INTIMATE BARS, BOLD COCKTAILS

Bars are getting more intimate, and cocktails are no longer an afterthought

- Ravi Raj

As Bengaluru's perennially overcast sky gives way to light showers, the retractable roof at the Reservoire is set into motion, slowly enclosing the open courtyard to shield the droplets from dampening your spirits, literally. The mood is gloomy, yet intimate. The setting is artistic and cosy with just the right amount of rustic charm emanating from the polished pine wood panelling, reminiscent of the bars from the Victorian era. "We have had a lot of influences from London and other European cities," affirms Prathik Shetty, one of the co-founders of this establishment. Nestled in a rather serene stretch of hustling Indiranagar, the Reservoire embodies the evolving trend in the F&B landscape, where a large set of informed clientele now seeks intimacy and warmth in their dining and drinking experiences. Samarth Shetty, another co-founder of the Reservoire, tells how he wanted the cocktail bar to resemble a museum rather than a typical bar. "We wanted to build a place where people come for drinks but stay to admire the art and verdant nature that surrounds them here," he quips.