During the day, Kolkata is a city that radiates quaint charm and bubbles with commercial activities. And once the sun goes down, the city wakes up, offering the night owls a plethora of exciting options to experience a very different façade of this cultural hub. The nightlife in Kolkata is not just about peppy nightclubs, fine dining restaurants or the swanky bars. There are a number of thrilling nocturnal activities that you can explore once you step out of your hotels in Kolkata after sundown.
Interested in knowing more about the city’s nightlife? This blog takes you through the best and unique things to do in Kolkata at night.
1. Take a Midnight Heritage Tour
When you are in the cultural capital of the country, taking a heritage tour is a must. Go on a midnight heritage tour to discover Kolkata in a new light altogether, bathed in scintillating lights and minus the crowd that defines it during the day. You can see the Victoria Memorial, Dead Letter Office, Lascar War Memorial, St. Andrews Church, Eden Gardens Stadium, Old Fort William, Kolkata Town Hall, Currency Building, Writers Building and other lesser-known monuments in the cool and calm ambiance of the night.
- Conducted by: Let Us Go
- Timings*: 11:15 pm to 4:15 am
- Cost: ₹1750 per person
*Contact the tour organizer for the availability of dates
2. Take a Long Drive on Vidyasagar Setu
You might have crossed Vidyasagar Setu, one of the top tourist attractions in Kolkata, during the day. But a ride on this bridge under the moonlit sky has a romantic charm to it. You will be mesmerized to see the structure lit up with lights, with River Hooghly flowing peacefully underneath it. You’ll also get a glimpse of the Prinsep Ghat from the bridge.
- Location: Munshi Prem Chand Sarani
- Timings: 24×7; all days of the week
3. Visit Prinsep Ghat
Situated along the bank of River Hooghly, Prinsep Ghat is a fascinating jetty built during the colonial era. When the sun takes a bow and the moon wakes up to light up the sky, this structure dons an ethereal look, bathing in the orange glow of the street lights. Spend some time alone or with your special someone enjoying the cool breeze at this romantic place. You can also watch the Vidyasagar Setu from here, glowing like a grand structure over the dark Hooghly.
- Location: Strand Road
- Timings: 24×7; all days of the week
4. Go for a Ghost Walk
Imagine treading the silent streets at night, listening to ghost stories and looking for the paranormal beings in various haunted places in Kolkata. Kolkata is known to have a number of buildings and monuments that are famous for ghost sightings. Dare yourself to go for a ghost walk and experience the eerie side of the city under the supervision of paranormal investigators. Some of these popular and spooky ghost walks include:
Waling with Ghosts
- Conducted by: Let Us Go
- Price: ₹888 per person
Haunted Houses at Night
- Conducted by: Seek Sherpa
- Price: ₹800 per person
5. Enjoy the Beauty of Howrah Bridge
Your nocturnal expedition of Kolkata is deemed incomplete if you don’t take a drive down the Howrah Bridge. This iconic structure, which boasts of being the busiest cantilever bridge in the world, witnesses minimal traffic during late-night hours. That’s not all! The illuminated bridge offers a spectacular visual treat during the night – a sight you might want to freeze in time.
- Location: Howrah
- Timings: 24×7; all days of the week
Also Read- Top 34 Things to do in Kolkata
6. Wind Down Over a Few Drinks
Visiting a pub or a bar to chill out over a few drinks is definitely one of the recommended activities to do in Kolkata at night. The city has no dearth of pubs, clubs, bars, or lounges where you can enjoy during the late hours. Some of the top pubs and bars in Kolkata include:
Monkey Bar
- Location: Camac Street Area
- Timings:
- 12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight (Sunday to Thursday)
- 12:00 noon to 1:00 am (Fridays and Saturdays)
- Cost for two: ₹1500 (approx.)
The Grid
- Location: Topsia Road
- Timings:
- 12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight (Sunday to Thursday)
- 12:00 noon to 2:00 am (Fridays and Saturdays)
- Cost for two: ₹2000 (approx.)
Hard Rock Cafe
- Location: Park Street Area
- Timings: 12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight
- Cost for two: ₹2500 (approx.)
Someplace Else
- Location: Park Street Area
- Timings: 4:30 pm to 2:00 am; every day
- Cost for two: ₹2400 (approx.)
7. Dance and Sing to Your Heart’s Content
If late night partying is on your mind, Kolkata won’t let you down. Thanks to a number of vibrant nightlife venues, you can groove away to your heart’s content and have a whale of a good time. You can also sing along at the karaoke night dos. Our suggestions include:
For dancing:
Roxy
- Location: The Park, Park Street Area
- Timings: 5:00 pm to 2:00 am; every day
- Cost for two: ₹2500 (approx.)
Phoenix
- Location: The Astor, Camac Street Area
- Timings:
- 5:00 pm to 2:00 am (Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays)
- 5:00 pm to 12:00 midnight (Sundays and Thursdays)
- Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays closed
- Cost for two: ₹1800 (approx.)
Myx
- Location: Park Street Area
- Timings: 8:00 pm to 12:00 am; every day
- Cost for two: ₹2000 (approx.)
Tantra
- Location: The Park, Park Street Area
- Timings: 7:00 pm to 12:00 am
Closed on Mondays
- Cost for two: ₹3500 (approx.)
For karaoke nights:
The Dugout
- Location: Southern Avenue
- Timings: 12:00 pm to 12:00 am; every day
- Karaoke night: Saturday
Xrong Place
- Location: Southern Avenue
- Timings: 2:00 pm to 12:00 am; every day
- Karaoke night: Thursday
10 Downing Street
- Location: Sector 5, Salt Lake
- Timings: 12:00 pm to 12:00 am; every day
- Karaoke night: Thursday
8. Enjoy a Late Night Dinner
Kolkata is a foodie’s paradise and you can treat yourself to a sumptuous meal even at the dead hour of the night. Whether you want to relish a gourmet fare in one of the best restaurants in Kolkata or enjoy a satisfying meal at a roadside dhaba, you will be spoilt for choice. Here are our suggestions:
Azad Hind Dhaba
- Location: Ballygunge Circular Road, Ballygunge
- Timings: 11:30 am to 1:30 am; every day
- Cost for two: ₹ 600 approx.
Jai Hind Dhaba
- Location: Parvati Chakraborty Lane, Hazra
- Timings: 11:00 am to 2:00 am; every day
- Cost for two: ₹ 450 approx.
Sharma Dhaba
- Location: Ballygunge
- Timings: 24×7
- Cost for two: ₹ 700 approx.
The Bridge
- Location: The Floatel Hotel, Dalhousie BBD Bagh
- Timings: 24×7
- Cost for two: ₹ 1600 approx.
Zucca Lounge
- Location: Southern Avenue
- Timings:
- 12:00 noon to 1:00 am (Monday to Friday)
- 12:00 noon to 2:00 am (Saturdays and Sundays)
- Cost for two: ₹ 1500 approx.
K19- Radisson
- Location: Ballygunge
- Timings: 24×7
- Cost for two: ₹ 2500 approx.
Alfresco – The Lalit Great Eastern
- Location: Dalhousie Square, Esplanade
- Timings: 24×7
- Cost for two: ₹ 3500 approx.
9. Attend Live Music Concerts
In keeping with the cultural side of Kolkata, the city hosts a number of live music concerts all year round. And what better way to spend your night than by listening to some soulful music? Here are a couple of places where you can enjoy such concerts at night:
- Calcutta School of Music (Sunny Park)
- The Academy of Fine Arts (Cathedral Rd, Maidan)
10. Watch the Stars
Who doesn’t love gazing at the stars twinkling far away in the sky? You can actually go one step further and enroll in a sky-watching workshop and identify the galaxies and celestial bodies lighting up the night sky through a telescope. Additionally, you can enhance your knowledge about the start and various cosmic mysteries. Get in touch with the following groups for further details:
- Kolkata Astronomy Center (Prafullakanan West)
- Sky Watching Workshop (Ramgarh Garia)
11. Play Night Football
Kolkata’s love for football is legendary. A unique way to enjoy nightlife in the city is to play a night football match. There are several all-night turfs in the city where you can indulge in your love for sports and play a game of not just football but cricket as well. Here are our picks:
Sky Turf
- Location: Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Road, Elgin
- Timings: 6:00 am to 12:00 am
Turf Street Baisakhi
- Location: Salt Lake, AMP Vaishaaki Mall
- Timings: 24×7
12. Ride in a Horse-drawn Carriage
One of the most exciting things to do on your night out in Kolkata is to ride in a horse-drawn carriage around Victoria Memorial and experience the beauty of the empty city roads. You can find specially decorated horse chariots, replete with air conditioning, flowers, lights, and even soothing music playing inside. Hop on to one of these the fairy-tale like carriages with your beloved and ride away into the night.
- Location: Near Victoria Memorial
- Cost: ₹ 500 onwards, depending on the carriage and ride duration
So, what are you waiting for? Plan your trip to the city and come down to experience Kolkata’s nightlife is all its shimmering glory.