A Bold, New Identity. India's First Speakeasy Bar.
Pass Code Only (PCO) 2.0
In the heart of South Delhi, hidden behind an unassuming phone booth, lies India’s foremost speakeasy, Pass Code Only (PCO). What started as a quest to craft the perfect drink has evolved into an award-winning speakeasy dedicated to crafting cocktails and building community. Since opening its doors in 2012, PCO has become Delhi’s favourite community bar, pushing the boundaries of mixology by focusing on classic pre-prohibition and prohibition cocktails.
The bar’s entry is marked by an ordinary-looking phone booth, a nod to the public call offices located across India. True to its name, PCO requires guests to type in a secret code, ensuring it remains under-the-radar. However, behind this covert entrance lies a space that has garnered significant national and international acclaim for its innovative cocktail program and strong team of talented mixologists. With a strong focus on strengthening bar talent, PCO regularly curates initiatives and workshops to encourage bartenders to upskill. The bar has served as a training ground for some of the finest bar talent, with its bartenders and mixologists gaining recognition not only in India but around the world. In 2023, PCO ranked #12 among India’s 30 Best Bars 2023 and #54 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022.
Founded by Rakshay and Radhika Dhariwal of Pass Code Hospitality, PCO prioritises consistent exploration and evolution. Its team is constantly experimenting with new ingredients, unique glassware, local spices, and cutting-edge techniques to evolve their cocktail program, curating memorable drinking experiences for their guests.
To celebrate its 10th anniversary in December 2022, PCO hosted a series of bar takeovers featuring world-renowned talents from Manhattan (Singapore), Handshake (Mexico), Little Red Door (Paris), and Baba Au Rum (Greece). It also launched the 'Turning Ten' menu, offering consumers a journey through a decade of drinking traditions. PCO took this new menu on the road, showcasing its creations in international destinations including Bangkok, Singapore, and Dubai.
To mark 12 years of transforming cocktail culture in India, PCO has unveiled a bold new identity – PCO 2.0. This new chapter is embodied in an intriguing cocktail menu titled ‘The Forbidden’, which draws inspiration from the prohibited aspect of speakeasies. The menu spotlights “forbidden ingredients” and each cocktail is crafted with elements that are restricted or taboo in various contexts - whether religiously, culturally, or legally. This daring exploration of flavours and histories underscores PCO’s commitment to delivering an unparalleled and adventurous drinking experience.
The menu features 12 signature cocktails, each crafted from unconventional and often forbidden ingredients such as tobacco, MSG, and poppy seeds. Guests receive this unique menu as a scroll housed in a leather case, an artful presentation designed to mirror Indian miniature-style paintings. Each cocktail is accompanied by rich stories behind its ‘prohibited ingredient,’ adding intrigue to every sip.
The newly revamped PCO is spread across three floors, each carefully designed to offer a unique experience. The interiors feature a cocktail den, a mixology lab for experiments, and a refurbished Director's Room with an interactive Omakase space dedicated to PCO's signature Mood Cocktail™. The Cigar Room's Tartan checks, the brass lighting in the basement, and vintage elements like wooden paneling, burgundy and olive-green hues, and tasseled lamps all come together to create an ambiance that reflects the nostalgia of old-school speakeasies. The design also incorporates elements from the paintings in the menu scroll into interactive mirror frames, wall decor, and graphics that subtly showcase forbidden ingredients, reflecting the new cocktail menu - 'The Forbidden'.
The Director's Room offers an exclusive Omakase-style cocktail experience where guests can explore new techniques and ingredients. Patrons can indulge in personalised cocktails that are crafted based on a few simple questions—What’s your mood (happy, sad, angry, excited etc.)? What spirit do you prefer? What flavour profile excites you (sweet, sour, tart, spicy)? — and let the expert mixologists take care of the rest. The entire experience is as engaging and educational as it is delicious, with detailed explanations that provide insights into the art of mixology. This hidden room offers a private environment for group bookings, special occasions and unique experiences.
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