India, Aug. 21 -- By day, Hyderabad is a city of layered histories, where centuries-old mosques stand beside sleek glass towers and the scent of biryani lingers in the air. When the sun slips behind the domes of the old city and the last batch of Irani chai is poured, Hyderabad's nightlife awakens. Fairy lights glimmer in hidden courtyards, music drifts from tucked-away clubs in Jubilee Hills, and kebabs sizzle on Charminar's midnight grills.

A Sufi qawwali under the stars can be as stirring as cocktails with a skyline view. There are clubs and rooftop bars, but the real discoveries happen in unexpected moments. You might find yourself on a late-night food trail through the Old City or sipping chai at a stall that has been around for gen...