The First Floor Opens in New Delhi: A Culinary Cocktail Bar Where Food and Drink Are Built as One
New Delhi: A new address is set to become part of South Delhi’s social circuit as The First Floor opens at One Golden Mile. Located in the heart of South Delhi and surrounded by neighbourhood favourites like Chica, Cozy Box and Dirty Good, the space arrives in great company, bringing a fresh, easygoing energy to one of the city’s most active dining pockets.
Positioned as a culinary-first cocktail bar, The First Floor brings together food and drinks in a way that feels instinctive rather than structured. It is not a place where cocktails are an afterthought or food plays a supporting role. Instead, both are built alongside each other, using the same ingredients, the same ideas, and the same attention to detail.
It is the kind of space that works however you want it to. You can stop by for a couple of drinks, settle in for a full meal, or find yourself back again later in the night. From pre-drinks to dinner to after-hours, The First Floor moves effortlessly with the rhythm of the evening.
The menu is tight, intentional, and built for the modern, globally exposed diner. Around 30 standout dishes, no excess, no filler. It moves across cuisines without being tied to any one of them, pulling from Asian, global street, and contemporary influences to create something that feels current and instinctive.
You’ll find plates like Crispy Kimchi Shiitake Katsu, Umami Fried Chicken Karaage, Sesame Prawn Sando, and Kimchi Parmesan Arancini, alongside Dynamite Prawns, Chilli Oil Chicken Gyoza, and Truffle Edamame Cream Cheese Gyoza. The menu balances comfort and sharpness with Salmon Tataki, Ahi Tuna Ceviche, sushi like the Spicy Californication Roll and Prawn Tempura Roll, and larger plates such as Chilli Oil Prawns, Coconut Laksa Curry with Mantou, and Korean American Lamb Chops. It’s designed for how people actually eat today. Order a few things, share across the table, and go back in for more.
Behind the bar, the approach is just as considered. The program is led by mixologist Yumit Kumar (aka Bob), whose journey includes Sidecar and Naar, both recognised on Asia’s 50 Best Bars and 50 Best Restaurants lists. His approach brings together strong technical grounding with an ingredient-led, sustainability-focused perspective, where waste repurposing and mindful sourcing become starting points for creativity.
Cocktails here are built with both precision and intent, developed over one to two days to achieve clarity, depth, and consistency, while the experience remains fluid beyond the menu, with classics and bespoke drinks tailored to the guest. The menu itself plays on duality, balancing familiar, easy-going drinks with more playful, unexpected combinations and names, with the kitchen moving in lockstep with the bar so that the food holds just as much weight in the experience.
Expect signatures like Dealer’s Choice with tequila, kimchi and Thai chilli, She’s Still Here? with pisco, melon and wasabi, Felt Cute Might Delete Later with tequila, elderflower and absinthe, and After Party with vodka, coffee and mushroom, alongside Fake Orgasm, a bold mix of Irish whiskey, banana, almond and red wine. Some cocktails are designed to be ordered with specific dishes, creating combinations that feel seamless without over-explaining the experience. With sustainability driving constant evolution, new cocktails continue to appear through repurposed ingredients, often for a limited time.
Speaking about the vision behind the space, founder Abhishek Sharma shares, “Having travelled extensively and experienced some incredible bars and restaurants around the world, I always felt there was room in Delhi for something like this. With The First Floor, we wanted to create a culinary-first cocktail bar with a tight, focused menu on both sides. It’s a space where you can come with friends or family, relax, enjoy great food and drinks, and just have a really good time. It’s easy, it’s social, and it’s the kind of place you take with you and keep coming back to.”
The space carries the same point of view. Designed by Bent Chair, The First Floor brings together an Indochine-inspired aesthetic with a contemporary, easy warmth. Think textured stone, rich wood, sculptural details, and layered lighting that shifts with the time of day. A striking central bar anchors the room, while plush seating, lush greens, and large open windows create a setting that feels both intimate and social. The indoor and outdoor spaces flow seamlessly, from sunlit, relaxed afternoons to high-energy evenings, making it just as suited for a slow meal as it is for drinks that turn into a longer night.
With its clear point of view and easy versatility, The First Floor is not just another opening in the city. It is a place designed for how people actually go out today. Unstructured, social, and always in motion.
Location: One Golden Mile, New Delhi
Reservations: 9599280444 | 9599280666
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefirstfloor.delhi/
