Now, this was one unusual cocktail combination that Hyderabad did not know of — a binge-drinking night followed by a no-hangover morning. It sounded like an oxymoron until Pudding & Mink, the Ayurveda-based bar and lounge opened in Banjara Hills. Tejuswini Chaudhary, entrepreneur and fashionista, who launched the concept bar to find a “tastefully-done place with great food where the A-listers visit” said that introducing a new concept and managing it was both exciting and exacting. The 70-seater ‘by invite-only’ pub recommends cocktails and drinks based on your body type. But only after you quickly fill in 30 questions about your health, from the amount of water you consume to your dietary habits. The spirits go well with the body type, thus leaving you with a clear head minus the mandatory hangover.
Talking about the learnings of her maiden venture, Tejuswini says, “One must just have no ego and be willing to ask any question, no matter how dumb you think, to get there. It has been a steep learning curve for me,” she confesses. This mom to a five-year-old says she started researching health, food and drinks after she felt her health suffered and she wanted a sustainable solution. Her research led to Ayurvedic cocktails and her venture — Pudding and Mink. “I am often told that if there is someone from out of town coming, this is the place they are excited to bring them to. We are the first to do Ayurvedic cocktails and that has changed the game globally in ushering the concept of a balanced, new age nightlife.” 2020 would be a time to talk to friends and restaurateurs from New York, Los Angeles, Goa and Chennai who have been talking about expansion/franchise plans for the venture.
About what she thinks should change in the city for a better and fun 2020, she says, “We need the government to go easy on some restrictions to make the city conducive for responsible adults to have fun in the city. Businesses cannot be held liable for the bad behaviour of customers”.