The façade of The Gateway Taproom is a typical colonial stone and arch with a keystone, flanked by lamppost lights symmetrically placed beside a striking door that promises to transport you into a local pub in London. It is bookmarked with the brand’s iconic lollipop logo. The door design is strategically designed with the principles of brand recollection.

It is 10 p.m. in the Kalaghoda precinct, and a group of friends are walking down the dimly lit street soaked in heritage, gearing up to give the Mumbaikars another night of core memories. As they ponder over where to go, one of them recollects a bright orange London phone booth door that they just crossed.

The Gateway Taproom in Kalaghoda Transports One Into A Local London Pub | Skill Craft Décor

Arched Partitions

The rectilinear space is veiled with layers to enhance the experience of the visitor. As you enter, you are met with the host table and cashier demarcated with arched partitions of metal and frosted glass to not give away the charm of the bar. We added an ever-welcoming detail of green plants to the arched partitions for warmth. one single go. These partitions also offer privacy to the diners from the incoming chatter and customers. An ever-welcoming detail of green plants is added to the arched partitions for warmth.

Staying true to the apex of the restaurant, a thick band of orange is striped through the length of the restaurant, nudging you to keep the bold door alive in your heart as you move through the night. It is a simple yet impactful way to envelope all the elevations of the room. It gives you a sense of oneness and intimacy that the entire restaurant is here to have a good time collectively. We reflected the vibe and aesthetic vision of the brand, in line with their other outlets, through the use of several materials. 

Gateway Taproom is a brewery that relates to a casual, grunge, and laidback vibe with some quintessential traditional details. We wrapped the walls in 1-inch-thick exposed brick painted white to enhance the sense of space and used cement-look vitrified tiles for the floor to ensure easy maintenance. 

Olden Day Charm

We crafted all the furniture from seasoned white oak stained in an African walnut tone with tan leatherette, replicating the furniture from their previous outlets. Backlit arched antique mirrors line one wall, adding old-world charm and breaking the linearity of the space.

You also catch glimpses of the artwork on the opposite wall detailing the brewing process as a conversation point plus spotlighting the product. Moreover, custom lights made of fibreglass and metal illuminate every table and bar, enhancing the industrial feel.

The weathered look follows us till the anchor of the space—the bar. Clad in rare sleeper wood and topped with a leather finish of black granite. We incorporated details like a metal rod footrest, a projector screen, and changeable menus replicating the chalkboard feel. Thus, all are thoughtfully integrated despite the spatial challenges. 

Automation and Technology

The space being a heritage building came with its challenges. But the context is what gives a space uniqueness. We increased the height of the space by excavating nearly a foot of coba. Thus, ensuring the true rubble below was protected with load-bearing structures. This enabled the use of one-way cassette ACs versus split ACs that throw an uncomfortable direct draft on the diners. Slim boxing with trapdoors hides the bulk of the cassette ACs for easy servicing. Automation creates different moods for the restaurant’s day and night services.

The systematic slicing of the space categorised by function facilitated the bar to have 45 covers with a good mix of banquet seating and bar seating. The banquet cleverly houses ergonomically designed storage that doesn’t interfere with the visitor’s experience. Another ergonomic focus in the bar is the passage that leads us to the restrooms and the back kitchens. In this small area, we had to retain the floor height while traffic regulation and operations overlapped. To prevent accidental hazards, a curved railing provides support and stability, while curved steps expand the surface area for traffic without compromising the seating floor plate. 

Mindful Use of Space

The space sings of good times with its mindfulness in use of space, subtraction of material, and ergonomics. When life gives you heritage bones and an urban soul, you embrace the dichotomy and lace it with simple yet bold details.

Fact File

Designed by: Skill Craft Décor

Project Type: Restaurant/Bar

Project Name: Gateway Taproom

Location: Kalaghoda, Mumbai

Year Built: 2023

Duration of the project: 100 Days

Project Size: 1265 Sq.ft

Principal Designer: Mihir Mistry

Photograph Courtesy: PHX Aditya

Products / Materials / Vendors: Wallcovering / Cladding –  Wall brick tiles / Lighting – Terra Trading / Sanitaryware – Vitra, Gebrit, Jaquar / Paint – Asian  velvet  touch / Hardware – Hettich

Firm’s Website Link: Skill Craft Décor

Firm’s Instagram Link: Skill Craft Décor

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