One of the many sobriquets that holds true for Bengaluru is the tag of being the pub capital of the country. Over the years, as the city expanded and became younger, pubs have also changed from being mere watering holes to emerging as places for performances ranging from comedy shows to live band performances, while some host massive crowds during important cricket and football tournaments. Pubs and breweries in town have continued to draw crowds, despite the social media revolution that has transformed everyone into addicts of the World Wide Web. What are the reasons pubs continue to do well in the city, despite the many distractions the internet holds.
For IT consultant Ramesh Guliani, pubs offer an opportunity to spend quality time with friends, without having to worry about cleaning up or cooking a meal. “I like going to pubs to experience band performances or the occasional comedy show. It helps me catch up with friends. I like to go to places that are known for their food, more than the drink. It is the activity that has become more important than the need to get a drink.”
It is a sentiment that is echoed by Anand Janardhan, one of the co-founders of Vgulp, an aggregator that allows you to be armed with information about watering holes in the city. He says: “I think that microbreweries are pulling the crowds. It is mainly due to peer pressure. Drinking, as we see it, is usually the side agenda. Watching a match, show, catching up with friends or celebrating an occasion are the main agendas.”
He adds: “I would say that the online selves are compelled to meet their online friends physically, at least once in a while, and the profiles of these pubs online help them do so in many interesting ways.”
Carlton Braganza, who manages the Opus chain of restrobars in the city, says: “As the city evolves, the pub culture is also evolving. There are more music performances, stand-up comedy shows and a host of such events. The buzz online ensures that more and more people turn up for these events.”
Behram Siganporia from city band One Night Stand says they’ve noticed this trend a lot since they do a lot of live shows.
“In Bangalore, it’s happening a lot considering it has the tag pub city and it is living up to the name. I think it’s only going to get bigger and better. The idea and mentality of the whole pub culture is picking up. Everyone is interested in catching up after college or work and having a few drinks before heading home. The trend has always been around. But it’s just gotten a little bit more vibrant. Young parents and young working people are a bit more open about going out and chilling.” What does he think social media has to do with it? Behram says: “Social media actually drives it. You meet interesting people online and you want to meet them in person rather than let the interaction remain online. With growth of social media, especially Facebook, the world has become a smaller place. It facilitates the whole idea of meeting in person and what better way to do it than over a drink.”
Sunil Shetty, who manages BFlat, Indiranagar, points out that pubs and restaurants are now part of the online community. “Marketing on social media forms an important part of promoting establishments.” He, however, adds that it’s interesting to see that “even while physically meeting with friends, the digital generation are constantly on their mobile phones communicating with the virtual community. The old days of hanging out with friends at home, parks or even a street corner have disappeared.”
