There is one substance in the world which gets your blood pumping and adrenaline flowing. NO, it is not what you are  thinking. I am a strict NO DRUGS advocate. I am talking about the universally sought after brew, which jolts you into consciousness and if not consumed can leave you completely bereft. Yes, I am referring to COFFEE. If you are as addicted as I am, then the mere smell of the blend can elevate you to a special level of ecstasy and transcend you beyond this mundane world.   If you show all these symptoms, then you should visit QWIKY’S COFFEE PUB which opened in the city recently. Based on the famed Starbuck chain of coffee pubs in the US, Qwikys is not just selling a beverage for is a new experience in drinking coffee. The good news is that they are planning to open around 55 outlets in the Asian region.

This 'cozzzy' pub offers around 100 varieties of coffee and each of the blend is carefully concocted under the watchful eye of the founders Sashi Chimala and Bhavani, the media incharge (who was very friendly, the first person not to eye my visiting card with suspicion). The blends are okayed by an international coffee consultant in Bangalore and then introduced into their spread. The most common varieties are Espresso - an Italian blend which is very much like the Indian coffee, with a lingering aroma and a mouth -watering flavour, Mocha - a chocolate flavoured espresso with a dash of milk and topped with whipped cream, Cappuccino - a shot of espresso blended with a dash of steamed milk and capped with rich creamy foam and Americano - made by combining a shot of espresso with steaming hot water. Apart from these, there are also different kinds of slurpy syrups in different flavours to give your coffee that special taste. They also have a whole range of cold coffee called, Friazzo, which comes in Espresso, Mocha, Vanilla flavour and Biscayyo (topped with crunchy pieces of biscuits).

This pub also sells international magazines, Hallmark greeting cards, and Q-gear, which is a special clothesline done by a designer from US. They also have cute, pinky glo-in-the-dark panties!!! "These have been selling like hot cakes," says Bhavani. They also have a range of really trendy skullcaps and are planning to rigorously push their line of merchandise.

Their line of short eats consists of yummy cheesecakes, pastries and brownies (for a minute there I forgot my diet restrictions!!!). They also serve these submarine sandwiches, which are kind of huge, and really filling. You don’t find these anywhere else in the city except during the special food festivals. They also offer Greek sandwiches made from specially flavoured bread.

"Jazz & Blues is the best suited for the kind of ambience in a coffee pub, so we have Martin Visser playing the saxophone in the weekends," says Bhavani. "It was really funny how I found Martin. I had visited all the major music troupes in search of a sax player and while returning to my office I saw this guy on a bike with a sax. I rolled down my window and asked him whether he would be interested in playing in the pub. He agreed and after listening to him we booked him on the spot," she adds.

Okay, you might ask me whether the place is a success. I will just quote few of the comments from their suggestion cards, "Experience of a lifetime", "Qweep it up, Machan". More than 60% of their customers are repeat customers, and don’t forgetthat it is just over four weeks since they opened. Bhavani proudly says that their response has been 300%, which was totally unexpected.

Special mention must be made of the staff who are called as Baristas; they are very helpful and attentive to each and every customer’s need. A big cow bell hangs in the shop which tells the customer to ring it when they are satisfied with Qwikys. When I clanged the bell, the staff at the counter thanked me.

Chennai is no longer the dinky city starved of trendy places to hangout, ruled by the conservative mindset. I just spotted a typical Mama in a 'dhoti' and a mami in a 'saree' walking in  - Times are changing man, whether you like it or not!

Address: 
Qwiky's Coffee Pub, 
Gee Gee Emerald Plaza,  
#1 Sterling Road, Chennai 
Open 7 a.m. - 11.00 p.m.

 Malini S