At Connaught Place in Delhi, next to the PVR Plaza complex is a fairly visible restaurant and lounge called castle 9. I have no idea what inspires the name. I went there with my friends and we all reached at different times. While there were bunch of people waiting outside, I went in straight away saying that my friends are waiting for me inside. I entered a shabby restaurant half empty and no one to guide me to a table. I was surprised that a bunch of people were waiting outside and at least 6 tables were empty inside.

Anyhow, I did not see my friends and ‘iphoned’ them. They told me that they were waiting outside and were surprised to know that I was already in. I thought to take advantage of the chaos that surrounded and told them to walk in with the same explanation. I grabbed a comfortable table next to the window where my friends joined in. 

The good part turned out to be the drinks menu. No - there was nothing special about it except the prices. I could not believe that a full bottle of Indian beer was priced at just Rs 99. That’s cheap by any standard, let alone Delhi standard. The ambiance and service was nothing to write home about but I have paid Rs 200 for a bottle at worst places.  After few drinks and some rather tasty starters, my friend insisted that we go to the lounge. I was all for it considering that the ambiance at the restaurant was ordinary to the say the least and the crowd that surrounded us was getting tipsy by the minute. Well, what would you expect at a place where liquor is rather cheap.

We cleared the cheque, walked hardly 5 steps and entered the lounge. It was upbeat, the bar design looked trendy, the lights were dim, we occupied comfortable couches, the service improved significantly and the prices on the menu doubled. We continued with more rounds of drinks and listened to a live couple that were playing karaoke on a yamaha. They were not hyming any great songs but were open to request and played a lot of songs that we requested. So that was good.

To sum up, its not a place for special occasions but an ideal place in the heart of Delhi to hangout with friends. Go straight into the lounge unless the sole purpose of the visit is to gulp some cheap ale. Don’t trust the lady outside if she insist that the place is full. Just walk in saying that the dinosaurs have arrived, and she will buy it.