CONVERSATION ROOM, KOLKATA
From Features Desk
There’s something deeply comforting about
finding a place that allows you to breathe, think,
and be yourself without any pressure. That’s
exactly what Conversation Room on
Chowringhee Road turned out to be for me. A
bar, yes-but not in the conventional sense. This
wasn’t just about drinks or food or music. It was
about people. It was about moments. It was
about presence.
Right opposite the Nehru Museum, the facade
was subtle, almost whispering to step in than
shouting for attention. And once I did, it felt like
the kind of place that might as well have existed
in my imagination-an unpretentious cocoon in the
heart of the city.
The Vibe: Where Comfort Meets Global Cool
What struck me first was how beautifully intimate the space felt. At 3,000 square feet, it’s not small, but it’s not trying to be grand either. With just 88 covers, you get a sense that every seat matters.
What struck me first was how beautifully intimate the space felt. At 3,000 square feet, it’s not small, but it’s not trying to be grand either. With just 88 covers, you get a sense that every seat matters.
It’s designed like a neighbourhood bar
but carries the soul of a global cocktail
destination. Think Brooklyn meets Bandra-but in
Kolkata.
The interiors are warm and inviting with wooden
finishes, understated lighting and eclectic music
that flowed through the room without hijacking
your conversation. There is no deliberate design
statement here and yet the entire space speaks of
intentionality.
You’ll find couples on quiet dates, groups of
friends lost in laughter and even solo patrons
sipping slowly, like the world outside doesn’t
exist. It reminded me that human-to-human
connection is not extinct. We’re just rusty.
Cocktails That Don’t Talk Down To You
The cocktail menu, curated by Countertop India, carries a simple philosophy: sophistication without snobbery. I started with the Great Listener-a cold brew Irish whiskey blend with Baileys and hot cream. Just the right amount of bold and cold.
The cocktail menu, curated by Countertop India, carries a simple philosophy: sophistication without snobbery. I started with the Great Listener-a cold brew Irish whiskey blend with Baileys and hot cream. Just the right amount of bold and cold.
Next, I sipped on Smooth Talker-a layered play of
Scotch, caramel liqueur, cacao and bitters. The
name matched the experience: smooth,
persuasive, memorable.
What I appreciated the most was how the menu
didn’t try too hard to impress. Each drink had
character but none screamed for attention. The
highball options, served with in-house flavored
sodas were perfect palate cleansers between
conversations.
The Wine Wall was another quiet highlight. It
demystified the intimidating world of wine with
just ten, well-curated bottles, handpicked by the
team. For someone who finds wine menus
overwhelming, this felt quite refreshing.
Food That Feeds Your Soul, Not Your
Instagram
Chef Saurabh Udinia has created a food program that celebrates “ugly delicious” without trying to be clever. There’s no smoke, foam, or dramatic plating here. Just good, solid dishes that pair beautifully with long chats and longer evenings.
Chef Saurabh Udinia has created a food program that celebrates “ugly delicious” without trying to be clever. There’s no smoke, foam, or dramatic plating here. Just good, solid dishes that pair beautifully with long chats and longer evenings.
I couldn’t resist ordering the Stuffed Chicken
Wings with Chorizo and they were a revelation.
Juicy, spicy and satisfying like a story you want to
hear again.
The Bhutanese Ema Datchi with Tingmo felt like a
warm invitation into someone’s family kitchen.
And the Goat Pepper Fry with Kerala Parota
brought the kind of heat that makes you pause
mid-bite, look up and smile.
By the time dessert rolled in Caramelized Honey
Butter Toast with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream I was
already planning my next visit.
More Than a Bar-A Culture in the Making
As I was soaking in the ambience, I realized that Conversation Room wasn’t just another entrant into Kolkata’s nightlife. It’s trying to fix something we have collectively lost: the joy of uncurated connection. It doesn’t distract you with gimmicks. It doesn’t demand your attention. Instead, it creates space for eye contact, for warmth, for spontaneity.
As I was soaking in the ambience, I realized that Conversation Room wasn’t just another entrant into Kolkata’s nightlife. It’s trying to fix something we have collectively lost: the joy of uncurated connection. It doesn’t distract you with gimmicks. It doesn’t demand your attention. Instead, it creates space for eye contact, for warmth, for spontaneity.
Founders Ramesh Agarwal and Abhimanyu
Maheshwari have brought in more than their
industry credentials-they have brought in intent.
You can feel it in every inch of the place. From the
music curation to the food menu to the staff that
knows when to chat and when to leave you
alone-it all adds up.
Abhimanyu describes it best: “A place where you
can have an existential meltdown with a close
friend in the evening and end the night dancing
on tables.” That’s not an exaggeration. It’s a
promise. And it’s kept well.
Final Sip
Conversation Room isn’t just a place you visit-it is a space you inhabit. For a few hours, you get to press pause on the noise of the world and simply be. And that, in today’s time, is nothing short of magic.
Conversation Room isn’t just a place you visit-it is a space you inhabit. For a few hours, you get to press pause on the noise of the world and simply be. And that, in today’s time, is nothing short of magic.
