Atelier V in Indore is setting a new tone for hospitality in India’s smaller cities. On August 2nd, Perfect Serve India joined a select group for an early look at their new cocktail menu, hosted by Vedant Newatia (Founder & Head Chef) in collaboration with Outlier PR, and with bar direction by Karan Dhanelia.
Relaxed-vibes with culinary cocktails. The venue’s first impression is soft and considered. Minimalist but personal, with rich beige, black and green hues, offset by art that pops. It’s designed for comfort, with thoughtful touches like chairs so deep you can comfortably recline after a few too many spoonfuls, complete with bag hooks (much appreciated), and a layout that offers privacy without losing connection to the central bar’s quiet theatre. Special shoutout to the washrooms. If you are inclined to a bathroom selfie, don’t forget to take your camera!
But this wasn’t just a dinner, it was a passport-stamped journey around the world. The menu itself is built like a travelogue, where every cocktail corresponds to a toast from a different country. It's a concept that's been seen before, but rarely with this level of consistency and execution, and eye for detail. Think: tight flavour balance, carefully matched glassware, and storytelling that complements rather than crowds the experience.
For bartenders and operators (especially those in emerging markets) there’s a lot to unpack here. Vedant’s advice is rooted in authenticity over theatrics:
“If you're building a bar program in a smaller city, don’t worry about trying to be flashy or impress people from the industry. Focus on the fundamentals, use the best ingredients you can get, treat every cocktail like it matters, and put genuine care into the details. Guests might not know every technical term, but they can always taste sincerity and quality. Avoid waste where you can, keep things honest, and build a menu that’s exciting but approachable. It’s not about chasing trends or accolades, it’s about making sure the people who walk through your door leave happy.”
— Vedant Newatia, Founder & Head Chef
That attitude flows directly into the drinks. Down The Hatch!, a bright gin number with lime, ginger and cucumber, lands beautifully at the beginning of the evening to cleanse and awaken the palate. A big win for any Southside lover out there, and refreshing enough to drink more than one.
For those who like a little more spice in their life, the Arriba! will hit the spot, with tequila, jalapeño and salsa. It is bold but balanced, enough to intrigue without intimidating, and a perfect spacer between a number of decadent dishes on offer.
Other notable selections on the menu are mentioned below, and for those with the keen eye, you will notice each has been inspired by a different city, and how one would say "Cheers" when enjoying a drink locally.
- Proscht! — Switzerland: A glacial rush of vodka, butterfly pea, and passionfruit — Vedant’s signature serve straight from Bern, bold and electric.
- Eviva! — Greece: Gin, olive oil, and a vanilla cheesecake foam that floats like a cloud over the Aegean.
- Geonbae! — Korea: A surprising fusion of black garlic, yuzu, and gin.
- Piyo! — India: Gondhoraj, mango foam, caramelised banana — it doesn’t ask, it orders.
Glassware across the board is clearly intentional. Nothing feels like an afterthought. The team understands that the right glass can make or break a drink, and the extra details in the garnish make for a very grammable experience.
The bar team, led by Karan Dhanelia, has layered in complexity without compromising accessibility:
“The goal was to introduce bold, modern cocktails and new flavours to a city that hadn’t seen this kind of bar program before,” he explains. “Some drinks like Piyo! and Kanpai! took off quickly. Others like Geonbae! or Nazdorovia! are still growing on people, but that’s how taste evolves.”
Their back bar quietly flexes, with everything batched fresh daily, and menu techniques ranging from clarifications and infusions to foams and savoury ingredients like Parmesan and mushroom. Karan continues:
“There’s something here for every palate. We’ve put our heart into this — and hope that people come with an open mind and give it a shot.”
— Karan Dhanelia, Head Bartender
Food-wise, it’s not a matter of food taking over drinks, or vice versa. Courses pair effortlessly, and the extensive menu has something for everyone. Standout serves for me were the pesto gnocchi cigars which brought crisp pan-contact texture and indulgent richness, and for dessert the lime gelato with cream wafer was a smart palate-reset that rounded the experience. You feel well-fed, not just full.
Service deserves a shout too, clean, confident, warm and with hidden details that are often missed. Personalised tasting cards guided the drinks experience, and the team struck the perfect tone between informative and invisible. The much-photographed olive tree bread starter made a memorable entry and was echoed subtly throughout the space.
So, who’s this space for? Cocktail lovers, of course! But also date-night duos, visiting tourists, and Indore locals looking for something fresh yet familiar. Arrive early in the evening to enjoy the shift from soft natural light to a buzzing, moodier night vibe.
Atelier V isn’t trying to be a Delhi bar in Indore. It’s showing what thoughtful hospitality can look like when the team is aligned, the details are cared for, and the guests are seen.
