District 6 Micro-Brewery, Bangalore

By Pari Syal

Photography: Courtesy the architects

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Beer is not just another drink; it’s an experience! The new micro-brewery ‘District 6’ in Bangalore opens its doors to cater to this niche judiciously-cultivated palette…

There was a time when Bangalore was the hub for pub culture. Today, it seems to have reinvented the same drink-loving exercise via its dusky, hip crowd-pullers – breweries. Freshly brewed beer – by the glass, pint, keg or barrel – depending on the size of the party!!

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The latest one to open its doors earlier this month is ‘District 6’ at the Sheraton Hotel, Bangalore in uptown Rajajinagar. Constituting an ambience as deeply coloured as the brew itself, the drinking hole cum eatery sports polished metallic surfaces juxtaposed against rough-textured interior finishes.

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Designed by Tokyo-based Masafumi Sanada of M-style Inc., a predominantly industrial ambience prevails with exposed air-conditioned ducts, linear bunches of utility wiring, added wooden elements to emphasize the already-busy coffered slab above. Below, seating is divided into six distinctive zones (as the name indicates) - Brew Tank Area; Beer Tank Area; Dining Area; Alfresco Area; Front Kitchen; and PDR (private dining room). Upholstered in leatherette, deep sofas, chairs and bar stools with exposed peripheral stitching and a range of German imports of beer storage and brew tanks lend the required masculinity to the place.

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A common colour and textural palette binds the differently designed areas. Old oak wood, exposed brick, sleeper wood vie for attention amidst shiny copper pipes and kegs; while log wood generated cladding patterns and partitions composed of stacked-up 300 x 300 railroad tie-timber pieces aid variation in design.

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Private, semi-private areas and alfresco seating cater to individual preferences – ascertaining that all areas are within the eyeballs of the symbolic large brew tanks positioned in the middle of the resto-bar.