About INDN Small Plates & Cocktails

INDN Small Plates & Cocktails is a modern Indian cocktail bar and restaurant located at 30 West 30th Street in Manhattan's NoMad neighborhood, which opened in late 2025 as New York City's first all-Indian cocktail bar . The venture is the brainchild of husband-and-wife team Simran "Sim" Bakshi and Kanika Vij Bakshi, who previously ran Spice Bazaar in New Jersey, with deep roots in hospitality through Kanika's father Vicky Vij, who owned and ran the acclaimed Bukhara Grill in New York for over two decades . The restaurant distinguishes itself with a bold concept: cocktails come first, with the food designed to follow as "chakhna" (traditional Indian bar snacks meant to be enjoyed with drinks) . The space is strictly 21+, positioning itself as a "grown-up playground" for a sophisticated, adult-oriented nightlife experience rather than a traditional family restaurant—a decision that initially concerned Vicky Vij but which he later admitted was the right call . The cocktail program is the restaurant's centerpiece, featuring inventive, savory drinks inspired by classic Indian dishes that underwent months of research and development . Signature cocktails include the Butterface (mezcal with fenugreek, garam masala, and lemon, designed to mimic the flavor of butter chicken), Paneer Panic (Bombay Sapphire with cilantro, saag/spinach, turmeric, and lime, garnished with a cube of paneer as a playful nod to saag paneer), Nuthin' But a Ghee Thang (ghee-washed Angel's Envy bourbon old-fashioned style), How Can She Slap?! (Johnnie Walker Black with mango, ginger, and lemon), and Parle-G Spot (Cognac with masala chai and a foam made from the iconic Indian Parle-G tea biscuit) .