It’s been almost a year when luxury night club Pangaea opened at the Ashok Hotel, Delhi amidst much fanfare. A famous chain all over the world (London, Miami, Aspen, Los Angeles, Brazil, Spain, Austin, Texas and Singapore) by its founder Michael Ault, it is bought in India in partnership with Spice Group’s owner, BK Modi. Slated to be the most expensive in Delhi with Rs4L cover charge (for table of 10pax that comes with a personal steward and guards), to Rs1500 as an entry charge where one would have to spend the entire evening standing, it did make heads turn. The most expensive scotch in Panagea’s collection is John Walker that costs Rs16Lakh a bottle or Rs64000 plus taxes every small peg. This place is obviously not meant for everyone.
Pangaea is a place not many Delhites would have experienced so far. It boasts of music system that by itself cost over whopping Rs2 crore, and sofas and tables that have been made in such a way that allows a person to dance on them without tripping, even for ladies with high heels. For such an opulent night club, the current average cost per person is hardly an indication of its potential. People are coming to get a feel of place but are they spending is another question.
Piyush Nahata, Marketing and Programming manager at Pangaea sounds upbeat. He says, “bartenders from across the country were willing to work with us, but we just chose the best 6-7 of them. We believe in either offering the best of the world or not offering that facility at all”. However the non-impressive wine collection speaks another story.
Would such an expensive night club be able to survive in Delhi? Pangaea is just 10 months old and already the pricing of food items have seen a reduction, confirmed Piyush Nahata. I am sure company did its research before investing huge money, but here are my few reasons, it will find difficult to find its feet in India.
– Timings: The night clubs draws crowd mostly in the late evening, and with night clubs closing in Delhi around midnight it will be a different battle altogether for Pangaea in India which otherwise opens till wee hours of morning world over.
– Location: At least for me, The Ashok Hotel does not connote uber luxury with which Pangaea is associated. A Government property known for its bureaucracy and non-service attitude, it will definitely have a rub on Pangaea. Btw, Ashok hotel does not even allow beef/buff to be served on its premises which most of it widely travelled patrons would prefer.
– Music Sense: Many Delhi-ites may not vibe with the kind of music being played here. They are happy dancing on mix of Indian and latest mixes. Pangaea attracts the best performers from across the world and they may not appeal to the Delhi night revelers.
– Bottle Service: Pangaea world over serves alcohol by bottle on the table. It ensures the patron does not doubt the genuineness of alcohol but also saves bar time. The excise restrictions in India do not allow selling by bottles in a retail outlet.
– Pricing: This is the biggest differentiating factor. We Delhites love to show off, which could have been a positive for Pangaea, but most of the upmarket clientele Pangaea is trying to attract have palatial bungalows and farm houses too. The who’s who of Delhi loves to throw parties, but they will choose their own house and hire the best caterers and DJs. It’s not only more royal andcost effective but there is no time restriction too.
Is Pangaea ahead of its times in India? Would it stay and make money, or would it meet the fate of most new dining out places and pubs in India? What will eventually happen? Only time can tell.
Disclaimer: Pics are from Google Images
