JOIN USBangalore cafes are turning into creative hangouts and represent more than just a simple caffeine brew. Cafes like Claytopia, Art Blend Cafe, Cafe Max, Om Made Cafe, DYU Art Cafe and Coffee on Canvas have become popular amongst Bangaloreans for more than just their drinks.
In such cafes, people have the opportunity to engage in activities like making clay works, paint or reading a good book while sipping on a hot cup of liquid.
DYU Art Cafe has a very ethnic look, which takes you back to the 60s, with its red oxide flooring and brick roof tops. Some of the most prolific names in the art world have their works exhibited in the little cafe.
Om Made Cafe provides a place of serenity as you can catch a glimpse of the sunset from the deck. Courtyard Cafe is a pet-friendly cafe with art work on its tables and chairs. Leaping Windows has an amazing comic books library where you can indulge your geeky side anytime.
“Bistro Claytopia, which is attached to Claytopia, is a space where people from all walks of life can come, sit relax and paint the various ceramic ware that we have to offer. At times, we have a potter who comes in and you can try your hand at the pottery wheel.
We also conduct various creative workshops from time to time,” says Fathima Rizwan, partner of Bistro Claytopia.
“The ceramic pieces are called ‘bisqueware’. When anyone comes into Claytopia, they can choose from a variety of objects like a starfish magnets, piggybanks to mugs. The studio provides the under glaze colours, which one uses to paint the ‘bisqueware’ with.
Along with that, we also provide one with stencils, stamps and essential designs. Once finished, our team glazes and fires it for the person and it is ready to be taken home,” says Kavitha Nambiar, partner of Claytopia. The place is also ideal for birthday celebrations.
Coffee on Canvas is a quaint place that takes you on a colourful journey. Each table has art work placed under a glass top. “We have some good collection of books and games like Scrabble, Brainvita and more. We also have art work for sale, and sketches and painting displayed by the customers and other artists,” says Kripilani, owner of Coffee on Canvas. Art Blend Cafe creates a space for artists and coffee lovers.
“It’s the ideal place for meeting up with friends, spending quality time with those you love, learning a new craft, painting with a caffeine kick or simply to dig into that book you have been wanting to finish from a long time. We plan to have a dedicated space that will run arts and crafts workshops covering jewellery making, clay modelling, bunting, origami, embossing and more,” says Archana, the owner.
The cafe hosts workshops on creative hobbies and promotes artists and their work. Aisha, a regular at DYU Art Cafe, says, “It is an amazing place to hang out and also indulge in some creative work.” Another regular, Leon, says, “It’s fun to play games and chat over a coffee. Games like Brainvita remind me of my younger days.”