The dim red bulb lighting the staircase in a decrepit looking building was not the most encouraging sign when we went looking for Rumour, the new speakeasy that opened its well-hidden doors in the capital. By now, we had become sceptical of every bar that dares to call itself a speakeasy, while proudly displaying its logo out-front. And even though Google Maps showed us exactly where Rumour is, we still thought twice before stepping inside that shady-looking staircase.

Rumour also holds the distinction of being a wine-forward bar, a rarity when it comes to cocktail bars, especially speakeasies in Delhi. The germ of the idea was sown in founder Rhea Parekh Jain’s mind — a graduate from New York’s Parsons School of Design — when she visited a French vineyard while on holiday with her family a couple of years ago. Her interest in wine and winemaking led her to becoming certified in WSCT Level-3. Rumour brings her love for wine and memories of New York’s after-work bar culture to life. Her husband and co-founder Nischay Jain handles the operational heavy lifting and paperwork, allowing Rhea to spearhead the creative vision.

Our apprehensions were laid to rest as we stepped inside the striking space designed by Sussanne Khan’s The Charcoal Project — the intimate 55-seater lounge masterfully blending a rustic New York loft aesthetic with quirky luxury. The mix-and-match of distinct chandeliers and customisable mood lighting — cranked up on weekdays so connoisseurs can appreciate the colour of their pour, and dimmed down for high-energy weekends — has already become a massive hit for girls’ nights out and private bookings within just a few weeks of opening.

The beverage programme, crafted in collaboration with Tullee Ho, is split right down the middle, with 50% of the menu dedicated to “grape to glass” wine-based cocktails. Rather than overcomplicating things with dozens of ingredients, the bar reinvents familiar favourites with a wine twist. With Picante being the popular choice, we went for their best-selling tequila-based Vineyard Picante that left a distinct aftertaste of Saccharomyces wine grapes, while the Pink Harvest elegantly married gin with rosé — this one’s for those who like their drinks on the sweeter side.

A cold mulled wine? The bar offers an intriguing Rumour Rouge which is a refreshing, cold take on spiced mulled wine. Definitely worth a try! For purists, Rhea has curated a wine list sourced entirely from family-owned, small-batch international vineyards across Italy, France, and beyond, each carrying its own distinct backstory. “I want people to appreciate what they’re drinking and so, every wine in the menu comes with a story,” she shared. Whether you pick a Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone 2023 from Rhone, France for its dark berries, lavender and peppery spice or a Merryvale Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 from Carneros, USA with ripe blackberries, dark chocolate, graphite, and warm cedar notes — every pour feels intentional, a far cry from the mass-produced labels dominating most menus in the city.

The food menu, designed by consultant chef Param Luthra, was purposefully built around these wine notes. Easily shareable small plates such as the Korean chicken tacos with a gochujang-wasabi kick, the salsa macha prawn served with rice crackers and the crunchy zucchini fries that come with a side of basil Greek ranch ensure that they complement, rather than distract from the star of the show. What works for Rumour is its disinterest in trying too hard and keeping it simple. Definitely worth a climb up those stairs.

Rumour is located in Basant Lok Market.A meal for two costs ₹3,000. For reservations, and location, contact 8735928733.