Lighthouse Bar is open at The Park Visakhapatnam

In its new avatar, The Lighthouse Bar enters the space previously occupied by Someplace Else Bar, a venue that has shaped Visakhapatnam’s after-hours culture for over a decade. The transition was not accelerated. The interior design took three months. The result is a pub that resists nostalgia while acknowledging its past, choosing restraint and detail over spectacle.

From my seat, geography does a lot 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. Inside, the design stays true to its theme without becoming fashionable. Nautical references appear in textures and tones rather than symbols. Warm amber lighting plays against wood, polished metal and curved lines that subtly echo nautical hues. The mood is calm and unhurried, the kind of room that encourages conversation to find its own pace.

The park’s general manager, Jaideep Biswas, describes the intention clearly. “The goal was to create a pub that felt 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 that’s the lighting, the music, or what’s in the glass and the food.”

Along one wall, a secret screen displays a ring of coastal images: slow-moving waves, shifting horizons, and lighthouse beams cutting through the dusk, adding movement to the room without competing for attention, just like the sea behind the glass.

This attention to detail is most evident in the beverage program. The cocktail menu is created around balanced choices and sound ingredients. Regional ingredients are carefully used. The kaffir lime brings lift without sharpness, the coconut adds texture without extra sweetness, and the jaggery is handled with a light hand. The Floating Lantern combines whisky, honey and fresh lemon, creating a rounded drink that settles into the finish without losing its definition. Ocean Fog, based on gin and citrus, changes visually as you stir it; But its 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, using light wood and charcoal notes to add structure.

The menu is compact and thoughtful, designed to accompany the drinks rather than compete with them. Seafood features prominently. The crispy calamari arrives well-seasoned, and the coastal spices add warmth without masking the freshness of the squid. Butter and garlic shrimp, served with grilled millet bread, offer a richness offset by a crisp, flavorful base. The pomfret is marinated in coriander and gently grilled cilantro, with a tomato sauce that complements the fish. Vegetarian options are holding their ground. Creamy wild mushrooms on sourdough toast feel indulgent without being overpowering, while charred broccoli with a harissa topping and a cloud of tahini offers complexity through the layers.

Lighthouse Bar reads the room differently as the day sets in at dusk. The space shifts from the lazy daytime environment to a more considered mood after dusk, where tone is more important than scene. “We look at this as a destination, not a stopover,” says Biswas. “It’s for travelers, locals and anyone who appreciates design, sound and well-made drinks.”

The Lighthouse Bar is open all day from 11am until midnight.