SALUD IN THE SHADOWS

Vijay Kumar and Maha K. have crafted a speakeasy where Japanese Zen aesthetics meet cave-like intimacy, creating an immersive journey where design elements speak in hushed tones yet command attention

- Kashish Kaushal

Behind a very demure vinyl and cigar shop in Greater Kailash-2, Somewhere Nowhere, a speakeasy bar signifies a choreographed revelation unveiling itself at a slow yet steady pace. Picture those secret bars in Hollywood movies that emerged in the 1920s Prohibition era—where whispers of passwords unlocked nights of forbidden jamboree. Hidden behind unassuming facades, these dens defied the law with dim lights, strong drinks, and an air of exclusivity.

New Delhi now harbours a modern heir to this legacy. Christened ‘Whispers in Motion’ and designed by Maha K. and Vijay Kumar of Design Doodle studio, this 9,00 sq ft speakeasy channels that rebellious spirit into a sensory escape, ticking every box of the genre’s blueprint while crafting a fresh narrative of Zen calm and cave-like mystery.

“The design takes its cue from the calm serenity of a Japanese zen garden, paired with the raw, untamed spirit of a cave. These two worlds, one tranquil and the other rugged, blend harmoniously to create an environment that feels simultaneously meditative and mysterious,” shares Maha.