The Chatter House is fashioned on the charms of vintage Irish-English Pubs and Bars. Its new outlet at the Khan Market in New Delhi is an understated extension of its Nehru Place-located sibling.
Amidst a potpourri of high-end cafés and designer label boutiques in the genteel by-lanes of Khan Market in New Delhi, comes this ‘statement in restraint’. Entered through an oversized matte-finished steel door that leads to a dusky stairway, all eyes will be soothed by the sensual interiors of this gastronomical retreat.
Treading up the stairwell takes one to the bar where 2 brick-lined barrel vaults rest on heavily-riveted steel girders in balanced symmetry. This conjures up multiple images of an old, reclaimed British/Irish Underground station or a tunnel. Culminating in 2 oversized circular glass windows, the space gives an impression of a tunnel in the dark, the effect accentuated by a series of demurely designed overhead lights. These lights were inspired by the Edison Bulbs-carrying wrought-iron torches used by the railway tunnel mechanics during the Locomotive Era of England.
The seating is clad in tanned antique leather upholstery with dark-wood high back paneling reminiscent of the Irish bars and pubs found in and around Dublin. The flooring is done up in grey and white terrazzo tiles which form a continuous hypnotic pattern, visually connecting to the richness of an oversized carpet.
While traversing from the lower to the upper floor, one literally feels a yank out from the impromptu day-dreaming. This relatively dusky setting gets a slight blanched nudge on the upper floor through the light that pours in from the 2 oversized square windows continuing over as glazed skylights.
A cohesive display of Irish nostalgia makes the space subconsciously resonate with melodies from every corner. The M:OFA Studio design team has put various art collectibles on display all around the space, none of them in-the-face yet capable of making a profound impression on the patrons. The art deco inspired bar counter, walls stamped with collages of Irish rhythm notes and pictures of old English rock bands, an antique piano, extensive oak wood paneling, and the appeasing warm ambience set the Irish vibes soaring high within The Chatter House.
