There’s a door in Hyderabad that doesn’t really look like a door at all. Behind a bookshelf lies Oxymorons, a speakeasy worth gatekeeping, but too good not to share. Step inside and you’re met with red ambient lighting, rock and roll nostalgia, and a buzz of voices that make the cosy space feel alive. It’s compact, yes, but designed for conversation as much as cocktails – music loud enough to sing along to, yet soft enough to chat over, with plush seating that tempts you to linger. Interestingly, this place is a lab by day, bar by night.
During the day, every cocktail is tested, perfected, and served with housemade syrups that turn classics into playful twists. There’s Clearly Misunderstood, a fiery riff on the Picante; Familiar Strangers, with Dewar’s Japanese Whiskey, jackfruit and coconut; and Organized Chaos, a papaya-and-jasmine spin on the Old Fashioned. Brave hearts can try Loud Whisper (vodka, Wai Wai masala, and chicken broth) and Random Order (dark rum, banana soy, and lime). The rest of the drinks menu swings between bold experiments and comforting staples, the kind that started the cocktail craze globally. With every sip, it’s clear the mixologists love their craft.
Food follows the same philosophy with familiar flavours and clever flips. We went for the Feta Mousse with Red Pepper and Togarshi, Oxy’s Take On Nachos (you’ll want it twice, like we did), Fish Avakaya, Crispy Lotus with Kaffir Lime Gunpowder, Curry Podi Fries, Fluffy Egg Sando, and Spicy Noodles with Wontons. Sharp flavours, quick service, no fuss. As for the name of the place? Fittingly contradictory. Oxymorons breaks away from the typical Hyderabad bar scene – experimental yet welcoming, intimate yet buzzing. The team, proudly calling themselves “morons” and go out of their way to make sure you feel at home, often with founders themselves guiding you through the menu.
