Introduction and Concept
– “Grumps is a neighbourhood bar with a spin on classic cocktails and fun Asian food. While cocktail culture is on the rise throughout India, we felt there existed a handful of bars in Goa wherein the food and cocktails were at par with each other; elevating the experience of food and drink. With Grumps, our intention was to create a bar that’s approachable, fun and easygoing, with no compromise on the food and drinks, which we take very seriously.”
Location Benefits
– “We’ve chosen the village of Sangolda as it’s far enough from the frenetic activities of Goa’s coastal belt but close enough for tourists to visit if they so desire. Sangolda is close to Porvorim, Soccoro and Panjim, where a lot of locals reside. It is also very centrally located and a 20-30 minute drive from most areas of North Goa.”
Space and Ambiance
– “It is the backyard of an old Portuguese home called Goro House, which dates back to 1930. We restructured an existing outhouse, firewood storage room and the open space in between to comprise an indoor-outdoor bar that feels modest, familiar, cozy and comfortable. The total seating capacity is around 45-50 covers, including 7-8 bar seats.”
Drinks and Service Philosophy
– “The aim was to create a balanced cocktail menu so as to be a place where everyone can find something to suit their varied tastes—from slightly fruity to fully funky all the way to more spirit-forward drinks: elegant and well-presented cocktails that are delicious without the need for extravagant smoke and mirrors.”
Food Program
– “In India, alcohol and food are synonymous. Every drinking session or night out has some sort of chakna or snacks for everyone to share while they sip on their favourite drinks. We see ourselves as individuals craving the bolder flavours from the eastern world which usually tend to have a balance of tangy, spicy, sweet and sour…and always delicious. Some of the popular food dishes are: Lamb Krapow ‘Kebab’ – thai basil, beans, sweet soy (our version of a kebab and a take on the popular thai street food)
Avo Wonton ‘Tostada’ – truffle ponzu cream cheese, herby guacamole (refreshing, crunchy yet creamy – nice to start your meal with)
Team and Leadership
– “Kartik Vasudeva – He is a calm & composed team leader with great inter-personal skills and has the exceptional ability to listen, understand & bring out the best in the team.”
– “Agrini Satyarthi – She is an extremely thorough individual with a keen eye for detail. Her approach to life and work are the same, compassionate but practical & pragmatic which are qualities that make her a great leader.”
Unique Brand Philosophy
– “Life can be a whirlwind of responsibilities and obligations, often leaving us feeling burdened and disconnected. At Grumps, we recognize the importance of embracing the lighter side of life. Our name represents a playful acknowledgment of the grumpy moments we all experience but encourages us to let go and rediscover the joy within.”
Cultural Integration and Community Focus
– “While a vast majority of these ventures are fundamentally designed to serve a transient tourist crowd, the approach with Grumps is to cater to the old and new locals of Goa, giving them a neighbourhood bar that they can call their own.”
Physical Layout and Design Aesthetic
– “The garden space is meant to be an extension of the bar itself and is lined with numerous fruit trees ranging from jackfruit to chickoo to mango. The space comes alive with the plants and a palette of natural and handmade materials like cement oxide, terrazzo, kota stone, laterite, teak wood, and cane steal the limelight.”
Cocktail Innovation and Local Ingredients
– “The cocktails use modern techniques to extract maximum flavour out of the fresh and unique produce available locally, sometimes as local as our own backyard. Some of the popular cocktails are: Stand By Me – tequila, guava, basil, sumac, co2 (refreshing highball)
Mo Money Mo Problems – scotch, brunost cheese, pedro ximenez sherry, absinthe (spirit forward, super interesting and complex)
Community and Staff Dynamics
– “Grumps is a space where both our guests and team members feel relaxed and welcomed. Our team is what makes Grumps the place it is. Thus it is paramount that our team are comfortable enough to express their own personalities with a sense of ownership and a collective goal to create the best possible environment for each individual guest.”
Guest Experience and Atmosphere
– “Grumps is a space where if you feel like getting up and grooving, you’ll be encouraged to. But you won’t have people cramping your space if you’re the kind who prefers to just sit and have a conversation with your dear ones.”
