The soul of ‘Bar Spirit Forward’ is the personable mixologists, conjuring more than just delectable cocktails

After the eyes get used to the sufficiently-lit-for-a bar space, with warm tones of browns, sepia, and turquoise bursting off the interiors, what takes the breath away is the expansive bar table that sprawls across the entire length of the spacious room. I perch myself on one of the bar tables, as it’s a weekday and still early to drink (6 pm to be precise). Taking the whole vibe in, I feel Time evaporate.

The fairly new cocktail-bar in Bengaluru, on the upscale Lavelle Road, is sparcely filled. It’s as if I’ve arrived to a dinner party earlier than expected. The staff is still at work; polishing the glassware, cleaning up invisible spots at the bar counter, and ticking off hundreds of important tasks before the place starts buzzing. I resist a strong urge to ask them “Can I help?”, and have to tell myself ‘You’re a customer here. Order that menu and let’s see what we can drink.’

A smiling face comes and places the menu in front of me. He leaves, still smiling. The place, despite being close to empty, has a distinct vibe. Something that I couldn’t first place my finger on. ‘Why is this place feeling so familiar?’ I think to myself, as I peruse the cocktail menu. Seeing my confused face, Parth, one of the ‘mixologists’ comes to my rescue and helps me decide my cocktail for the evening – a basil infused gin cocktail that isn’t on the menu.

Don’t you just love it when you get something that’s not on the menu?

The drink arrives, and a single sip of it is enough to cool all my thoughts. At regular intervals, Parth and Ishwar (another smiley-faced mixologist) keep checking in on me, offering their time and building up a conversation that lasts all evening. They also keep a pulse on my water intake, by filling my glass at regular intervals, without asking.

A former bartender at O Pedro in Bombay, Parth misses the bustle of Mumbai but is visibly gushing about his current workplace. We talk about the joy of watching a movie in Mumbai, the street food, and how he has to go and eat at The Bombay Canteen everytime he’s in Bombay. His pleasant and easy-going attitude is only a reflection of how hard he’s working at his job (is it a job when you love it?). I get a glimpse of it the moment he’s deep into conversation with the staff or mixing a cocktail.

A second drink arrives, a re-fill, as it was that good. The wooden rattan chairs, plush Chesterfield sofas, and the turquoise bar cabinet are all adding up to a vibe. There are pickle jars kept on a high shelf, and I ask Parth what they are. He lists them one by one – cherries, olives, grapes…he goes on patiently, as if he has nowhere else to be. Jasmita, the only woman behind the bar counter comes up to me, and asks “what about food?” I decide on a Prawn Spaghetti, and it’s an instant hit with me, just like her personality and piercings. Ishwar comes, and I ask him “what is this mike dangling here for?” Unable to hide his smile, he says, while pointing to a sweet-faced man, “Rohil sings here when the night gets darker.”

Running an F&B place is as stressful as it’s fulfilling. And yet, there’s an order to the chaos that Mr. Arijit Bose, the founder and creative director of Spirit Forward has magically conjured. The place is buzzing, but the air doesn’t get heavy. It’s fuss-free, yet dramatic and enchanting. It’s a vibe that grows on you, comforts you, and finally, envelops you with a warm hug, smiling faces, and light banter with people who know what they’re doing. It feels familiar, because they were never unknown.

The place starts filling up, and a different spirit takes over. The mood heightens. The lights get dimmer. And the cocktail shakers are out at last.

In a far corner of the bar, I catch a glimpse of Mr. Arijit Bose himself, enjoying his own creation, with the widest smile possible.

On my way out, Ishwar says “I’ll be waiting for your next visit” and truly means it.

I mean to visit again, I promise!