Koliwada Cocktail Club feels like stepping onto a sailor’s ship, but with an unmistakably Indian character. The experience is reservation-only and built around a pairing set menu, where the cocktails are created to represent the food rather than simply accompany it. Six full-sized drinks are paired with six starters, taking you through different flavours, textures and techniques. It’s a two-hour experience that feels more like a journey than a regular cocktail dinner.

What makes the concept interesting is how closely the drinks are connected to what arrives on the plate. Each pairing has its own personality, with Indian ingredients and familiar flavours finding their way into the cocktails. There is a sense of curiosity throughout the menu, as you never quite know what combination is coming next. The food and drinks work together instead of competing for attention.

My favourite pairing came with the main course, built around Lagavulin 16 and a morel-infused The Singleton 12 YO whisky. The whisky brought a deep, smoky character, while the morel added an earthy layer that worked beautifully with the dish. A morel glaze tied the flavours together and gave the pairing a rich, almost forest-like quality. It was easily the combination that stayed with me the most.

Koliwada is less about having a few cocktails with dinner and more about giving yourself time to experience the menu. The sailor-ship setting adds to the feeling of being taken somewhere, while the Indian influences keep the experience grounded in its own identity. For anyone who enjoys cocktails, food and a little experimentation, it is an experience worth making time for. Just remember, this is one for a planned evening, not a spontaneous drop-in.