Crowded House

Suman,who saves up a chunk of her earnings to purchase books at Oxford every month,has been happy with the movie screenings at the store. “The first screening I attended was that of Madame Bovary,couple of months back. While I enjoyed the company of like-minded people,reading up on the movie subject also became easy,” she says.

The concept of using spaces for multiple purposes seems to have caught up even with restaurateurs. For foodies cum shopaholics,the Olive Bar & Kitchen,Khar,has a regular flea market once a week. “Beautiful clothes and good food make the world go round,” says Abha Saxena,a regular there.

But lounges are not just happy with the mundane,it seems. That is why Zenzi Mills,Parel,held an art exhibition last week. For Matan Schabracq,the owner,Zenzi’s doppelganger act was a mere union of food and art. “Mixing two things,for instance food and art,makes it a richer experience for the audience. And you have more than one reason to visit the place,” says Schabracq. Art exhibitions at cafes are also on the rise,thanks to the growing popularity of these joints. “Art galleries have the exclusivity tag. There are laymen who appreciate art but don’t quite head to the galleries. Whereas many people do buy art pieces from here,” says Riyaaz Amlani,owner of Mocha.

Most people may opine that night clubs and lounges are meant to play music,make us dance or just chill with friends but Blue Frog,at Lower Parel,believes in converting the night club into a place of learning dance as well. Kaytee Namgyal of Salsa India Congress,who conducts regular salsa workshops at the club,feels this is the best way to advertise a particular dance form. “You cannot earn a dance degree at these workshops. But we help you familiarise with the dance form,educate you with the basic steps and generate interest,while you continue to hang out with friends,” says Namgyal.

For those who require intellectual stimulation,head to Mumbai Times Café for the short film screening or poetry slams that are conducted fortnightly. “Non-clubby concepts like structured dance classes,short film screenings or poetry readings,generally always introduce fresh audiences who might never have ventured to the bar or club before. For instance,several patrons who show up for Bombay Elektrik Projekt’s Monday Shorts (short film screenings) have never been to Mumbai Times Café before. “The establishment inevitably prospers because in seven cases out of 10,we’ve seen patrons return not just on Mondays,but on another day,” says Sudeip Nair,partner,Bombay Elektrik Project.

Yes,you can have it all.

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