The large buzzing suburb is ready to host its first big coffee festival that includes a weekend of interactive community exchanges, popular café pop-ups, live gigs, arty sessions, and a whole lot more
Representation Pic/Istock
Thane’s cafe culture has largely existed in the shadow of Mumbai’s more established festivals and communities. What began as a steady rise in neighbourhood cafes and weekend caffeine rituals has reached a point where a full-fledged festival is now ready to launch in the form of the first-ever edition of the Gourmet Coffee Fest at Lakeshore Mall.
Attendees at a previous edition in Hyderabad. PIC COURTESY/TGCF
Durgesh Khandelwal, founder of The Gourmet Coffee Fest, organisers of the festival, shares, “Thane felt like a natural next step; it reflects a growing cafe culture here that hasn’t yet been explored through events, most of which remain centred on mainland Mumbai. The aim is to create space for more such concepts and offer a platform for people to discover emerging brands and engage with coffee in new ways.” Similar editions in other cities have tied in with local coffee communities, and the idea carries through here as well, giving people a way to connect beyond a single visit.
On April 4 and 5; 4 pm to 8 pm
At Lakeshore Mall, Eastern Express Highway, Service Road, Thane West.
Log on to district.in
Entry Rs 299 onwards
The Guide’s Top 3 things to do
Khayal E Bandish will perform at the fest. PIC COURTESY/@Khayal_e_Bandish
1 Cafes across the map: The line-up brings together independent cafes and familiar chains, offering a snapshot of what people are drinking right now. You’ll find Bandra-Khar favourites like The Nook and Dripface alongside Happyy Cupp Cafe and Kaivam, with Third Wave Coffee, Ab Coffee and Starbucks in the mix.
2 Comedy, music, and the rave: The programming moves across moods. Devesh Dixit leads the comedy, while Malang and Khayal E Bandish bring Sufi sets. Almost Pop and Hrivibe keep things lighter with pop hits and popular indie tracks. The coffee rave with DJ Talam closes out the evening on a high, blending electronic music with that unmistakable caffeine buzz.
3 Workshops and keepsakes beyond the cup: Once you’ve had your share of cups, the workshops offer a more hands-on way to engage. Sessions led by members of the Barista Training Academy cover latte art, brewing techniques, and coffee roasting. There’s also a section with coffee-adjacent merchandise, including lifestyle products like candles and charms that you can take home.
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