Xmas gift pushes Park Street fun quotient a few notches higher

Kolkata: Park Street got off to a rocking start to Christmas celebrations as Hard Rock Cafe threw open its doors for the public at Park Mansion.

The entry of the global brand has brought excitement on Kolkata’s fun street. It has added a zing to the party spirit with crowds already spilling over the heritage tea room at Flurys and restaurants Mocambo, Peter Cat and Bar-B-Q.

Old-timers as well as youngsters are excited at the arrival of the café that is expected to revive the tradition of live music at restaurants. Between 1960s and 1980s, several restaurants on Park Street, like Magnolia, Blue Fox, Trinca’s, Tavern, Mocambo and Moulin Rouge played live music. Now, Trinca’s is the only joint that still offers live music to patrons. The entry of Hard Rock will add variety and is expected to raise the bar.

The multilevel 5,540sq feet café sports a vibrant bar and a live entertainment space that will give the unique, local music scene a new arena for performances.

Music lovers are sure to drool over the hand-picked memorabilia adorning the cafe’s walls — a stylish cowboy hat worn by John Lennon, rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix’s scarf, mesh gloves worn by Prince during his Purple Rain tour and Lady Gaga’s bustier worn in 2008.

Restaurateurs on Park Street feel the global brand would attract more visitors. Nitin Kothari, owner of Mocambo and Peter Cat, said, “It is the most wonderful thing to happen. I have been to the Hard Rock Cafe outlets in New York, Tokyo, London and Dubai. It is really nice that it has come up on Park Street. It will ensure that others too raise the level of food and service.”

Others, like Kothari, are also looking forward to the Park Street Christmas celebrations to get under way on Friday. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee will inaugurate the celebrations at 5.30pm by lighting up a 23-feet Christmas tree at the entrance of Allen Park. The Archbishop of Calcutta, Thomas D'Souza, will then bless the Christmas crib. Christmas carols will be presented on the occasion by the Archdiocesan Bengali choir and the Assembly of God Church choir. Singing stars Usha Uthup, Michelle Manuel and Bengali band Krosswindz will then take the stage.

Anglo-Indian MLA Michael Shane Calvert said, “On Saturday, the festivities will begin at 2pm with the Christmas pageant followed by carols and live music. It will then take a two-day break before returning on December 26 and will continue till December 30.”