BackLounge Review | Temperance-The Culture Hub, Mumbai
Lounge Review | Temperance-The Culture Hub, Mumbai
PremiumPhoto: Hemant Mishra/Mint
In a city where getting from one place to another is an ordeal, a one-stop address where you can take a power pilates class, grab an iced tea and a panini and meet up with your weekly photography club might be too good to be true.
Temperance—The Culture Hub is an 8,000 sq. ft space in Bandra, Mumbai, created by cousins Viola Wadia, 32, and Hema Thakur, 29, who wanted an after-work hang-out space that was more than a café/gym.
The four-storeyed building houses a deli on two levels, a yoga and dance studio and a mixed martial arts (MMA) gym. Wadia and Thakur live on the premises. There are plans to start book, music, film and photography clubs. It’s all boho-chic, right from the lemon-grass ginger tea served in the deli to the tea lights hanging from chai glasses in the outdoor seating area.
Wadia and Thakur have put a lot of thought into the architectural design to present a quaint-meets-contemporary space that accommodates a discussion on French New Wave even as it makes room for a Bolly-hop class.
The floor directors know their stuff: Akhil Kapoor, who directs the MMA floor, has been training in martial arts since the 1990s (we love the “boot camp-like" training in Krav Maga, grappling, judo, ju-jitsu and kick-boxing). Dance director Amey Mehta oversees the salsa, masala bhangra, Piloxing and Zumba classes.
Wadia roped in young artist Ekta Doctor to design the recycled wire-mesh lamps and trays made from flattened glass bottles that are used in the deli. “We want to showcase work by young artists and eventually host exhibitions," she says.
The class timings are flexible and they help you find a good fit. “The idea is to work around your timings," explains Thakur.
In the deli, we recommend the rose tea (Rs 100), the caesar salad (Rs 140) and the Cajun Chicken in Brown Sauce (Rs 295). The Cream of Broccoli is served in a bread bowl and the Tomato Consommé with Spinach and Cream Ravioli (both ₹ 125) is light and flavourful. A soon-to-open counter with vegetable juice shots, fruit smoothies and vegan and raw food seems promising.
The “something for everyone" model might throw the serious fitness geek off, as will the substandard changing rooms. There’s also no nutritionist on the premises. You have to cross the deli (ground and first floor) to access the dance studio and MMA floor (a cheesy lumaconi after a workout, really?).
PS: Stay away from the desserts (the Tres Leche came in a plastic cup!).
Talk plastic
Dance, yoga and MMA classes are priced at ₹ 3,000 for eight sessions and ₹ 4,000-4,500 for 12. Unlimited MMA sessions per month are priced at ₹ 8,000. Beverages at the deli start at ₹ 60 and the mains are fixed at ₹ 295.
Temperance, St Xaverian Court, Sherly Rajan Road, Bandra (West), Mumbai.
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