Fun, quirky and unabashedly Indian – India’s first and favourite gastropub, part of the Olive Group of restaurants, is now open as a new space, only this time it’s Edgy-ier & Vibe-ier. A feature by FnB columnist Riccha Grrover for Asian Lite International.
Situated in its iconic pyramid glass building in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, Monkey Bar promises an elevated experience for food and drink enthusiasts. The newly imagined gastropub of today promises a delicious culinary adventure. In the menu, you’ll find regional food from India sitting pretty next to favourites from across the world; and street food from ‘patli gullies’ holding their own against culinary gems discovered down narrow lanes across the planet. Drawing inspiration from the evolving world bar scene and old Mo Bar favourites, every element of the bar has been reimagined with a nod to India’s indigenous food and beverage scene.
The design direction reimagines Monkey Bar as an ‘Urban Tropical Dreamscape’. It’s the start of a series of immersive transformations. Expect a contemporary Monkey Bar with an inviting ambience, lush terrace, and an innovative bar scene.
Founder and Managing Director of the Olive Group of Restaurants, AD Singh, said ,”The Olive group is excited to launch a new generation of bars in Delhi with its gorgeous new gastropub Monkey Bar. It’s set in a beautiful Pyramid which is like no other space in Delhi. Here we showcase delicious, unusual Indian regional food as well as our iconic burgers and more. The food is perfectly complemented by a menu of some of the most irresistible cocktails in town. You can also come to Monkey Bar for some of the best coffee in town or if you’re in the mood for games like pool, foosball and more. See you soon’
At Monkey Bar, Delhi you’ll see a familiar face as super model and entrepreneur Sonalika Sahay has partnered with the Olive Group to help give the Olive level hospitality to the guests who visit us. She brings with her a social experience of over a decade and will help in making the new Monkey Bar a lovely buzzy experience for drinking or dining.
First launched in Bangalore in May 2012, the gastropub currently has outposts in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai. Celebrating its enduring popularity in Delhi, the brand’s renewed commitment is to offer a vibrant and inviting atmosphere.
At the heart of the new Monkey Bar is a diverse menu that weaves a narrative through each dish and drink. Iconic Monkey Bar favorites are featured alongside new Indian flavors from across the country and international classics layered with surprises, ensuring there’s something for every palate. The menu begins with an exquisite variety of salads, offering options such as Puy Lentil Salad and Barley & Pomegranate Salad. The small plates section boasts of the fiery Fire Pork, a crispy fried pork dish adorned with crushed chillies and a hint of lemon, Deep Fried Anchovy, which delivers a satisfying crunch, Bacon-wrapped Prawns, Sahuji Mutton Roll- a Nagpur specialty! Spicy mutton chunks stuffed in a bohri mohalla-inspired naan sheet; served with mango pickle, onions and green chilli chutney.
The small plates also offer a South Indian blend like – Padduswith a Twist, featuring onion, coriander, and chilli Paniyarams, accompanied by a tangy tomato and mint, and coconut chutney, Curry Leaf Wings – double-cooked wings first fried tossed in a curry leaf sauce, toasted coconut flakes, curry leaf and chilli crumble, Coconut Buff, slow-cooked buff in malabar spices and lots more.
The menu also highlights some really out-of-the-boxdishes like the aromatic Dabeli bursting with spicy potato filling, Methi-spiced Prawns delicately seasoned with fenugreek, and Jackfruit Tacosoffering a unique vegetarian delight.
The selection of flatbreads showcases a variety of flavours like Wild Mushrooms & Baby Mozzarella, and Harissa Chicken & Salami. The mains in the menu feature some unique dishes from the regional specialties like Puliogare Rice and Bhindi Raita and MalaBar Egg Roast, alongside hearty mains such as Country Mutton Curry and Malvani Seafood Curry. Other menu highlights include the Prawns Kheema Pao, prepared with house East Indian bottle masala and served with buttered pav, and the Juicy Lucy Burger, featuring rosemary and garlic-infused lamb patties. The OG MoBar Burgerremains a beloved staple of the gastropub, and to cap off the meal, indulge in The Monkey BarMonkey dessert, a creative twist on the classic Snickers bar.
Monkey Bar’s new bar menu, crafted by Lead Mixologist Harish Chhimwal, is a masterful blend of innovative cocktails and classic favorites. Inspired by the evolving global bar scene and MoBar’s timeless offerings, every element has been reimagined to pay homage to India’s rich food and beverage heritage. The new cocktails in the menu that will surely make you go tipsy like Down & Dirty, Indian gooseberry in a pickle, gin, chardonnay, lime, amla brine and sugar together creates this dirty number.
Try the Manga Mule which is inspired by desi marmalade mixed with green mango murabba, vodka, lime and ginger ale. Rasam ki Kasam, curry-infused tequila with rasam water, agave spirit, crystal lime, asafoetida saline and habanero shrub is one of the unique cocktails we serve. That’s not all, they have special Pyramid signatures that will surely sweep you off your feet. Choose from the Chocolate Old Fashioned, a classic concoction of cocoa nibs-infused bourbon, in-house chocolate bitters, angostura, orange and muscovado sugar; Voodoo Child – a mix of peru, salt, chilli, pink guava, tequila and agave; Petha Pisco Sour, ash-gourd-infused pisco, crystal lime, syrup and topped with vegan foam.
For non-drinkers they have Zero proof cocktails like Shrub & Tonic, strawberry & mint shrub with tonic water, Barley & Tonic, house-roasted barley and vanilla tea with tonic water and Sorbet Tonic, passion fruit skin shrub, passion sorbet and tonic water.
Harish Chhimwal, Lead Mixologist, Olive Groupsays, “At Monkey Bar, we take pride in crafting cocktails that celebrate the local flavors of India while embracing global techniques. Our menu is a reflection of our unabashedly Indian yet cosmopolitan approach, featuring locally sourced ingredients like amla, mango, asafoetida, and citrus from the Himalayas. We also believe in promoting a zero-waste and sustainable beverage program, ensuring that every sip is not only delicious but also environmentally conscious.”
Monkey Bar now offers a new coffee program with a diverse selection of high-quality brews to cater to every palate and preference. We are also one of the very few places in Delhi doing Decaf Coffee. The Coffee program has three categories – The Usual Suspects, You Do Your Brews, and The Unusual Suspects. The Usual Suspects comprise classics such as Espresso, Americano, Cafe Cubana, Monkey’s Honey Vanilla Latte, and more. In You Do Your Brews, patrons have the opportunity to customise and refine their coffees from various estates like Ratnagiri Estate, Baarbara Estate, Kaimara Estate, using methods such as hand-pressed Espresso, AeroPress, French press, or pour-over which is done by Baristas at the customer’s table. The Unusual Suspects category presents a unique and exciting range, including Nitro (cold brew infused with nitrogen), Banana Cream Cold Brew (housemade cold brew with fresh banana cream), Date Shake Cold Brew, made entirely from dates with no added sugar and more. That’s not all, customers can choose their milk for the coffee as per their dietary preferences like- almond milk, soy milk or oat milk.
Monkey Bar Delhi is brimming with exciting spots perfect for capturing fun moments with friends. Challenge your friends to a game at our pool table, use our striking yellow banana tub that’s ideal for snapping lively group photos, and a quirky banana sofa complete with a fun neon caption with playful monkey vibes.
Sabina Singh, Design Director of the Olive Group of Restaurants, and the creative genius behind this evolution has worked in close partnership with WDA and Raseel Gujral Ansal, the celebrated interior designer and architect behind Casa Pop.
The color palette chosen for the new Monkey Bar is bright, sunny and inviting, bathed in an abundance of natural light from the pyramid. This marks a departure from the previous darker, evening-oriented ambiance, transforming Monkey Bar into an all-day destination. Guests are greeted by a vibrant mix of hues, including oranges, yellows, sage greens, pigeon blue, and plenty of white, complemented by various prints and textures to create a comfortable and engaging environment.
Overall, Monkey Bar is a great spot for casual outings, especially for those who enjoy fusion food and craft cocktails in a vibrant setting. It’s popular for weekend brunches and evening hangouts, making it an appealing choice for groups of friends or a fun date night at this premium Delhi gastro-pub. The decor has playful elements, the music is upbeat, service at Monkey Bar is efficient, drinks menu inventive and the cuisine is innovative. Highly Recommended!
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