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For actor Rana Daggubati, a good bar is as much about the stories as it is about the drink in the glass. And more often than not, that drink happens to be tequila. The actor has long been drawn to agave spirits, whether he’s discovering new cocktail bars while travelling or sharing a round of drinks with friends.
His affinity for the spirit eventually turned entrepreneurial. Rana co-founded the tequila brand Loca Loka with music composer Anirudh Ravichander and Sree Harsha Vadlamudi, CEO of Ironhill. After launching in the United States and Singapore, the sipping spirit is now available in select cities in India.
It’s no surprise, then, that many of the bars he gravitates towards around the world are ones where tequila (and good cocktails built around it) take centre stage. When Robb Report India asked him to name some of his favourites, the actor admits it wasn’t easy narrowing the list down. But a handful of places, from New York to Delhi and Singapore, continue to draw him back.
This hit spot in Manhattan’s Hell's Kitchen neighbourhood brings together vibrant Peruvian flavours and a lively bar culture. Neon lights wash over the space as plates of ceviche and empanadas move through the room.
While the food is a draw, Rana often finds himself here for the drinks. His favourite is a refined interpretation of the whisky sour–one that highlights the spirit’s nuanced body while balancing citrus brightness with subtle sweetness for a smooth, layered finish.
Back home, Rana has been watching Greater Kailash transform into Delhi’s unofficial cocktail corridor. Among the neighbourhood’s growing list of bars, Strangr sits firmly at the top for him.
The laidback space feels like someone’s living room—intimate, relaxed, and perfect for lingering conversations. His go-to drink here is Sharbari, a tequila-based cocktail that is bold, aromatic, and layered with spice. In his view, it delivers the kind of sensory punch that reflects the capital’s electric nightlife.
Singapore is another city where Rana enjoys exploring cocktail bars, moving between places known for classic drinks and those experimenting with new techniques. Kinki Restaurant + Bar has become one of his regular stops.
Located at Customs House on Collyer Quay, the Japanese restaurant and bar embraces a slightly irreverent personality. Guests arrive through a lift lined with Kintsugi-inspired wallpaper before stepping into the restaurant. After sampling small plates on the dining level, Rana prefers heading to the rooftop bar above, where sweeping views of Marina Bay add to the experience.
Here, he usually orders the Double Happiness, a lively mix of tequila, passion fruit, and supasawa that keeps the drink fruity and playful.
Rana likes seeking out places that feel a little unexpected, and Nothing Really Matters in New York is one such find.
Located next to a Duane Reade near Broadway, the entrance resembles a subway stairwell.
Descend the steps and you enter a cosy cocktail den centred around a long oak bar, with a disco ball glinting in the corner.
His usual order here is I Am Not a Playa, created by mixologist Cyllan Hicks. Built around tequila, the drink balances oak-kissed warmth with a refined after-dark elegance.
Another Delhi bar that has caught the actor’s attention is Painkiller in Hauz Khas. Known for its inventive cocktail menu styled like a medicine cabinet, the bar has quickly become a favourite among the city’s drink enthusiasts.
While the menu features creations like Dolo 651, Siplakiller, and Injection No.5, Rana often goes for the Paloma Highball. The cocktail reimagines the classic tequila drink with pink peppercorn, Aperol, and grapefruit, resulting in something bright, effervescent, and punchy.