Inspired by the tradition of crafting the perfect cocktail, Pass Code Only (PCO) is a unique cocktail bar situated in Vasant Vihar, D-Block Market, South Delhi, India. Embracing its mysterious name, this speakeasy-style bar allows entry only with a closely guarded passcode. Over the past five years, PCO has received numerous accolades and awards from across the globe. However, the bar refuses to rest on its laurels and has recently introduced a new, intriguing menu featuring 12 cocktails made with unconventional ingredients such as apple, coconut, bubble gum, raw milk, and even MSG.
To create this new menu, PCO enlisted the help of Naughty Naughty studio, a design studio based in Mumbai. The studio delved into the history of storytelling, particularly focusing on Indian miniature paintings from 999 AD to the 16th Century. These paintings, depicting themes of war, laughter, community gatherings, and physical intimacy, served as the inspiration for the menu design.
The menu itself is presented as a forbidden Royal Mela, a modern interpretation of an Indian village fair in the style of miniature paintings. Each guest in the painting is portrayed on a quest to discover a new ingredient, adding an element of mystery and excitement to the experience.
Guests are encouraged to explore the menu further with a magnifying glass, uncovering intricate details such as a poppy seed field symbolizing craziness in love, Eve discovering apples, an Indian Popeye consuming chyawanprash, and a bubble gum hot air balloon. This whimsical and unconventional approach to mixology is a deliberate choice by PCO to create a unique and memorable experience for its patrons.