Pouring their hearts out

So, you come here often? As India heads to the bar to unwind, top mixologists open up about life on the job. Drunken confessions, date-night drama, slaps, tears, scams, spilled secrets. Sip slowly, it's a wild cocktail

- Karishma Kuenzang

Cheers! India seems to love going out to drink. We're not hiding away in dim corners, nursing a shady snifter of something. We're not uncorking a good wine only at a celebration. We're into gin, now. We're partial to craft beer. We're trying out vodka infusions and clarified cocktails.

Yangdup Lama, who tends bar at Sidecar in Delhi, says that India's young workforce is driving the change with “a lot more post-work drinkers and people going to bars on weekends. People, including women, are drinking at bars alone." For bartenders, the job now calls for listening, peacekeeping, commiserating, knowing when to step in and when to get out of the way. It's about much more than mixing a good drink.

We asked bartenders to share their favourite tales about life on the job.

They didn't disappoint...

Feruzan Bilimoria

Mumbai he lead mixologist for True Palate Café, and Neuma in Mumbai. She's been mixing and serving drinks for nine years. Her superpower: Eyeballing a perfect 30ml pour of hard liquor, and reading patrons minutes after they enter the bar.

"The ones who just want to get drunk alone will give off a broody vibe," she says.

"Sometimes, they'll just want to rant in a way that they can't with a co-worker or spouse." With some, there's no telling how the evening will go down. One young woman - Bilimoria calls her Drunk Gymnast - would drop in at about 7pm, sip a lot of water, have no more than two drinks, and chat with people at the bar. As the music got louder and the lights dimmer, she would do handstands.