Bangladesh is a majority-Muslim country and alcohol is not openly served in most establishments. Licensed clubs — the Dhaka Club, the Gulshan Club — and some international hotels serve alcohol to members and guests. For most visitors, coffee culture is the relevant category, and Dhaka's café scene has expanded substantially in the last decade.
Dhanmondi is the best area for coffee and tea shops. North End Coffee Roasters (multiple branches) serves serious espresso and single-origin filter coffee — a welcome development in a city where Nescafé was the default for a long time. Parka in Dhanmondi is popular for its rooftop seating and Bengali-influenced menu. Urban Tea Lounge near Gulshan 2 is reliable for afternoon tea.
The university area around Shahbagh has the cheapest tea in the city — 10 taka a glass, served in small glasses with condensed milk, at pavement stalls open from early morning. This is where most Dhaka conversations happen, and it is a reasonable place to sit for an hour and watch the city.