IPL and chill

Cricket is a much-revered game in this country and every match is celebrated like a festival. One sees this happening with Indian Premier League (IPL) matches as well.

Though one would give anything to watch the IPL finale live, not everyone is lucky enough to get tickets to this much-awaited game. Even if you do get your hands on the tickets, you will still have to brave traffic, crowds, heat and humidity in order to watch the match in the stadium. But, worry not, for city cafes and restaurants are all set to make the finale match viewing experience pleasurable and enjoyable. On May 27, several eateries in the city will offer irresistible screening-cum-eating offers. From combo offers on beers and cocktails to a variety of finger foods, eateries are going the extra mile to serve up energy-packed spreads fit for the exuberant fan.

For Miten Shah, co-founder of The Studds, it’s about giving sports fans an unforgettable experience. “Our foremost intention is to give patrons the best sports viewing experience, while also treating themselves to good food,” says Miten. Talking about what is in store for patrons, he says, “We have a lot of exciting activities happening, such as Spin the Wheel. If you win the game, you get free gift hampers for food, drinks and shopping vouchers on big fashion brands. The shopping vouchers are sometimes almost equal to the bill value, which means your meal for the night is free!”

For Nau Se Barah, however, which is another restaurant presenting IPL match-related offers, it is about letting patrons enjoy the experience of getting together over a match screening. “These activities are incentives for customers to come over and have a good time. They get to soak in the euphoria that surrounds a live cricket game,” says Bhavya Raju, the founder of the joint. Watching the match in the restaurant brings along perks such as sampling different beers and starters and swaying to the rhythms of an in-house DJ, who will perform during breaks.

Nayan Shah, owner of Drifters Brewing Co., talks about what they have to offer: “One can play a Super Pong game, where patrons get to compete against other tables and win a complimentary beer pitcher. They can also choose a team they wish to support and get a free shot every time that team takes a wicket or hits a six,” he says.

For the ultimate viewing experience, the restaurants have screens that are around 135 inches, Bose sound systems and luxury seating. It is this ambience, which allows one to watch a match up close that draws in the IPL fan. Talking about why he enjoys watching match screenings, Naman Mutha, an ardent cricket fan, says, “Matches are fun to watch when you’re sitting in a cool space, surrounded by fellow fans. When you're in a stadium, the ground is so huge that you hardly get to see the players’ expressions of their moves. But, in in-house screenings, I get to see every move.” Rashmi Sinha, another cricket fan, prefers watching match screenings as well. She says, “The atmosphere in the pub is conducive to interaction. You can walk around and converse with another fan. Plus, you only have to pay for your drink, and not the match,” she jokes.