Gujarat is India's westernmost state, a broad sweep of Arabian Sea coastline, salt desert, and temple towns on the border with Pakistan and Rajasthan. It holds four UNESCO World Heritage Sites plus the walled city of Ahmedabad, the only Asiatic lion population on earth at Gir, the white salt flats of the Rann of Kutch, and the 182-metre Statue of Unity. It is also an alcohol-prohibition state with a famously vegetarian kitchen, from the multi-course Gujarati thali to Surat's locho and Kutch's dabeli.
Gujarat has been a prohibition state since 1960, so it has essentially no bar or club scene. Evenings revolve around chai stalls, night food markets, dessert parlours, cafes and, during Navratri, the nine-night garba and dandiya dance festival. Visitors who want a drink use hotel permit rooms or head to Diu, a separate Union Territory.
Family-oriented, food-led and festive. Night owls will find late-night food markets rather than clubs.
At a glance
- Peak hours
- Street food markets 9PM-1AM; cafes 8PM-11PM; Navratri garba 9PM-midnight.
- Average drink
- Non-alcoholic: chai INR 10-30 (approx USD 0.10-0.30), coffee INR 100-250 (approx USD 1-2.60); alcohol in permit rooms or GIFT City: approx INR 500-2,000 per drink (approx USD 5-21).
- Dress code
- Smart casual in cafes and hotels; traditional chaniya choli, kediyu or kurta at garba events; modest clothing in the Old City.
- Cover charge
- Alcohol sale and service is illegal across Gujarat except in permit rooms and GIFT City designated venues; carrying alcohol into the state is unlawful and drinking in public can lead to prosecution.
Nightlife districts
Where the action happens after dark.
Old City Manek Chowk
Night food market in the walled city.
Best for: street-food lovers
Sindhu Bhavan Road and SG Highway
Cafes, restaurants and dessert lounges.
Best for: couples and groups
Law Garden
Handicraft market and food stalls.
Best for: families and shopping
Kankaria Lakefront
Lakeside promenade.
Best for: families
Vadodara garba grounds
Navratri dance grounds.
Best for: visitors in September-October
Bars & pubs
Where locals drink.
Manek Chowk Night Market
Old City square that transforms into a night food market with sandwiches, pav bhaji, kulfi and dosa stalls.
Known for: Late-night vegetarian food square
Manek Chowk, Bhadra, Ahmedabad 380001
Law Garden Night Market and Khau Gali
Evening handicraft market and food stalls beside Law Garden.
Known for: Handicraft market and chaat
Law Garden Road, Ellisbridge, Ahmedabad 380006
Sindhu Bhavan Road Cafe Strip
Ahmedabad's upmarket evening strip of cafes, dessert parlours and restaurants; alcohol is not served in cafes, only in permit rooms of some hotels.
Known for: Cafes, mocktails and desserts
Sindhu Bhavan Road, Bodakdev, Ahmedabad 380059
New Lucky Restaurant and Tea Stall
Long-standing Ahmedabad tea house known for its unusual garden seating.
Known for: Maska bun and chai with cemetery-garden seating
Opp. Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, Lal Darwaja, Ahmedabad 380001
Kankaria Lakefront Evening Promenade
Evening lake promenade with food stalls, and the Kankaria Carnival at the end of December.
Known for: Lakeside snacks, rides and the Kankaria Carnival
Kankaria Lake, Maninagar, Ahmedabad 380008
Dumas Beach Evening Food Stalls, Surat
Surat's black-sand beach food stalls are popular at sunset; visitors should not swim (strong currents) or linger late.
Known for: Bhajiya, chaat and tea on black sand
Dumas Beach Road, Dumas, Surat 395007
Clubs
For dancing into the early hours.
GMDC Ground Navratri Garba
One of Ahmedabad's largest Navratri grounds; passes are bought from organiser websites and counters, and traditional or festive clothing is expected.
Cover: Approx INR 500-2,500 per pass (approx USD 5-26)
Hours: Navratri nights (Sept/Oct), about 8PM-midnight
Vadodara Navratri Garba (United Way of Baroda and neighbourhood pandals)
Vadodara is called the garba capital of Gujarat; organised events sell passes, and community pandals are often free.
Cover: Approx INR 500-3,000 per pass (approx USD 5-31)
Hours: Navratri nights (Sept/Oct), approx 8PM-midnight
GIFT City Designated Alcohol-Permitted Venues
GIFT City has been permitted to serve alcohol in designated wine-and-dine venues since late 2023; access rules (for example permits or a GIFT City resident host) should be verified before visiting. It is not a clubbing district.
Cover: Per venue
Hours: Venue-specific; dinner hours approx 7PM-11PM (verify)
Live entertainment
Music, theatre, and performance venues.
Hotel permit rooms (tourist liquor permits)
Some Ahmedabad hotels have permit rooms for guests with a valid temporary visitor permit; the permit can be obtained through the Gujarat prohibition department or the hotel front desk.
Navratri Garba season
September/October nightly dance festival across Gujarat.
Kankaria Carnival
Late-December week of concerts and food stalls at Kankaria Lake.
Diu (separate Union Territory)
About 360 km from Ahmedabad by road; alcohol is legally sold there, with beach bars in Diu town, so travellers seeking bars often extend the trip to Diu.
Nightlife tips
Stay safe and have fun.
Obtain a temporary visitor liquor permit before arrival if a hotel permit-room drink is wanted.
Do not bring alcohol into Gujarat; there are checks at state borders.
Book Navratri passes early; large grounds sell out.
Use Uber or Ola at night rather than street autos.
Dress modestly outside cafes and festival grounds.
Most cafes close by midnight; Manek Chowk runs later.
Emergency numbers in India: 112 (unified), 100 (police), 108 (ambulance), 1363 (national tourist helpline); Gujarat Tourism toll-free 1800 203 1111.