In Jaipur’s historic MI Road district, Paro a bar occupies an 80-year-old colonial building that exudes both contemporary flair and old-world charm. Billed as a “Modern Indian Bar,” Paro seamlessly fuses the city’s classic heritage ambiance with a vibrant, modern party scene. In just over a year since launch, it has emerged as a hotspot for Jaipur’s trendsetting crowd, offering an elevated drinking and dining experience that feels as iconic and regal as its name.
Heritage Meets Modern Design in the Heart of Jaipur
Rooftop seating at Paro merges heritage architecture with modern lounge comfort. Paro is housed in a pre-Independence era building near Jaipur’s landmark Raj Mandir cinema, where the city’s classic charm meets a contemporary nightlife vibe. The building – once a bustling trading hub and later a family mansion – has been thoughtfully restored into a multi-level lounge with a rooftop and verandah overlooking the iconic Panch Batti intersection. Many original architectural elements remain intact; notably, the walls have been finished in indigenous lime plaster by descendants of the craftsmen who worked on Jaipur’s famed Hawa Mahal. Underfoot, Makrana marble flooring (the same marble used in the Taj Mahal) lends a gleaming heritage touch to the space. These historic details blend seamlessly with contemporary luxuries – an island-style central bar encourages social mingling, while plush furnishings and swaying chandeliers bathe the rooms in a warm glow. Soft lighting on terracotta-hued walls gives the interiors a distinctive warmth, and a balcony belvedere offers a “vibrant and theatrical view” of the city beyond. As dusk falls, Paro’s rooftop comes alive with flickering candles, transforming the atmosphere into a soothing, open-sky oasis above the bustling city. The result is a work of “architectural poetry” – a venue that riotously merges color, fervor, and spark – delivering Jaipur a setting that is at once nostalgically elegant and energetically modern.
Innovative Cocktails Infused with Indian Flavours
Signature cocktails at Paro highlight local ingredients and creative presentation. At Paro’s bar, mixology meets Indian tradition. The beverage program leans deeply into local ingredients, with everything from spirits to bitters and syrups crafted in-house using premium Indian spices and secret infusions. The result is a lineup of signature cocktails that pay tribute to regional flavors and stories. For example, the “Shehar” cocktail – a rose-infused gin and tonic – evokes the rosy hues of Jaipur’s old city. The “Ratnagiri Rhapsody” blends whiskey with cumin and kokum, a tangy fruit from western India, creating a bold yet balanced concoction. Another favorite, the “Garam Masala” cocktail, layers a robust whiskey base with warming spices like cinnamon, cumin, and ginger for a truly homegrown twist. Many drinks nod to local culture or nostalgia: guests might be welcomed with a Jamun (Indian java plum) infused gin & tonic on arrival, or encounter the dramatic “Saanjh” cocktail – a twilight-colored blend of butterfly-pea gin and tonic served with a smoking rosemary sprig to mimic a Jaipur sunset. Each cocktail comes with a story and inventive presentation, reflecting co-founder Ujjwal Gupta’s passion for mixology and original flavors. By marrying artisanal technique with indigenous ingredients, Paro’s bar ensures that every sip is an ode to India.
Indian Cuisine Reimagined: From Chaat to Gourmet
While many lounges chase global cuisines, Paro stays Indian at heart – with playful twists. The food menu proudly celebrates regional classics in innovative formats. In fact, the menu is organized not by conventional courses but by Indian culinary themes (think Chaat & Chakhna, Kebabs & Tikkas, Curries & Biryanis), underscoring its roots in Indian street food and comfort food culture. Guests will recognize familiar favorites cleverly reinterpreted: the iconic Rajasthani Dal Bati is reborn as bite-sized savory tarts called Dal Bati Bites, and South India’s beloved dosa is playfully refashioned into crisp Dosa Onion Rings served with potato masala and chutney. The chefs at Paro delight in fusing flavors – think Bedmi Poori Nachos, Inji Puli (ginger-tamarind) Chicken Wings, or Gunpowder-spiced Prawns, to name a few inventive bar bites. Mumbai’s street-food influence appears in the buttery Pav Bhaji Rolls, and even the humble peanut brittle finds new life as a Peanut Chikki Bhel mix. An extensive selection of mains and flatbreads is available for heartier dining, but many find they can happily make a meal of the shareable small plates alone. To cap the experience, Paro offers desserts that blend nostalgia with nouvelle techniques – highlights include the Aamras Panna Cotta, marrying a traditional mango puree with an Italian custard twist, and a decadent Jigarthanda Falooda inspired by the famous Indian layered dessert drink. Every dish is crafted to complement the bar’s cocktails, fulfilling the founding principle of elevating traditional Indian fare in a modern way. The result is a dining experience that is at once comfortingly familiar and excitingly novel – a true gastronomic journey through India on each plate.
An Immersive Experience: Music, Ambiance & Hospitality
Beyond the food and drinks, Paro prides itself on offering an immersive nightlife experience. Live indie music and DJ sets fill the air on different nights, infusing the space with an upbeat energy that beckons Jaipur’s fun-loving crowdThe soundtrack ranges from mellow Indie tunes at sundown to groovy, high-energy beats as the night advances, turning Paro into a lively dance-friendly venue by late evening. Visitors consistently praise the ambiance – one guest described Paro as “a true hidden gem… the perfect escape from the hustle, where you can unwind, enjoy great music from the DJ, and soak in an international vibe” above the city lights. Indeed, by twilight the candlelit rooftop and panoramic skyline give an almost vacation-like feel, while the colonial-era architecture around you reminds you that you’re reveling in the heart of Jaipur’s heritage. Despite the high style and energy, Paro retains a spirit of genuine Rajasthani hospitality at its core. The staff are warm and attentive – echoing the region’s tradition of making guests feel at home – often urging visitors to “leave a little room” for one more drink or bite or sweet treat in true hospitable fashion. This welcoming ethos, combined with the venue’s dramatic setting, music, and culinary delights, creates an atmosphere that is both inviting and exhilarating. Whether you’re planning a date night or a celebration with friends, Paro manages to feel intimate yet buzzing, sophisticated yet unpretentious. As one review put it, it’s “the perfect venue for a date night or an epic night out with friends,” thanks to top-notch service, flavorful dishes, and lively music throughout the evening. In short, Paro delivers not just a meal or a drink, but a complete sensory experience – the kind Jaipur has seldom seen before.
Events and Collaborations: Elevating Jaipur’s Bar Scene
In addition to its nightly operations, Paro actively engages the wider hospitality scene through creative events and collaborations. In its first year, Paro’s team took their show on the road with multi-city bar takeovers, showcasing Jaipur’s flavors in other metros and making a mark on India’s cocktail map. The bar’s innovative approach earned it roles as the official pouring partner for high-profile happenings like the Indian Polo Awards, and it even hosted Jaipur’s first Superkicks street-culture event, melding mixology with music, fashion, and art. Paro frequently invites renowned mixologists and chef talents for special nights – for instance, a guest bartender session saw the “crazy energy of Delhi’s Whisky Samba bar hit the classic vibe of Paro” in a spirited crossover event, much to the delight of Jaipur’s cocktail aficionados. The venue has also launched an exclusive tasting series titled “Paro Got A Star,” featuring collaborative dinners with Michelin-starred chefs and 9-course menus that explore the depths of Indian flavor in fine dining format. These buzz-worthy experiences have firmly positioned Paro as a forward-thinking trendsetter in Jaipur’s hospitality landscape. Media outlets have been quick to recognize Paro’s impact – Condé Nast Traveller hailed it as a potential “next hotspot” for the city’s posh crowds and noted how it draws “fashion-forward people, groovy music and mixology masters” every weekend. Likewise, culture publications have praised how Paro, by digging deep into local culture while embracing modern ideas, “cut through the noise” and made a name for itself nationally in a short span.
As Paro continues to thrive, its founding team shows no signs of slowing down. With an eye on taking Jaipur’s nightlife to new heights, they are pursuing further collaborations, high-profile takeovers, and creative events that blur the lines between bar, restaurant, and cultural space. Yet, at its core, Paro remains what it set out to be – a destination bar where locals and visitors alike can savor India’s rich flavors in a chic setting that honors the past while celebrating the present. In doing so, Paro has firmly established itself as a crown jewel in Jaipur’s evolving hospitality scene – a place where heritage, innovation, and impeccable hospitality come together to create magic nightly.
For reservations and more information: Paro – Modern Indian Bar is located at 1st & 2nd Floor, Jaipuria Mansion, Panch Batti, MI Road, Jaipur. It is open daily from afternoon until midnight (12:00 PM – 11:59 PM). Follow @paro.india on Instagram for the latest updates on menus and events.