Juju Cantina in Kalyani Nagar turns three with new food and Lotería-themed cocktail menus

Kalyani Nagar, October 30, 2026: Juju Cantina, Pune's first agave bar, has completed three years. To mark the occasion, the bar has introduced a new food menu and a new cocktail menu inspired by Lotería. The anniversary is being celebrated with a four-day programme called Fiesta Loca, running from October 29 to November 1, 2026.

When Juju opened three years ago, it was a small, intimate space with 50 seats. The experience was not limited to the menu. A bell at the door, a distinctive style of welcome, bar rituals and the dramatic serving of signature shots gave the place its own identity. At a time when a drinking experience was often judged by the drinks alone, Juju Cantina made the way they were served and shared part of the story.

Over the years, some dishes and cocktails became the bar's signatures. The Juju Bomb, served in a distinctive way, became a signature experience, while the Juju Picante and Grapefruit Paloma found their place. Among the food, Lamb Birria Tacos, Juju Fried Chicken, Corn Ribs and Guacamole became familiar orders. Tres Leches and Churros featured among the desserts.

Building on this foundation, Juju Cantina is now moving towards being a bigger Mexican cantina. The old favourites will stay. A new food programme by Chef Partners Hanoze Shroff and Parikshit Ghalwadkar has also arrived. The new cocktail menu has been created under Bar Maestro Sarthak Bisht. It is inspired by popular ideas and well-known characters from Mexican culture. Lotería is a traditional Mexican game of picture cards, which adds an element of chance and discovery to guests' choice of drinks.

The drinks combine tequila, mezcal, house-made preparations and unusual flavours, with agave at the centre of the programme. Mi Corazón has gin, Campari, raspberry, balsamic, basil and white chocolate. La Bruja has mezcal, tequila blanco, house-made crème de menthe and angelica tincture. Noche Eléctrica combines tequila blanco with blueberry, jalapeño jam and matcha air.

The new food menu also stresses a range of flavours and textures. The dishes are designed to match the cocktail programme and not feel separate from it. Highlights include the Tenderloin Carpaccio (with spicy herb sauce, puffed black rice and Grana Padano), Broccoli a la Plancha (with pineapple mole, agave glaze, black garlic and feta) and Ancho Chicken Steak (with ají panca and fresh cabbage slaw).

According to Chef Partner Hanoze Shroff, the menu was conceived with food and cocktails together. Shroff says, "For this menu, we treated food and cocktails as part of the same conversation. A dish can bring out a flavour in a drink, balance its intensity or bring a completely different texture to the experience. We have kept some favourites that guests already know and want, and added new dishes alongside. The aim is for food to be an essential part of the evening, whether someone comes for a full meal or wants something good with a cocktail."

Fiesta Loca has four themed evenings. On Thursday, October 29, Noche de Tres (Night of Three) was held, in which Juju Cantina's three Maestros, Bar Maestro Sarthak Bisht and Chef Partners Hanoze Shroff and Parikshit Ghalwadkar, presented the new food and cocktail menus. On Friday, October 30, Noche de Amigos (Night of Friends) will have drinking games, a DJ and interactive experiences. On Saturday, October 31, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) will feature a special selection of Patrón cocktails and loud music. On Sunday, November 1, the celebration ends with Noche de Sangria (Sangria Night), with two kinds of bottomless sangria or pours to choose from.

For co-founder Karan Khilnani, the third anniversary is a chance to reflect on why guests keep coming back, and also to give them new reasons to visit. Khilnani says, "After three years, the greatest joy is when people return for the things they have come to associate with Juju Cantina, whether it is a particular cocktail, a favourite dish or an evening they can count on. We always wanted Juju Cantina to be a place where people could unwind, discover something new and make memories. Fiesta Loca is our way of celebrating with the people who have been part of that journey, and of giving them new reasons to return."

Co-founder Vijeta Singh says, "Over the past three years, small rituals, familiar orders, collaborations and celebrations have become as much a part of Juju Cantina's identity as the menu. For this anniversary, we wanted to bring all of these together, celebrate what guests have built, and offer new experiences that feel true to the thinking behind Juju Cantina."