The Lighthouse Bar opens at The Park Visakhapatnam

In its new avatar, The Lighthouse Bar steps into the space once occupied by Someplace Else Bar, a venue that shaped Visakhapatnam’s after-hours culture for over a decade. The transition has not been hurried. The interiors have been three months in the making. And the result is a bar that resists nostalgia while acknowledging its past, choosing restraint and detail over spectacle.

From my seat, the geography does much of the talking. The lighthouse stands to the left, the sea stretches ahead and the bar positions itself as a quiet observer rather than a scene-stealer. Indoors, the design stays faithful to its theme without lapsing into costume. Nautical references appear in textures and tones rather than symbols. Warm amber lighting settles over wood, brushed metal and curved lines that subtly echo maritime forms. The mood is composed and unhurried, the kind of room that encourages conversation to find its own pace.

The Park’s general manager, Jaydeep Biswas, describes the intent with clarity. “The intention was to create a bar that feels rooted in this coastline, without being predictable,” he says. “We wanted guests to feel a sense of familiarity, but also discover something new in the details, whether it is the lighting, the music or what is in the glass and the food.”

Along one wall, a discreet screen runs a loop of coastal visuals: slow-moving waves, shifting horizons and lighthouse beams cutting through dusk, adding movement to the room without competing for attention, much like the sea beyond the glass.

That attention to detail is most in the beverage programme. The cocktail list is created around balance and sound ingredient choices. Regional ingredients are used thoughtfully. Kaffir lime brings lift without sharpness, coconut lends texture without extra sweetness and jaggery is handled with a light hand. The Floating Lantern pairs whisky with honey and fresh lemon, producing a rounded drink that settles into a mellow finish without losing definition. Ocean Fog, built on gin and citrus, shifts visually as it is stirred; but the appeal lies in its clean structure and measured acidity. Golden Ash blends dark rum with pineapple juice, lime and egg white, resulting in a drink with restrained tropical notes. The bar also leans into smoky cocktails, where subtle wood and char notes are used to add structure.

The food menu is compact and considered, designed to accompany rather than compete with the drinks. Seafood features prominently. Crispy calamari arrives well seasoned, the coastal spices lending warmth without masking the freshness of the squid. Butter garlic shrimp, paired with grilled millet bread, offers richness offset by a crisp, hearty base. The BBQ cilantro marinated pomfret is gently smoked, with a tomato sauce that complements the fish. Vegetarian options hold their ground. Creamy wild mushrooms on sourdough toast feel indulgent without excess, while charred broccoli with harissa glaze and a tahini cloud offers complexity through layering.

The Lighthouse Bar reads the room differently as the day slips into dusk. The space shifts from an unhurried daytime setting to a more considered mood after dusk, where tone matters more than spectacle. “We see this as a destination, not a stopover,” Biswas says. “It is for travellers, locals and anyone who values design, sound and a well-made drink.”

The Lighthouse Bar operates through the day, from 11am till midnight.