Naked & Famous Bengaluru: Inside India's First Octagonal Cocktail Bar

Bengaluru's cocktail scene has become increasingly experimental over the last few years. Bars regularly introduce unusual ingredients, fermentation techniques and unexpected flavour combinations, all competing to create the city's next standout drink.

Naked & Famous takes a different route.

Instead of asking you to choose your drink by spirit, it asks you to choose how that drink is made.

Located on 100 Feet Road in Koramangala, Naked & Famous is built around what it describes as India's first octagonal bar. The entire space has been designed to make cocktail making more interactive, placing you close to the bartender and organising the menu around techniques of crafting cocktails.

Every design choice, every drink and even the layout of the room revolves around one central idea: understanding cocktails in a different way.

What is Naked & Famous?

Naked & Famous is a contemporary cocktail bar created by renowned mixologist Karthik Kumar and entrepreneur Priyesh Busetty.

The bar focuses on craft cocktails, approachable hospitality and an experience that encourages conversation between you and the bartender.

Most cocktail bars organise their menus by spirit like whisky, gin, tequila or rum, but at Naked & Famous you start by choosing the preparation method instead. That simple shift changes the way you think about ordering a cocktail.

Here, you first decide whether you want something stirred, shaken, built or served neat.

It's a small idea, but one that fundamentally changes the experience.

Why is this bar called Naked & Famous

The name Naked & Famous comes from the modern classic cocktail of the same name.

Created by Joaquín Simó at Death & Co. in New York in 2011, the drink combines equal parts Aperol, Yellow Chartreuse, mezcal and fresh lime juice.

It quickly became one of the defining cocktails of the global craft cocktail movement because of how perfectly the four ingredients balance one another. Bitter, herbal, smoky and citrus notes exist in equal measure without one overpowering the others.

Naming the bar after this cocktail immediately communicates its philosophy. The focus is on balance, precision and thoughtful craftsmanship.

India's first Octagonal Bar

The defining feature of Naked & Famous sits at the centre of the room.

The bar is designed as an octagon. In this architectural layout, the octagon is divided into four distinct stations positioned around the bar, each representing one of four preparation techniques:

• Built
• Stirred
• Shaken
• Neat

Every cocktail on the menu belongs to one of these sections.

If you choose Built, your drink is assembled directly inside the serving glass. If you choose Stirred, you'll receive a spirit-forward cocktail chilled by stirring with ice.

Shaken covers brighter, citrus-driven drinks, while Neat focuses on spirits served without additional preparation.

This approach makes the menu intuitive. Even if you know very little about cocktails, it's much easier to decide whether you feel like something refreshing, spirit-forward or bold.

How does the layout shapes your experience

The octagonal design also changes your relationship with the bartender.

Every seat sits close to one of the preparation stations, allowing you to watch drinks being made from start to finish.

The bartenders actively encourage questions about ingredients, techniques and flavour profiles, making the ordering process feel collaborative.

That interaction is one of the reasons the layout works so well. Naked & Famous turns the craft of mixology into part of the evening.

Inside Naked & Famous

Finding Naked & Famous is part of the experience.

Hidden on the second floor of a commercial building on Koramangala's busy 100 Feet Road, the entrance gives little indication of what waits upstairs.

Once inside, the atmosphere changes completely.

Muted colours, textured walls, warm lighting and deep blue accents replace the noise of the street outside. Wood, leather and soft lighting dominate the room, while an eye-catching red metal chandelier immediately draws your attention towards the centre of the bar.

One of the more playful details is the subtle cat theme woven throughout the design. Small feline-inspired elements quietly appear across different parts of the interiors, adding personality without distracting from the overall aesthetic.

Signature cocktails you should try

Critics Choice

If you're only ordering one cocktail, start with the Critics Choice.

This is consistently the most recommended drink at Naked & Famous and the one most closely associated with the bar.

It’s a balanced, well-structured cocktail that brings together smoky depth, gentle bitterness, citrus brightness and subtle herbal sweetness. The result is layered but clean, making it one of the most complete expressions of the bar’s technique-first philosophy.

Yuzu Ginger Soju

This is one of the lighter, more refreshing cocktails on the menu.

Yuzu brings a sharp citrus brightness, while ginger adds warmth and depth, all lifted by soju as the base spirit. It’s easy to drink, food-friendly, and works especially well if you’re planning to order multiple dishes through the evening.

Peach Lemongrass Soju

A softer, fruit-forward option from the soju selection.

Peach adds natural sweetness while lemongrass brings a fragrant, aromatic edge. It pairs particularly well with dumplings and lighter Asian dishes, making it a strong choice if you want something gentle and balanced alongside food.

What you to order with your drinks

The Cream Cheese Dumpling with Chilli Oil is the standout dish here. It’s rich, soft, and balanced by just the right amount of heat from the chilli oil. It’s also one of the most consistently ordered items on the table.

The Shu Mai is another strong pick, especially when paired with lighter soju-based cocktails.

If you want something more filling, the Dynamite Shrimp is one of the most popular comfort dishes on the menu.

Maki rolls and ramen round out the experience if you’re staying longer and want something more substantial.

The hospitality you’ll remember

One of the most consistent things you’ll notice here is how natural the service feels.

Conversations with bartenders are easy and unforced. You can ask questions, get recommendations, or simply stick to what you already like. There’s no pressure or rush at any point in the evening.

The experience ends on a particularly thoughtful note.

As you’re leaving, you’re offered a complimentary takeaway cup of either chicken soup or mushroom soup. This isn’t listed on the menu and isn’t charged separately. It’s simply a warm closing gesture that has become one of the most memorable parts of the experience for many guests.

Why Naked & Famous stands out

What makes Naked & Famous different in Koramangala’s cocktail scene is its quieter, more considered approach.

It encourages you to slow down, talk to the bartender, and understand your drink better. You begin to notice how technique, ageing, and preparation style influence flavour and that awareness becomes part of the experience itself.

This slower rhythm is what sets it apart from many newer cocktail bars in Bengaluru.

Getting there

• Naked & Famous is located on the second floor of a commercial building on 100 Feet Road in Koramangala 5th Block.
• It is not directly visible from the street, so you’ll need to look for the building address instead of the signage.
• If you’re using ride-hailing services, search for: Naked & Famous, 100 Feet Road, Koramangala 5th Block.
• If you’re driving, parking is available nearby, though weekends can get busy.

Quick information

Location: Second Floor, 4, 100 Feet Road, Koramangala 5th Block, Bengaluru
Functional hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 5:00 PM – 12:30 AM
Closed: Monday
Cost for two: Approx. ₹3,000 + taxes
Capacity: 60 seats
Co-founders: Karthik Kumar and Priyesh Busetty
Concept: India’s first octagonal bar with a technique-based cocktail menu
Must-order cocktails: Critics Choice, Yuzu Ginger Soju, Peach Lemongrass Soju
Must-order food: Cream Cheese Dumpling with Chilli Oil, Shu Mai, Dynamite Shrimp
Signature gesture: Complimentary chicken or mushroom soup at closing
Reservations: Call +91 9035094173

If you’re in Koramangala and want a cocktail experience that goes beyond the usual night out, this is one place worth putting on your list.

Book a table, go with an open mind, and let the bartenders guide you through the technique-first menu. The result?

You’ll leave with a better understanding of cocktails than when you walked in.