From Japanese izakaya culture to inventive Asian-inspired cocktails, a one-night takeover in Indiranagar invites Bengaluru’s cocktail crowd to experience a different side of the bar scene.

Some of the most interesting nights in a city begin behind a door that not everyone knows to open. On Saturday, October 24, Bengaluru’s 403 Forbidden Bar invites cocktail enthusiasts to step into Access Granted, a one-night collaboration with New Delhi’s Call Me Ten, ranked No. 45 among India’s best bars.

Presented in association with Tulleeho, the takeover brings Mohit Badh, Head Bartender at Call Me Ten, to Indiranagar for an evening of contemporary mixology, inventive flavour combinations and a cocktail programme inspired by the New Delhi bar’s distinctive approach to hospitality.

At its heart, the collaboration is about the exchange of ideas between two drinking destinations. Call Me Ten brings its progressive cocktail sensibility to 403 Forbidden Bar, whose Distractions Denied philosophy centres on being present and immersed in the experience. The result is an evening designed to place the cocktail, its craftsmanship and the moment itself at the forefront.

A Japanese Izakaya with a Progressive Pour

Located in Vasant Vihar, New Delhi, Call Me Ten draws inspiration from Japanese izakaya culture, pairing an intimate, omakase-style bar experience with an experimental approach to cocktails. Its programme explores flavour, ingredients and technique through combinations that often take their cues from Asian culinary traditions.

For its Bengaluru appearance, the bar brings that philosophy to a specially curated menu built around unexpected pairings, familiar flavours and contemporary preparation methods.

Four Cocktails, A World of Flavours

The menu moves between refreshing, savoury, smoky and dessert-inspired profiles, offering a snapshot of Call Me Ten’s creative approach to the glass.

Ninja Haiboru combines kaffir-infused vodka, bianco vermouth, house-pickled brine and lychee, finished with carbonation for a lively, refreshing serve.

Ume Collins brings together blanco tequila, mezcal, ume liqueur, yuzu kosho and citrus cordial, balancing smoky depth with bright citrus and savoury notes.

Yuzu Sour pairs fennel-infused gin with yuzu, lemon and bitters, finished with a smooth egg-white foam that lends the drink a softer texture.

Mango Sticky Rice takes inspiration from the beloved Thai dessert, combining jasmine rice-infused reposado tequila with mango yoghurt, lime, sesame palm sugar orgeat and condensed milk. The result translates a familiar culinary reference into a more experimental cocktail format.

Together, the drinks reflect a growing interest in cocktails that borrow from the language of food, bringing ingredients, textures and cultural references into a more exploratory drinking experience.

One Night Behind the Bar

With Mohit Badh behind the bar, Access Granted offers Bengaluru guests an opportunity to experience Call Me Ten’s cocktail philosophy without leaving the city. The collaboration also continues the role of guest shifts in bringing India’s bar communities closer together, allowing bartenders to share techniques and creative perspectives across destinations.

For 403 Forbidden Bar, the evening fits naturally into its emphasis on immersion and intentional drinking. For Call Me Ten, it is an opportunity to introduce its distinctive mixology to a new audience.

Whether the draw is the smoky complexity of Ume Collins, the playful dessert inspiration behind Mango Sticky Rice or the precision of a well-executed sour, the evening promises a menu that rewards curiosity.

Access Granted is a reminder that sometimes the best way to discover a city’s cocktail culture is to let another city pour you a drink.