It seemed like “the” perfect thing to do when one wanted to catch up with a friend over a cup of coffee. Unfortunately, it may be the last of a few cuppas you’ll cherish as various coffee houses and a known pizza joint have applied for the Excise Department’s new L-4 (D) license, which will permit them to serve beer and wine.
So, if this is the end of coffee culture in the city or unfolding of a new trend, only time will tell, but coffee lovers in the city are not happy losing their space.
Says Nikhar Berry, advocate with the high court, “There’s certain exuberance about a coffee shop. The colours, comfortable couch, the sound of the coffee machine and sipping the yummy frothy coffee, while chatting with friends. It has a distinct charm that comes alive over a cup of coffee. I believe that the authenticity of a coffee shop should not be adulterated with anything. Just let liquor be at bars and let coffee stay in coffee shops.”
Agrees Gaurav Gera, who wonders why coffee and drinks should be mixed as it’s not feasible to club the two. A coffee shop is a more private corner, a meeting point for lovers, for people who like to while away their time and want to be in their own world.
He says, “I am not in favour of this. These are casual places where serving drinks would only make it a ‘different’ zone. Drinks and coffee don’t gel. Both give us joy, but the degree varies. Pubs are loud, crowded, noisy, whereas a coffee shop has a quietness about it.”
Mehak Chadha, BBA student, believes an open space like a coffee or a pizza joint will prevent many from sneaking into holed up places to drink. “It’s an unfolding of a new trend and in time it may prove to be good, especially for youngsters who can’t drink at home and look for places to drink. In a coffee shop and pizza corner, they would not feel uncomfortable. More so, we can’t point fingers at youth all the time. Give us a chance to show we are responsible.”
But coffee shops and pizza joints are meant for everybody from families to professionals. One can’t say if this move will adversely affect their business.
Avers Shiv Ahuja, professional, “Generally, we see many families sitting at pizza joints, while cafes predominantly are youngsters’ dens. So, it may be perfectly fine for a cafe to have an ‘alcohol area’ like a ‘smoker’s lounge’, but as far as pizza joints are concerned, they’re losing a lion’s share of their dine-in business. And frankly, I don’t think it’s too smart an idea because if I have to go for a drink, I’ll go to a pub, why go to a cafe? Ruins the entire feel of a cafe. Plus, women may think twice before going there.”