Bangalore cafes offer more than good food and music

A lot can happen over coffee and by this we don’t mean dates, deals or stress-busting gossip sessions. Cafés in Bangalore are fast turning into entertainment lounges and have even gone beyond providing Wi-fi facility or cozy corners. From games, music to books… name it and the cafés have it. By making games and books accessible, cafes have not only found a way to remain a tad bit different from each other but also facilitated a constructive way in which people can pass their time while waiting for their orders. We take a tour around the city and zero in on coffee shops that offer you more than just food for thought…

I am game
What’s life without games seems to be the idea with which Boca Grande, a popular hangout in Koramangala, functions. Why else would they have an exclusive gaming area we wonder? The café is ideal for birthday parties as not only does it have good food in store for you but also a game zone that has something for everyone. From snooker, carom, air hockey to action packed video games, the hot spot promises you a fun and unforgettable experience. Lazer tag, a group activity that is made available at the premises is something that you have to give a try. Also don’t think twice before tagging along your little ones for while you catch up with your friends over coffee, they have a host of motion sensor colouring and quiz games to keep them occupied.

Mind games anyone?
Cuppa is one café that needs no introduction. The Indiranagar outlet is among their most popular ones and why not when it offers more than just yummy snacks and coffee. Says Archana of Cuppa, “Cafés are now an integral part of our culture. They are even being considered as an alternate workplace. So we need to attach a certain amount of seriousness to them. Deals are cut here and interviews are held. So people who come here are of a certain stature. To suit their sensibilities we have intelligent games such as scrabble and chess. This way they get to spend their waiting time constructively.” Customers get to play these games for free. The outlet also invites experts to talk about popular games such as cricket and foot ball during world cup and other popular tournaments. Wi-fi is also provided free of cost at the Indiranagar outlet. Some of the other Cuppa outlets provide Uno cards as well.

Happy memories
Beanstalk has more to it than chicken cheese sticks, lime soda and cappuccino. The well-designed coffee shop is popular among foodies and gaming enthusiasts alike as it has PlayStation and Xbox zones. Apart from the gaming area it is the Foosball table that is always crowded. “This game is great fun and I have made several friends over foosball games,” says Athreya, a regular at the Kammanahalli outlet.

For the book worms
What better than books to go with coffee? Nothing is what the regulars at Flamenco, one of Jayanagar’s most popular coffee shops, will tell you. Books on travel, food, philosophy and automobile are part of the wide collection that the café owns. “On and off we provide popular comics as well. Chetan Bhagat’s novels are also much in demand. In fact having books has worked in our advantage as people keep coming back just to finish reading the books that they would have started reading here,” says Abhijith, the café-in-charge. And if you are not too much of a book person, there is always the Scrabble or Uno for you and friends to play while the coffee is brewing.

The word power
Gourmet food is definitely the selling point of Thulp, a popular hangout in Koramangala. What makes you want to go to Thulp is however just not the food or their up to the mark service. The board game options that they provide also ensure that you have a fun time at the cafe. So don’t hesitate to ask for Chinese chess or Scrabble when you go there. A host of card games are also available. There is also a book section. Young adults in particular have a wide variety to choose from. Old English songs playing in the background will add to your experience.