The world’s first gin and tea bar is set to open next month, as its plans come to fruition and development progresses, with its owners confirming a mid-October opening.
The owners of East India Cafe, the award-winning Anglo-Indian restaurant situated in the regency town of Cheltenham Spa, are the team behind the ‘Memsahib Gin & Tea Bar’, which is set to be the premium place to eat and drink in Cheltenham, offering house-distilled gin, afternoon Chai tea and light snacks.
Litu Mohiuddin, who is the co-owner of East India Cafe & the new Memsahib Gin & Tea Bar, said: “Everything is coming together and, while we’ve not got a fixed date yet, we know we’ll be ready to open in mid-October – which means that’s when the world will have its first gin and tea bar!”
Believed to be the first of its kind anywhere in the world, the Memsahib Gin & Tea Bar is set to serve 55 gins sourced from all over the world, while also offering its very own distilled gin and a range of teas and spices, which will be paired with East India Cafe’s famous Anglo-Indian food.
The design for the bar’s interior is inspired by the British Raj period, a time in which many Anglo-Indian women came and settled in Cheltenham, providing a rich heritage for the bar to tap into. Guests who visit the bar will be transported back to the 19th century, where they will experience the culture that inspired Anglo-Indian cuisine.
Litu added: “There’s a wealth of Anglo-Indian history in Cheltenham and it’s this that inspired us to open the Memsahib Gin & Tea bar, where we replicate the welcoming home of the wealthy upper class European women of the Raj (known as memsahibs). These homes had a distinct Anglo-Indian vibe and it’s this we’ll be looking to convey in the bar’s décor and ambience. We’re delighted that the plans are well on course, and we’re looking forward to welcoming our guests when we open our doors later next month.”
Enthusiasts for the concept have been invited to pledge monetary support via the company’s Kickstarter page, where exclusive gifts are available dependent on how much someone pledges to donate. This includes meals for two, tasting menu evenings, gin distilling masterclasses and exclusive hire of the unique new bar for up to 80 guests. There’s even the opportunity for somebody to secure the world’s very first wedding in a gin & tea bar as part of the pledges.