Abhishruti Dutta, founder and creative head of Mrs. Wilson’s Cafe in Jodhpur Park expressed how the Kolkata Pride flag was integral to her own principles. “Equality, tolerance, love and solidarity for all, irrespective of gender, sexuality and religion has always been a part of our core values. This has been the driving force behind our solidarity with Kolkata Pride Walk and the LGBTQIA+ community,” she said
Anand Puri, the third-generation owner of Trincas has a simple philosophy. “The idea was to reiterate what we have always tried to do — to make all guests feel equally comfortable,” he said. Trincas was incidentally the first establishment on Park Street to install the Pride flag on November 17, when Kolkata Pride Month began, and even conducted a sensitisation session for its staff
Cafe Positive is emanating positive vibes, with not one but two flags at the entrance. Kolkata Pride volunteer Subhojit Mitra was elated to recount his experience while collaborating with the eatery. “Because of the negative public perception that many people hold of the queer community, I was apprehensive about approaching cafes. But I was surprised to see just how inclusive Cafe Positive has been from the start, they aren’t just dissociating from stigmatised identities, but trying to move forward with their thinking,” he said
Poach Kitchen, which opened in July and has become the talk of Southern Avenue, has tent cards on its tables, and wears a flag at its entrance. Incidentally, one of the first queer-friendly spaces in Kolkata, Mocha Cafe, was also helmed by Nikhil Chawla, the same face behind Poach and its sister brand Marbella's
