Best Craft Beer Bars in Nainital for Serious Beer Drinkers

Where to Find the Best Craft Beer Bars in Nainital

Let me be straight with you. If you are walking into Nainital expecting a Bangalore or Gurgaon style craft beer scene with rotating taps, barrel aged stouts, and brewmasters in lab coats, you will be disappointed. The best craft beer bars in Nainital are not really bars in the conventional sense. They are homestays with a keg in the corner, restaurants that stock a couple of local brews alongside Kingfisher, and lakeside spots where the real draw is the view and the conversation, not the hops. But that does not mean there is nothing worth drinking. It just means you have to know where to look, and you have to adjust your expectations to what a small hill town at 2,084 meters can realistically deliver.

I have spent the better part of three years coming back to Nainital, sometimes for a weekend, sometimes for a month at a stretch. I have sat through power cuts in places that promised craft taps. I have been served warm beer in a glass that was not properly cleaned. I have also had genuinely memorable pints in spots that do not even have a signboard. What follows is not a glossy list. It is an honest, ground level account of where you can actually find something interesting to drink after dark in this town, and what you should realistically expect when you get there.

The Microbrewery Nainital Scene: What Actually Exists

Before I take you to specific spots, you need to understand the landscape. There is no dedicated microbrewery Nainital operation that produces beer on site and serves it fresh from the tank, at least not one that has managed to stay open consistently. The licensing regime in Uttarakhand for alcohol production is strict, the hill terrain makes large scale brewing equipment transport a nightmare, and the seasonal tourist flow means most investors would rather put their money into a restaurant or a hotel. What you do find are a handful of places that import craft beer from breweries in other parts of India, mostly from Goa, Maharashtra, and a few from Himachal Pradesh. These arrive in kegs or bottles, and the quality depends entirely on how well the staff handles storage and serving.

The local breweries Nainital connection is more about aspiration than reality. A few restaurant owners have talked about starting their own small batch brewing setup, but as of my last visit in late 2024, nothing concrete had materialized. The craft beer taps Nainital scene is limited to maybe four or five places that regularly stock something beyond the standard mass market lagers. Your job as a serious beer drinker is to find those places, go at the right time, and order the right thing.

1. The Machan at Manu Maharani Hotel, Mallital

This is the closest thing Nainital has to a proper craft beer destination. The Machan is the lounge bar attached to the Manu Maharani Hotel, right on the Mall Road in Mallital. They have had a rotating selection of craft beers on tap, sourced from breweries like Goa based ones and occasionally from Himachal. I have seen Bira 91 White, Arbor Brewing Company IPA, and a few seasonal brews on their tap list at different times of the year.

The Vibe? It is a hotel lounge, so do not expect a gritty taproom. Think wood paneling, soft lighting, and a view of the lake if you get the right table.

The Bill? ₹350–₹550 per pint, depending on the brew. Bottled craft options can go up to ₹600.

The Standout? The seasonal rotation. If you are lucky and visit between October and March, they sometimes get limited edition brews that you will not find anywhere else in town.

The Catch? The staff does not always know what they are serving. I once asked about the hop profile of a beer and got a blank smile. Go for the beer, not the beer education.

The best time to go is between 6 PM and 9 PM on a weekday. Weekends in summer bring families and the crowd thins out the serious drinkers. The hotel is a short walk from the Nainital bus stand, so you can get there easily by auto rickshaw for ₹50–₹80 from most points on the Mall Road.

2. The Dining Hall at The Naini Retreat, Ayarpata

The Naini Retreat is a heritage property run by the Oberoi group, perched on a hill above the lake in Ayarpata. Their bar, called The Dining Hall, is not a craft beer bar in any traditional sense. But they have occasionally stocked craft options, particularly during the peak tourist season from April to June and again during the winter months of December and January. I have had a decent IPA here, served in proper glassware, which is more than most places in Nainital manage.

The Vibe? Colonial elegance meets hill station luxury. You are drinking in a building that has hosted British officers and Indian royalty. The fireplace works in winter.

The Bill? ₹500–₹800 per drink. This is the priciest option on this list by a wide margin.

The Standout? The setting. There is something about drinking a cold beer while looking down at Naini Lake from a colonial veranda that no amount of hop complexity can match.

The Catch? The craft selection is inconsistent. Call ahead or ask your hotel concierge to check what is available before you make the trip up. The road to Ayarpata is steep and narrow, and autos charge ₹100–₹150 from Mallital. Parking is limited to the hotel premises only.

A detail most tourists do not know: the property has a small herb garden, and the kitchen sometimes uses those herbs in their cocktails. Ask for a gin and tonic with fresh rosemary if they have it. It pairs surprisingly well with a light wheat beer if you are doing a two drink evening.

3. Sonam Chowmein Corner and the Informal Beer Culture of Tibetan Market

This is where I need to reframe the concept of craft beer bars in Nainital. The Tibetan Market area near the Naina Devi Temple does not have a bar. What it has is a cluster of small eateries and tea stalls where locals and long term visitors gather in the evening. The beer here comes in bottles, usually from the local liquor shop on the Mall Road, and it is consumed on plastic chairs with plates of chowmein and momos.

The Vibe? Unfiltered Nainital. You are sitting next to Tibetan refugees, local students, and the occasional tourist who wandered off the main road. There is no music except whatever someone is playing on their phone.

The Bill? A bottle of beer from the local shop costs ₹120–₹180. Chowmein is ₹80–₹120. Momos are ₹60–₹100.

The Standout? The combination of cheap beer, hot chowmein, and the evening cold. In winter, this becomes one of the most atmospheric drinking experiences in town, even if the beer itself is just standard lager.

The Catch? There is no craft beer here. None. If you are a serious beer drinker, bring your own if you can find something interesting at the liquor shop. The selection is limited to Kingfisher, Cobra, and occasionally Bira 91 bottles.

The best time is between 5 PM and 8 PM, before the market gets too crowded with temple visitors. The area is a 10 minute walk from the Naina Devi Temple end of the Mall Road. No auto needed.

4. The Bar at Sher Ka Danda, Raj Bhavan Road

Sher Ka Danda is a restaurant on Raj Bhavan Road, the road that runs behind the main Mall Road toward the Raj Bhavan. It is primarily known for its food, but they have a small bar that stocks a few craft options. I have seen Bira 91 Blonde and White here, and once, a bottle of a Himachal based brewery's pale ale that I had not encountered before.

The Vibe? Casual, slightly cramped, and very local. This is where Nainital residents go when they want a drink without the tourist markup.

The Bill? ₹250–₹400 per beer. Food is ₹200–₹400 per dish.

The Standout? The food and beer pairing. Their tandoori dishes go well with a cold wheat beer, and the staff is more knowledgeable about what they are serving than at most places in town.

The Catch? The space is small and fills up fast on weekends. If you go on a Saturday night in summer, you will be lucky to get a seat. The ventilation is also not great, and the room can get smoky if there are too many people.

Raj Bhavan Road is accessible by auto from the Mall Road for ₹40–₹60. The road is narrow and steep in parts, so walking up from the lake takes about 15 minutes and will leave you breathless if you are not used to the altitude.

5. The Lake View Hotel Bar, The Mall

The Lake View Hotel is one of the older hotels on the Mall Road, and its bar has been serving drinks to tourists and locals for decades. In recent years, they have started stocking a few craft options, though the selection is limited. I have had Bira 91 here, and occasionally a seasonal craft lager that the owner sources from Dehradun.

The Vibe? Old school hill station. Wooden furniture, framed photographs of Nainital from the 1960s, and a view of the lake that has not changed in fifty years.

The Bill? ₹200–₹350 per beer. Meals are ₹300–₹600 per person.

The Standout? The view. You are sitting directly above the lake, and in the evening, the lights from the boats reflect on the water. It is one of the best sunset spots in town.

The Catch? The craft beer selection is an afterthought. The bar is primarily set up for regular liquor and standard lagers. You might get lucky with a craft option, but do not count on it.

The best time is between 5 PM and 7 PM for the sunset. The hotel is right on the Mall Road, so it is accessible on foot from anywhere in Mallital or Tallital. No transport needed.

6. The Homestay Circuit: Craft Beer at Bhowali and Nearby

Here is where things get interesting for the serious beer drinker. A number of homestays and boutique properties in the Bhowali area, about 11 kilometers from Nainital, have started offering craft beer to their guests. These are not bars in the traditional sense. They are properties where the owner has invested in a small keg system or has a partnership with a craft brewery for regular supplies. I have visited three such properties, and the experience varies wildly.

The Vibe? Intimate and personal. You are drinking in someone's home, often with just a handful of other guests. The conversation flows, and the beer is usually served with homemade snacks.

The Bill? ₹300–₹500 per pint, often included in the stay package at some properties.

The Standout? The freshness. Because these properties serve a small number of guests, the beer is usually fresher than what you get at a busy restaurant. I had a Belgian style wheat beer at one property in Bhowali that was genuinely excellent.

The Catch? You usually need to be a guest at the property to access the beer. Some owners will serve non guests if you call ahead and ask politely, but do not count on it. The road from Nainital to Bhowali is winding and can be rough during the monsoon. An auto will cost ₹200–₹300, and shared jeeps run regularly from the Tallital bus stand for ₹30–₹50.

The best time to visit Bhowali is between October and March, when the weather is clear and the views of the Himalayas are at their best. In monsoon, the road can be tricky, and landslides occasionally block the route for hours.

7. The Boathouse Club, Naini Lake

The Boathouse Club is a members club on the lake, accessible only by boat. It has a small bar that serves standard drinks, and occasionally, during the peak season, they stock a few craft options. I have been here twice, and both times the craft selection was limited to Bira 91 bottles. But the experience of reaching the club, a short boat ride from the Mall Road, adds something to the drink that no amount of hops can replicate.

The Vibe? Exclusive and slightly surreal. You are drinking on an island in the middle of a lake in the middle of a hill town. The colonial era building has been renovated but retains its old world character.

The Bill? ₹400–₹700 per drink. The boat ride is ₹100–₹200 per person each way.

The Standout? The boat ride at dusk. The lake is calm, the hills turn purple, and for a few minutes, you forget that you are in a crowded tourist town.

The Catch? The craft beer selection is almost nonexistent most of the time. The club is also technically for members, though guests of members and hotel guests with tie ins can sometimes get access. The boat service stops at 6 PM in winter and 7 PM in summer, so plan accordingly.

The best time is late afternoon, around 4 PM to 6 PM, when the light is golden and the lake is at its most photogenic. The boat leaves from the Boat House Club jetty near the Naina Devi Temple end of the Mall Road.

8. The Evening Walk and the Liquor Shop Culture of Mallital

This is not a bar. This is not a restaurant. But for the serious beer drinker in Nainital, this might be the most authentic experience you can have. Every evening, locals and visitors alike walk the Mall Road, stopping at the government liquor shops near the Naina Devi Temple and in Mallital. You buy your beer, you sit on the parapet overlooking the lake, and you drink while the town moves around you.

The Vibe? Democratic and unpretentious. You are sitting next to college students, retired army officers, and families out for an evening stroll. The lake is right there. The mountains are right there. The beer is cold and cheap.

The Bill? ₹120–₹200 per bottle from the government shop. No food, no frills.

The Standout? The simplicity. No menu, no waiter, no pretension. Just you, the beer, and the lake.

The Catch? Public drinking is technically not encouraged, though it is widely tolerated in the evening hours. The government shops have a limited craft selection, usually just Bira 91 and occasionally a few bottles from Goa based breweries. The shops close at 9 PM, so plan your evening accordingly.

The best time is between 5 PM and 8 PM, when the light is fading and the town is at its most atmospheric. The liquor shops are on the Mall Road, so they are accessible on foot from anywhere in central Nainital.

When to Go and What to Know

The best time to explore the craft beer scene in Nainital is between October and March. The weather is pleasant, the tourist crowds are manageable, and the restaurants and bars are more likely to have their full selections available. Summer, from April to June, brings massive crowds and the craft beer taps Nainital scene suffers as places prioritize volume over variety. Monsoon, from July to September, is the least reliable time. Power outages are common, roads can be blocked, and many places reduce their menus.

Getting around Nainital is mostly done on foot or by auto rickshaw. The town is small, and most of the places I have mentioned are within a 15 minute walk of the Mall Road. Autos charge ₹40–₹80 for most trips within town, though drivers near the Mall Road sometimes refuse to use meters and quote higher rates. Uber and Ola have limited availability in Nainital, and I have found them unreliable for anything other than airport transfers. Shared jeeps and buses connect Nainital to nearby towns like Bhowali, Haldwani, and Almora, but they are not useful for getting around within the town itself.

One practical detail: the altitude affects your alcohol tolerance. Nainital is at 2,084 meters, and if you are coming from sea level, you will feel the effects of alcohol faster than usual. Pace yourself, especially on your first evening. The cold in winter also means that beer warms up quickly if you are sitting outdoors. Ask for a glass rather than drinking from the bottle if you want it to stay cold longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is tap water safe to drink in Nainital, or should travelers rely on sealed bottled water, and is filtered water readily available at dhabas and restaurants?

Tap water in Nainital is sourced from natural springs and is generally considered safe by locals, but travelers with sensitive stomachs should stick to sealed bottled water, which is available at every shop for ₹20–₹30 per liter. Most restaurants and dhabas on the Mall Road now use filtered water and will tell you if you ask, but smaller stalls near the Tibetan Market and the bus stand may not have filtration systems. Carrying a reusable bottle with a built in filter is a practical option if you plan to walk extensively.

How easy is it to find pure vegetarian or Jain food options in Nainital, and are most restaurants clearly marked as veg or non-veg?

Pure vegetarian food is extremely easy to find in Nainital. The town has a large Hindu and Jain population, and most restaurants on the Mall Road are vegetarian or have extensive vegetarian menus. Jain food is available at specific restaurants near the Naina Devi Temple and in the Mallital area, though you may need to ask for modifications to remove root vegetables. Most restaurants are clearly marked with green or red dots indicating vegetarian or non vegetarian status, and the labeling is generally reliable.

Are there dress code requirements for visiting temples, mosques, gurudwaras, or heritage monuments in Nainital, and are entry restrictions common for non-Hindus?

The Naina Devi Temple requires visitors to remove shoes and dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered. There is no strict enforcement of a formal dress code, but shorts and sleeveless tops are discouraged. Non Hindus are generally allowed inside the main temple area, though the inner sanctum may be restricted during certain rituals. The Jama Masjid in Mallital has similar modesty requirements. Heritage buildings like the Raj Bhavan have their own entry rules, usually requiring prior permission, but these are not related to religion.

What is the one must-try local dish or street food that Nainital is genuinely famous for, and where is the best place to eat it?

Bal Mithai is the one thing you must try. It is a chocolate brown fudge made with roasted khoya, coated with tiny white sugar balls, and it was invented in Almora but perfected in Nainital. The best place to buy it is from the original Khim Singh Mohan Singh shop in Mallital, where it is sold fresh and wrapped in paper. A box of 500 grams costs around ₹400–₹600. Pair it with a hot cup of chai from the stall next door for the full experience.

Is Nainital expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget in ₹ for mid-tier travelers covering accommodation, food, and local transport.

A mid tier traveler can expect to spend ₹2,500–₹4,500 per day. Budget hotels and homestays cost ₹1,200–₹2,500 per night for a decent room with a lake view. Meals at mid range restaurants run ₹300–₹600 per person for lunch and dinner combined. Local transport, mostly autos, will cost ₹150–₹300 per day if you are moving around the town. Add ₹500–₹1,000 for drinks, snacks, and incidentals. The most expensive part is accommodation during peak season in May and June, when rates can double.