorful Prawns Kheema Pao and the indulgent Juicy Lucy Burger. The legendary OG MoBar Burger remains a cornerstone of the gastropub’s legacy. And to end your meal on a sweet note, guests can indulge in The Monkey Bar Monkey, a playful and decadent take on the classic Snickers bar.
The Art of Mixology
Monkey Bar’s new bar menu, expertly crafted by
Lead Mixologist Harish Chhimwal, is a
celebration of innovation and tradition.
Drawing
inspiration from the global bar scene and
MoBar’s timeless classics, each cocktail has been reimagined to honor India’s rich culinary and
beverage heritage.
The menu features a range of inventive cocktails
that are sure to leave guests buzzing. One can try
the Down & Dirty, a bold mix of Indian
gooseberry (amla) pickle, gin, chardonnay, lime,
amla brine, and sugar. Or opt for the Manga
Mule, a refreshing blend of desi marmalade,
green mango murabba, vodka, lime, and ginger
ale.
For something truly unique, the Rasam ki Kasam combines curry-infused tequila, rasam water, agave spirit, crystal lime, asafoetida saline, and habanero shrub for a cocktail that’s as daring as it is delicious.
Monkey Bar also features a selection of Pyramid signature cocktails, designed to impress. One can sip on the Chocolate Old Fashioned, a rich blend of cocoa nibs-infused bourbon, in-house chocolate bitters, angostura, orange, and muscovado sugar. Or indulge in the Voodoo Child, a tantalizing mix of peru, salt, chili, pink guava, tequila, and agave. The Petha Pisco Sour is another standout, featuring ash gourd-infused pisco, crystal lime, syrup, and topped with vegan foam.
For something truly unique, the Rasam ki Kasam combines curry-infused tequila, rasam water, agave spirit, crystal lime, asafoetida saline, and habanero shrub for a cocktail that’s as daring as it is delicious.
Monkey Bar also features a selection of Pyramid signature cocktails, designed to impress. One can sip on the Chocolate Old Fashioned, a rich blend of cocoa nibs-infused bourbon, in-house chocolate bitters, angostura, orange, and muscovado sugar. Or indulge in the Voodoo Child, a tantalizing mix of peru, salt, chili, pink guava, tequila, and agave. The Petha Pisco Sour is another standout, featuring ash gourd-infused pisco, crystal lime, syrup, and topped with vegan foam.
For non-drinkers, Monkey Bar offers zero-proof
cocktails like Shrub & Tonic, with strawberry and
mint shrub and tonic water; Barley & Tonic, with
house-roasted barley and vanilla tea and tonic
water; and Sorbet Tonic, with passion fruit skin
shrub, passion sorbet, and tonic water.
Harish Chhimwal, Lead Mixologist at the Olive
Group, shares, “At Monkey Bar, we take pride in
crafting cocktails that celebrate the local flavors
of India while embracing global techniques. Our
menu reflects our unabashedly Indian yet
cosmopolitan approach, featuring locally sourced
ingredients like amla, mango, asafoetida, and
Himalayan citrus. We’re also committed to a
zero-waste and sustainable beverage program,
ensuring that every sip is not only delicious but
also environmentally conscious.”
The Coffee Experience
Monkey Bar has introduced an exciting new coffee program, offering a diverse selection of high-quality brews to suit every taste and preference. Notably, it’s one of the few places in Delhi serving decaf coffee, ensuring something for everyone. The coffee program is divided into three unique categories: The Usual Suspects, You Do Your Brews, and The Unusual Suspects.
The Usual Suspects features timeless classics like espresso, Americano, Cafe Cubana, and the signature Monkey’s Honey Vanilla Latte, among others. For those who love a hands-on experience, You Do Your Brews allows patrons to customize their coffees from the like Ratnagiri Estate, Baarbara Estate, and Kaimara Estate, using methods like hand-pressed Espresso, AeroPress, French press, or pour-over, prepared tableside by baristas.
The Coffee Experience
Monkey Bar has introduced an exciting new coffee program, offering a diverse selection of high-quality brews to suit every taste and preference. Notably, it’s one of the few places in Delhi serving decaf coffee, ensuring something for everyone. The coffee program is divided into three unique categories: The Usual Suspects, You Do Your Brews, and The Unusual Suspects.
The Usual Suspects features timeless classics like espresso, Americano, Cafe Cubana, and the signature Monkey’s Honey Vanilla Latte, among others. For those who love a hands-on experience, You Do Your Brews allows patrons to customize their coffees from the like Ratnagiri Estate, Baarbara Estate, and Kaimara Estate, using methods like hand-pressed Espresso, AeroPress, French press, or pour-over, prepared tableside by baristas.
The Unusual Suspects category takes coffee to
the next level with innovative creations like Nitro (cold brew infused with nitrogen for a
creamy texture), Banana Cream Cold Brew
(housemade cold brew topped with fresh banana
cream), and Date Shake Cold Brew (a naturally
sweet blend made entirely from dates, with no
added sugar).
To cater to diverse dietary preferences,
customers can also choose their preferred milk –
almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk – to create their
perfect cup.
The Ambiance and Design
Monkey Bar Delhi offers several Instagram-worthy spots. Guests can enjoy a game of pool, capture lively group photos in the striking yellow banana tub, or relax on the quirky banana sofa with its fun neon caption and playful monkey vibes. Sabina Singh, Design Director of the Olive Group of Restaurants, is the creative force behind this transformation. She collaborated closely with WDA and the celebrated interior designer and architect Raseel Gujral Ansal, known for her work with Casa Pop, to bring this vision to life.
The new Monkey Bar embraces a bright, sunny, and inviting color palette, enhanced by the abundance of natural light streaming through the iconic pyramid structure. This marks a shift from the previous darker, evening-focused ambiance, reimagining Monkey Bar as an all-day destination.
Guests are welcomed by a vibrant mix of hues, including oranges, yellows, sage greens, pigeon blue, and plenty of white. These colors are thoughtfully paired with a variety of prints and textures, creating a comfortable and engaging environment that’s as visually appealing as it is inviting.
The Ambiance and Design
Monkey Bar Delhi offers several Instagram-worthy spots. Guests can enjoy a game of pool, capture lively group photos in the striking yellow banana tub, or relax on the quirky banana sofa with its fun neon caption and playful monkey vibes. Sabina Singh, Design Director of the Olive Group of Restaurants, is the creative force behind this transformation. She collaborated closely with WDA and the celebrated interior designer and architect Raseel Gujral Ansal, known for her work with Casa Pop, to bring this vision to life.
The new Monkey Bar embraces a bright, sunny, and inviting color palette, enhanced by the abundance of natural light streaming through the iconic pyramid structure. This marks a shift from the previous darker, evening-focused ambiance, reimagining Monkey Bar as an all-day destination.
Guests are welcomed by a vibrant mix of hues, including oranges, yellows, sage greens, pigeon blue, and plenty of white. These colors are thoughtfully paired with a variety of prints and textures, creating a comfortable and engaging environment that’s as visually appealing as it is inviting.
