Conceptualised by Riyaaz Amlani of the Impresario Hospitality group, Social in New Delhi’s Defence Colony maintains the theme of maximum upcycling. Kitschy unfinished industrial scraps like wooden benches, broken lifts and industrial piping rule the design palette here. Inescapably, the building with the bold marquee screaming ‘Defence Colony’ stares you in the face from almost anywhere, justifying the tag of DefCol Social to this outlet. Everything at this restaurant has been found and not bought.
The raw surfaces with no cladding or high-end finishes gives the restaurant an unprecedented industrial look. Seating 100, the 2,200 sq ft space is much smaller than its sibling in Hauz Khas Village, but spreads across two floors nevertheless.
Spring bar chairs and hanging staircases populate this space. The hard benches that can be wheeled around are made of train trolley wood. Recycled furniture and walls in exposed brickwork are a leitmotif, the latter being elevated by original wall art by the St+art team, of the St+art India Foundation.
