Not much people know about this swanky bar tucked in a quaint corner of a local shopping centre in Vasant Vihar area, PCO is a concept which is globally trending nowadays. Inspired from the retro style secret bars of the prohibition era in America, where entries were restricted. The bar caters to an elite clientale and sends out a pass code to a private list of patrons which include some celebrities, sportsmen and entrepreneurs. The pass code keeps changing two to three times a week. There is no signage which means walk in to the bar is strictly not allowed and one can only enter the bar who knows its exact location by entering the pass code in a phone booth placed on the entry. As soon as you gain access, a white door slides and you land at a very dim lit area where a set of staircases lead you to an upper level which is a cigar house and the other one takes you to a basement with a huge bar. The ambiance is simple, dim lit but yet very classy. PCO holds live musical gigs regularly and we are told the bar remains packed with people almost every day, despite of the minimal publicity.
The focus is mainly on the quality and preparation of some great cocktails which range from classical to completely bespoke ones according to the mood. The food menu is simple and wholesome with a focus on robust and lively flavours.
We were recently invited to PCO for a mixology competition in which 20 of us from the blogging community were split in teams of four each and we had to give a unique twist to classical cocktails and recreate it on our own. The completion was a tough one as the bar tender just demonstrated the preparation once, which certainly looked a complex procedure to us and we came to know how it feels at the other end. Our team prepared a classical whiskey sour by giving it a twist of cinnamon, ginger and named it “THE CINNAMON SCOTTY”. The drink tasted well, but was not perfectly executed as enough froth of egg white dint come up. Our co blogger Mr. Sidharth’s team won the best cocktail as they prepared a spicy version of the classical vodka based cocktail SPRITZER. The cocktail who they named it THE CHILI ORGASM will now be a part of the cocktail menu at PCO for an entire month. After the event concluded our taste buds were pampered by some delish finger foods, CHICKEN CROSTINI and LAMB BURRITO and we also enjoyed some great classical cocktails, THE WHISKEY SMASH and OLD FASHIONED.
Since it threw opened its doors, PCO has catered a unique experience away from the hustle bustle without caring much about the completion from the other flashy bars and cafes. This hideaway has garnered much acclaim by winning many national and international awards, including the Times of India Food and Nightlife Best Bar – Luxury Night Out three times in a row and Best cocktail bar, two times in a row. A place which one truly needs to visit if you are a mixology lover, so get your pass code arranged now.
