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An ever-evolving cosmopolitan, the capital of breweries, and the prestigious ‘Silicon Valley of India’ - one can safely say that the city of Bangalore wears many hats. But beyond these terrible cliches and its obvious traffic issues, Bangalore is a city that’s slowly unfolding into a hub of culture, art, and experiences that are unique to the region. As concrete structures come up overnight and vehicles take over the once desolate streets, Bangalore’s old-world charm still manages to remain intact through its decades-old eateries and communities that have watched the city grow into the diverse metropolitan it is today. Not only does the city boast of lovely weather and budding youth population, but it also provides a plethora of opportunities for the young and old, the cautious and the adventurous. From the lush Cubbon Park that hosts not just regular fitness enthusiasts but also those interested in just getting out, meeting new people, and taking in fresh air, to the city’s very own heroes that are making it inclusive for not just people from all walks of life but our beloved furry friends too - Bangalore is bubbling with opportunities.
A new addition to Bangalore’s thriving metropolitan culture is the opulent Hyatt Centric. Located in the heart of the city, on the popular MG Road, Hyatt Centric is the leading hospitality corporation’s latest offering. Complete with a locally-inspired luxurious spa, a fitness centre, and a beautiful pool, Hyatt Centric’s rooms are an enigmatic feat of architecture that manages to capture the local ethos of Bangalore and blend it with Hyatt’s own unique sensibilities. Whether it’s downing signature cocktails at the outdoor ‘Liquid Bar’ or just browsing local magazines, books and artefacts at ‘The Corner’, Hyatt Centric is full of comfortable spaces where one can simply unwind and be themselves. And what makes it even better is the fact that it’s located near some of Bangalore’s most popular areas like Brigade road, Commercial Street, and Cubbon Park.
So really, what other reason does one need to visit Bangalore? Home to many treasured secrets, Bangalore is where you should be if you possess the heart of a globetrotter. And as an ode to the blossoming culture of Bangalore, Homegrown, along with Hyatt, brings to you a comprehensive guide that will take you through the city like never before. Through its quaint tea stalls and buzzing skateparks, its contemporary theatre collectives and iconic dessert parlours. There’s something for every kind of traveller and there’s only one way to find out.
Best Place To Eat At
I. A Warm Cup Of Chai At Sharon Tea Stall
On the bustling roads of Thippasandra is a quaint little tea stall that serves over 100 varieties of tea. From Tulsi to Kashmiri Kahwa tea, Sharon Tea Stall and its owner Mr. Daniel have both been offering a refreshing cup of chai to Bangalore’s residents for over a decade. Open from the early hours in the morning to 10 in the night, Sharon Tea Stall caters to the working class and college crowd as they pick up chai to-go or just hang around while they make conversation with friends. A must-visit spot of the city, Sharon Tea Stall has two more branches across the city and also serves nibbles like Maggi, a local variety of cookies and savoury samosas.
II. An Authentic South Indian Breakfast At Iyengar Bakery
Where: Next to Cool Joint, 4th Block, Jayanagar.
As far as Bangalore’s celebrated sweet spots go, this is one of the very best. Iyengar’s has been around since 1981 and has been dishing out delicious treats for the city’s foodies ever since. They’ve even expanded to various other cities in the country but nothing compares to the delicacies prepared in Iyengar’s Bangalore kitchens. While their Potato bun and pineapple butter cream cake are loved by most, we personally would recommend you to go for their soft marble cake. Even their mawa cake is one of the top picks.
III. Experience A Naga Thali At Zingron
Where: Solitaire, 62, 2nd Floor, 1st A Main, Koramangala 7th Block.
North-East cuisine is slowly carving its own little space into various cities through pop-up shops, festivals at restaurants and chefs whipping up curated dishes on their menus; but Zingron has a spread that’s been around for awhile now. Cue the Naga Thali replete with steamed veggies, pork chilli, pork ribs, pork gravy, dry hot ginger beef/chicken, eronba and spicy rice all served with one chathur. A host of unexpected and delightful flavours you’re definitely going to take home with you.
IV. Head To One Of The Oldest Ice Cream Parlours For Dessert
Where: 89, Kannan Building, MG Road, Bangalore.
Remembered for its basic ice cream flavours––vanilla, chocolate, and raspberry––Lakeview Milk Bar holds the reputation of Bangalore’s most iconic ice cream parlour that has today diversified its menu to include a variety of cakes, burgers, and other nibbles. Once overlooking the Ulsoor lake, the memory of which is still preserved in the parlour’s name, Lakeview is now located on MG road and is frequented by the city’s residents for its age-old flavours and recipes.
Best Things To Do
V. Unwind With A Sensory Deprivation Therapy
Where: Krishna Temple Road (Just Off 100 ft Road), Indiranagar.
Founded by Amitabh Swetta and Vartika Gupta, 1000 Petals is a a sanctuary for meditation, therapy and scientific spirituality. Their Sensory Deprivation therapy involves effortlessly floating in a pod with 10 inches of warm water as you slowly disconnect from the world and instead focus on yourself. A one-of-a-kind experience available in Bangalore, 1000 petals also offers other therapies like Lucia Light Therapy along with mediation and yoga classes held regularly.
Call +919686844770 to make your appointment, and visit their website here.
There’s nothing quite as invigorating as spending a day learning how to make bambikes with India’s first bamboo bike maker - Vijay Sharma. He also doubles up as a furniture designer and carpenter. Sharma made his first bamboo bike way back in 2009 and now regularly holds workshops, with VAWAA, where he not only teaches people how to make eco-friendly bicycle but also discusses urban farming, craft beer and other things that excite him.
Head to the VAWAA site for more information and book your session with Vijay Sharma.
VII. The Cave Skatepark
Where: M.C.E.C.H.S. Layout 1st Phase, RK Hegde Nagar.
Opened in 2015, The Cave Skatepark is where all the cool kids hangout. It’s where children come to sharpen their skateboarding skills. In a collaborative effort between Holystoked and Adidas Originals, The Cave is iconic for the kind of contemporary and niche space it represents. Attracting residents from across the city, this skatepark has been done up by local graffiti artists and is tucked away in North Bangalore close to Jakkur Airfield. They’ve even put in some obstacles as well, to keep it interesting.
Best Things To See
Where: 9c HSR layout 1st a main 6th sector.
A conceptual studio in the form of a big glass house with high ceilings and windows, StudioC9 is a beautiful space that attracts the creative community of Bangalore on a regular basis. Comprising a stylist’s area and a workstation, every single item in the studio is a visual treat and carefully selected by the owners. From hosting gender-bending get-togethers to fictional character-themed parties, StudioC9 is where all unconventional gatherings take place so you should be there too.
You can check out their Facebook page to rent the space or just satisfy your curiosity.
If the words ‘black magic’ don’t send chills down your spine and make you shiver with fright, then you’ll probably enjoy the thrill of visiting this unconventional public space in Bangalore. The Black Magic Garden is only second in line after the city’s first-of-its-kind Brain Museum. From a full living cursing tree that is covered in broken bangles, eggs and overdue bills to an actual priestess conducting ‘cleansing’ rituals to rinse people of their sins, you’ll be surprised by the kind of things here. Sometimes referred to as Karnataka’s ‘Sleepy Hollow’, this patch of land also has its own eerie history of some bizarre events like human sacrifices and murders.
X. Goobes Book Republic For Every Kind Of Bibliophile
Where: No 11, Church Street, Near KC Das Sweet Shop.
Packed shelves, the aroma of old books, and a book-lover or two present at any given point of time, Goobe’s in Bangalore is an underground haven for all kinds of bibliophiles. From old comic books to thick Tagore novels to limited editions, Goobe’s houses a unique collection of some of the rarest, most unheard pieces of literature. Be prepared to run into someone and lose yourself in an unexpected literary debate. One of the few independent bookstores in Bangalore, Goobe’s offers a wide range of literary genres. Also, if you’re unusually fond of Science-fiction, just like the owner Mr. Ravi, then make sure to visit this bookstore for some hearty conversations and new friends.
XI. A Brain Museum For When The Zombie Apocalypse Actually Happens
Where: NIHMANS Brain Hospital. Just east of NIHMANS Bus Stop, Hosur Main Road/ Dairy Circle Road.
If the zombie apocalypse were to actually happen, this is the last place you’d want to be. In a very morbid setting, at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bangalore, almost 300 brain specimens are on display. From brains of schizophrenics to sufferers of strokes and HIV-infected brains, the ‘artefacts’ here come in all sizes and types. The idea, according to the conceptualiser Dr. S. K. Shankar, is to educate visitors, about prevention measures and treatments available for about 70 percent of the showcased diseases. And if that’s not all, at the end of a tour of this museum you even get to hold a human brain in your hands! It is free for public viewing on weekdays and Saturdays between 10 am and 3 pm.
XII. Kachra Mane - A House Made Entirely Out Of Trash
A literal example of “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”, Kachra Mane is a fascinating feat of architecture - a house made entirely out of trash. Built by GV Dasarathi, Kachra Mane is an embodiment of Dasarathi’s moto of ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rethink’. From book shelves and staircases made out of discarded pinewood packing cases to bathroom fittings taken from demolished buildings, this iconic structure is extremely relevant in the modern times and a stellar example of how responsible, conscientious living is the need of the hour and conviction is all one needs to make it happen.
Best Things To Experience
XIII. Movie Screenings Under The Night Sky With Maraa
A projector screen, speakers, good company and an open terrace is all one needs to maximise the snuggle potential in Bangalore’s already established cuddle-weather. Maraa, a media and arts collective, regularly hosts screenings of independent movies on their office terrace. With titles drawn from across the cinematic spectrum, each film they screen is intended to highlight an aspect of Indian society that they believe needs to be a part of everyday discussion. The screening is often followed by Skype conversations directly with the director of the film.
XIV. An Inclusive Night Life Experience For The Differently-Abled
As one of the few organisations that’s working for the differently-abled population of the city, Inclov organises parties and meet-ups across Bangalore. The idea is to create a safe space for the differently-abled and removed the stigma when it comes to dating within the community. What started off as an inclusive matchmaking platform has successfully turned into a real life experience. One that breaks all acceptable barriers and provides hope for a more inclusive and friendly social environment.
You can visit their Facebook page for more information about these meet-ups.
XV. Sandbox Collective
While some find joy in reading books, other find it more entertaining to watch the myriad elements of a beautifully written play come to life. But not everyone has the time to actually watch a play so Sandbox Collective, a Bangalore-based artists’ collective, makes performance art more accessible by bringing the theatre to the people. Whether its your living room, office, basement, garden, or rooftop - “We will take it anyplace you gather!”, is their motto. And we hear it loud and clear. From a choreographic exploration of topics like homosexual intimacy to a comedy performance that aims to battle complicit misogyny, Sandbox Collective’s performances are diverse and socially relevant.
Feature image credit: The Cave Skatepark (L) and Sandbox Collective (R)
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