New Delhi, Nov. 19 -- A decade ago in Chennai, bars were the exclusive prerogative of five-star hotels as they needed to sell rooms to serve liquor. Gradually, stand-alone cafes, restaurants and bars opened around town. Tamil Nadu's rise in tourism, the hectic IPL season and a new-found love for dining out have brought international flavour and competitive fervour. The best premium cocktail experiences are still in five-stars alongside a handful of stand-alone bars and restobars. Some have visionary concepts, others have mindfully curated drinks around gourmet menus and a few captivate with a world-class cocktail experience.

Cutting-edge drink at KOOX-Rooftop Asian Grill & BarIt's a sophisticated rooftop space with an alfresco area by th...