The Porcupine Bengaluru: Indiranagar's New Indian Public House

If you've ever walked into a pub in Bengaluru and found yourself choosing between imported beer, international spirits and the same predictable bar menu, The Porcupine wants you to rethink what an Indian pub can be.

Located on 100 Feet Road in Indiranagar, The Porcupine describes itself as an Indian public house. The difference isn't just in the branding. Almost everything inside has been built around Indian ingredients, Indian spirits and food that feels familiar.

Amidst multiple places that build on the idea of a British, Irish or American pub, The Porcupine asks a different question. What would a public house have looked like if it had grown naturally in India?

The answer is a space where the whisky comes from Rampur, Indri and Amrut instead of Scotland. The gin is distilled in India. The beer on tap is brewed here. The kitchen serves fresh biryani, kulchas, grilled meats and sourdough jaffles alongside pizzas and burgers.

And the best part? Even your pet is welcome here.

If you're looking for somewhere that feels different from the usual Indiranagar bar circuit, here's everything you need to know before you go.

What makes The Porcupine different from other bars in Indiranagar?

Within a few minutes' walk in Indiranagar, you'll find sports bars, breweries, cocktail lounges, rooftop bars and neighbourhood watering holes. Most follow a familiar formula that combines international spirits, imported influences and menus inspired by Europe or America.

The Porcupine takes a different approach.

Indian spirits sit at the centre of the experience. The food follows the same philosophy. The menu focuses on dishes that make sense in Bengaluru while still feeling at home in a relaxed pub setting.

It simply feels like a pub that grew up here instead of being imported from somewhere else.

What is an Indian Public House?

Most people already know what a British pub is. It's a place where people gather after work, meet friends, watch sport, have a drink, order comforting food and spend a few unhurried hours together.

The Porcupine takes that idea and rebuilds it around India.

The drinks list celebrates Indian distilleries. The food uses familiar recipes. The atmosphere encourages conversation over loud nightclub energy, and the space is designed to become somewhere you return to regularly.

This Indian Public House is devoted to creating a neighbourhood bar with an Indian identity.

Indian Single Malts take centre stage

India's whisky industry has changed dramatically over the past decade.

Distilleries that were once considered niche now regularly compete with some of Scotland's biggest names, winning awards around the world.

The Porcupine showcases that evolution with a collection that includes:

• Rampur
• Indri
• Amrut
• Paul John
• Godawan

Whether you're already familiar with Indian single malts or trying one for the first time, the selection gives you a chance to explore some of the country's best producers in one place.

Gin, Rum, Agave Spirits and Wine stay close to home

The gin selection highlights Indian distilleries using local botanicals, including Himalayan juniper and citrus varieties such as gondhoraj lime that create distinctly Indian flavour profiles.

The rum programme features spirits produced in Goa, while the agave collection introduces Indian-made agave spirits from Telangana, reflecting how rapidly India's craft spirits industry continues to grow.

Wine hasn't been overlooked either.

Instead of relying solely on imported bottles, the list includes labels from Nashik, India's most established wine region and home to many of the country's leading vineyards.

Together, the collection offers a snapshot of just how diverse Indian spirits have become.

The cocktails keep the focus on Indian flavours

The cocktail menu follows exactly the same philosophy as the back bar. The drinks highlight flavours that feel rooted in India.

You'll find ingredients such as raw mango, jackfruit, pickle brine and regional spices appearing throughout the menu.

Among the signature serves are the refreshing Green Apple Press, the Rosita, and the Pickleback Gin, which uses pickle brine in a way that feels surprisingly balanced.

If you're unsure where to begin, it's worth asking the team for the dedicated Indian Pours menu. It's designed to introduce guests to the country's growing craft spirits scene and often includes bottles you won't easily find elsewhere.

Don't skip the House Beer

Beer remains central to any good pub, and The Porcupine keeps things simple. Its own Indian house lager is available on tap throughout the day.

Clean, crisp and easy to drink, it's designed to pair comfortably with everything from grilled meats to spicy snacks without overpowering the food.

If you prefer familiar labels, you'll still find options like Kingfisher Premium and Heineken Silver available, but the house lager is very much intended to be your first order. It captures the spirit of the venue perfectly by keeping the focus local.

The kitchen starts fresh every morning

The drinks may be the biggest conversation starter, but the kitchen follows an equally clear philosophy. Everything begins again each morning!

Stocks are prepared from scratch. Chutneys are made fresh. Marinades are mixed daily. Sourdough is baked in-house, and desserts aren't carried over from the previous day.

The idea is simple. If the food wouldn't be good enough to serve at home, it doesn't make it onto the menu.

That approach also extends to the cooking itself. Instead of relying heavily on deep frying, the kitchen primarily uses olive oil and cold-pressed oils where appropriate, creating food that feels comforting.

What to order here?

The menu is organised into categories that make it easy to order whether you're stopping in for one drink or settling in for dinner.

Small bites to start with

If you're meeting friends over drinks, the smaller plates are designed exactly for that.

Options include Oaxacan peanuts, coastal goli bites, peanut podi idli and chilli cheese toast served on freshly baked sourdough.

They're easy to share and pair naturally with the house lager or one of the signature cocktails.

Home style comfort food

If you're staying for dinner, this section is where many of the standout dishes sit.

The Porcupine Biryani is one of the restaurant's signature plates, featuring slow-cooked mutton layered with fragrant basmati rice.

You'll also find home-style smoked butter chicken, pepper chicken biryani and coastal fish curry served with rice.

These aren't small tasting portions. They're proper meals designed to satisfy.

The grill section

The Char and Sizzle section focuses on grilled meats, seafood and vegetables.

Highlights include chargrilled lamb chops, BBQ chicken prepared in-house, butter blaze prawn skewers and ember mushrooms finished with khoya.

Wood fired comfort food

The Foundation Margherita keeps things classic, while options like the spicy mushroom pizza and pepperoni with hot honey offer something more adventurous.

Perhaps the most unusual creation is the butter chicken calzone, which combines one of India's favourite curries with a folded pizza in a surprisingly natural way.

Bigger plates

If you're particularly hungry, the Heavy Lifters section delivers exactly what the name promises.

Garlic steak frites, a buff smash burger, Philly cheesesteak and a rib-eye served with Café de Paris butter provide the kind of hearty meals that suit long evenings at the pub.

Jaffles and kulchas

One of the more distinctive parts of the menu is the dedicated jaffle and kulcha section.

The pressed sourdough jaffles include fillings such as lamb keema, mushroom with cheese and the Prickly chicken melt.

Alongside them are freshly prepared kulchas stuffed with potato, cauliflower, mushrooms or chilli cheese.

They're simple, comforting and unlike anything you'll usually find on a pub menu in Bengaluru.

What should you order on your first visit?

If it's your first time at The Porcupine, a few dishes stand out immediately.

Start with the house lager or ask for one of the Indian whisky recommendations before moving on to the Green Apple Press if you're in the mood for cocktails.

For food, the Porcupine Biryani remains one of the kitchen's signature dishes and is worth ordering if you're looking for a proper meal.

The lamb chops are another standout, while the butter chicken calzone offers one of the menu's more unusual combinations.

If you're sharing food over drinks, the lamb keema jaffle and chilli cheese toast make excellent starters.

Inside the space

Here, you'll find dark wood finishes, warm lighting and comfortable seating that encourages you to stay longer than planned.

Music comes from records played on a turntable instead of a DJ booth.

The atmosphere is relaxed throughout the day and evening, making it equally suitable for after-work drinks, weekend lunches or unhurried dinners.

There's no dress code and no attempt to create exclusivity.

It's simply a neighbourhood pub where people come together over good food and good drinks.

How to reach The Porcupine

The Porcupine sits directly on 100 Feet Road in Indiranagar, making it easy to reach from most parts of Bengaluru.

The nearest Metro station is Indiranagar on the Purple Line, followed by a short walk or quick auto ride.

Ride-hailing services such as Ola and Uber operate throughout the area, while those driving should note that street parking along 100 Feet Road becomes limited on Friday and Saturday evenings.

If you're planning to visit during peak hours, arriving by cab is generally the easier option.

A few things worth knowing before you go

Before heading over, keep these practical tips in mind:

• Walk-ins are always welcome if you're planning to sit at the bar.
• Reservations are recommended if you're visiting specifically for dinner, especially on weekends.
• Ask to see the Indian Pours menu before ordering your usual whisky.
• Try the house lager at least once before moving on to other beers.
• Midweek evenings tend to be quieter if you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere.
• If you're bringing your pet, you'll find water bowls and treats waiting.

Quick information

Location: 838/A, 100 Feet Road, First Stage, Binnamangala, Indiranagar, Bengaluru 560038
Opening hours: Daily, 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM
Reservations: Recommended for dining by calling +91 89041 97772
Walk-ins: Always welcome at the bar
Website: theporcupine.in
Pets: Welcome throughout the venue

From award-winning Indian whiskies and house-brewed lager to freshly prepared biryani, grilled meats and dog-friendly hospitality, everything here is crafted to feel familiar.

If you're looking for a pub that feels rooted in India while still delivering everything you'd expect from a great neighbourhood hangout, The Porcupine is well worth adding to your list.