Taking Tea to New Heights

TURNING TEA from a dry page in history to a lifestyle drink, Cha Bar is the first of its kind urban contemporary space that created a rage in Kolkata in year 2000. Cha Bar is Priti Paul’s brainchild backed by generations of Apeejay Surrendra group’s experience in tea plantation business. Today, Cha Bar offers this experience at Oxford Bookstores across multiple stores in Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi.

BW Hotelier spoke to Swagat Sengupta, CEO Oxford Bookstore Pvt Ltd. “The concept was expanded pan India integrated into Oxford Bookstores and customers loved the experience of being able to browse at leisure, leafing through the books of their choice, over a cup of tea from the wide selection available at the Cha Bar or simply unwinding with friends sipping the rejuvenating beverage, iced or piping hot,” he said.

Sengupta feels that the elaborated tea menu with over 160 varieties creates a pure joy for the customers while reading a book by their favorite author, “whether one prefers a rich, full-bodied, strong flavour, or a light fragrant taste, Cha Bar offers a wide and enviable choice. Cha Bar believes that there is indeed nothing quite like a good cup of tea and a plate full of awesome food so every cup of blend and every dish of food it serves has journeyed, be it from the Dhabas in India or from across the Globe from other cultures,” he explained.

“Customers love and appreciate the stylish and relaxing ambience of Cha Bar, that can make hours go by browsing through our huge collection of books while one is spoilt for choice with an assortment of Teas blended and prepared with precision, and after exhaustive research, with personalized and informed service,” he added.

Speaking about the footfall, Sengupta says that there has been a change in demographics over the years. “Besides corporates, college students, travellers and book lovers it’s lovely to see even the elderly and families enjoying their cup of tea at Cha Bar. India being primarily a tea drinking nation, its delightful to see coffee lovers embracing Tea here,” he said.

To complement the collection of Teas, Cha Bar offers A la Carte savouries and has recently added 15 new offerings to its menu, “The latest range of exquisite food showcased promises to give consumers a whole new experience and satiate their never ending craving for delicious flavorful food paired with a variety of tea,” he said.