The Cocktail Coalition: Global Bar Takeovers at Lair
We transform our Delhi home into a global stage. Experience one-of-a-kind collaborations where world-class bartenders join us to source local ingredients and craft menus that exist for one night only.
A glimpse into our Cocktail Coalition with Zest from Seoul, where we explored a 'Minimal Waste, Maximum Yield' philosophy. We started in the bustling spice markets of Old Delhi to source local ingredients, transforming them into a sustainable and sensational menu that tells a story of cross-cultural innovation.
This is what our Cocktail Coalition is all about. We took the team from Foco, Barcelona, to Delhi's spice markets to find inspiration for a new menu. This is where the collaboration truly begins, with shared discovery and the fusion of Indian ingredients with global techniques.
The official announcement for our collaboration with Barcelona's FOCO bar. The theme was "Modernising Classics," where we worked together to reinterpret four well-known cocktails by infusing them with unique Indian ingredients, creating something entirely new for one special night.
Welcoming Reka from Kuala Lumpur for the second edition of our Cocktail Coalition. The collaboration involved sourcing unique Indian spices and botanicals from Old Delhi's markets to create a spectacular menu that blended their signature style with our local flavours.
When FURA from Singapore brought their philosophy of sustainability to our bar. We explored Delhi's local markets together to find ethically sourced ingredients, resulting in a night of mindful, delicious cocktails that seamlessly blended our two distinct styles.
The vibrant energy of Tres Monos from Argentina lit up our bar with their iconic pink monkey theme. It was a fantastic night where their team made everyone feel at home, showcasing how the spirit of hospitality is universal, from Buenos Aires to Delhi.
Hosting Ronnaporn from Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar in Bangkok was an amazing experience. His team brought their unique vibe and energy, creating a pop-up that made our guests feel like they were part of a global family. The night was a testament to friendly, world-class hospitality.
A spirited evening with Cameron and Rinku from Swift, London. They brought their classic British charm and exceptional cocktail-making skills to our bar, creating an unforgettable night that exceeded all expectations and forged a new connection between the London and Delhi bar scenes.
We had the pleasure of hosting Andrew and Swami from Hope & Sesame, who brought the taste of China's cocktail evolution to Lair. Their ingredient-inspired drinks and philosophy of serving the guest first resonated deeply with our own approach to hospitality.
From Shanghai to Delhi, we welcomed Roger from The Odd Couple. He was impressed by the energy and hospitality of our team and city, and in turn, he impressed our guests with cocktails that masterfully blended innovation and tradition.
About The Cocktail Coalition: Hosting The World in Delhi
Every collaboration starts with a trip to Old Delhi's spice markets. Before we ever pick up a shaker, we spend days exploring local produce with our guest bartenders, ensuring every signature cocktail we pour is built on authentic Indian botanicals and the unique perspective of our international partners.
Beyond the Guest Shift
Most bar collaborations are simple guest shifts where a bartender brings their existing menu and pours it for a few hours. We decided to do things differently. The Cocktail Coalition is a deep dive into cross-cultural mixology. When we bring teams from bars like Foco in Barcelona or Zest in Seoul, we aren't just letting them stand behind our bar. We are creating a new menu from scratch.
The Process: From Market to Glass
It begins at the chaotic, vibrant spice markets of Old Delhi. We walk the lanes with our guests, finding ingredients that surprise them—local berries, rare herbs, or specific types of jaggery. Then, we head back to our lab. We treat these ingredients with technical precision, applying modern techniques like clarification or sous-vide to bridge the gap between Indian flavours and global cocktail standards.
Why We Do It
We want to show the world that India is a powerhouse of energy, produce, and hospitality. For our guests, this means you get to experience a menu that will never exist again. You are tasting the result of a two-way exchange: our guests take a piece of our culture home, and they leave behind a new technique or flavour profile that becomes part of the Lair DNA. It is loud, it is high-energy, and it is entirely authentic to our core belief: that cocktails are the best way to share stories and bring people together.
Looking for a different kind of event?
We offer everything from intimate bar takeovers to custom menu development.
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