IPL menu, Kumble mocktail take cricket to new pitch

The Indian Premier League fever has spread all around, from the heavily packed cricket grounds and homes to restaurants and hotels.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) fever has spread all around, from the heavily packed cricket grounds and homes to restaurants and hotels.

Picture this. Sports Bar Express, in the posh locality of Colaba in Mumbai, has its menu set with IPL flavour. The restaurant not only has IPL team names on its menu card, but also drinks named after players, including a Kumble mocktail. Hoteliers are upbeat about the 40 per cent growth expected in the food and beverage segment as the tournament enters its final lap.

“We are expecting 20-40 per cent growth in food and beverages with the advent of the semi-finals and finals,” said Vishal Kapoor, general manager with Royal Orchid hotel, Bangalore. He added that the turnover increases when the local teams play. The hotel has a special privilege card running at its pub Geoffrey’s for the guests, wherein they earn points that they can encash in terms of free stay and meals.

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“The introduction of IPL matches has definitely been a boon to us, taking into consideration the fact that during the months of April and May, people are normally occupied with their kids’ examinations and vacation,” said a spokesperson from Hotel Marine Plaza, Mumbai.

Said Rodas general manager Punish Sharma, “We are expecting good business this season, with food and beverage growth seen upward of 18 per cent.” Rodas is a property owned by the Hiranandani Group in Powai, Mumbai, and managed by Kamath Group division Concept Hospitality.

Rodas has some interesting offers on its menu at its resto-bar, Aura. The resto-bar is treating guests with a free pint of beer as and when players hit sixes and fours, or someone bowls a maiden over or takes a wicket. “For Rs 200 per head, guests come under the offer,” said Sharma. But to keep alcohol under control, the hotel lays down one more condition — a guest should be accompanied by a lady.

Even bigger hotel brands such as Fortune Park Hotels Ltd, a subsidiary of ITC Ltd and Trident Hotels, are not far behind. Fortune Select Exotica in Navi Mumbai has extended the buffet timing to 3 am from the normal 1 am deadline on match days. Says Fortune Select Exotica general manager Pradeep K Uniyal, “We are not providing discounts. But we have extended the buffet timings citing the IPL and our proximity to multiplexes that run late night shows.”

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Trident Hotel at Nariman Point, Mumbai, has put up big screens at its restaurants so that guests can enjoy the IPL matches. “We are witnessing large turnouts at our restaurants,” said a hotel spokesperson.