Pay for time, not coffee, at city’s first ‘anti-café’

Although the trend of anti-cafés has been around in Europe for a while now, it is only in recent times that India is warming up to this culture. For the uninitiated, an anti-café is a place where people meet and spend time (either for leisure or work), much like a café or club, which can be ‘hired’ for a short time. 

Unlike a normal café, the primary purpose anti-café is intended to serve is communication rather than consumption, but as in a regular café customers can order tea, coffee or other beverages. But here’s the deal – in an anti- café, you do not pay for the things you consume, but rather for the time you spend there. Bringing this concept to the city are architects Nithya Fernandez and Akshaya Chittybabu. 

“The idea was born out of our thesis in our final year of college. While Nithya’s topic was storytelling and architecture, mine was co-ideation. So, Backyard is a culmination of both these papers,” says Akshaya. Visitors can hire a spot for Rs.100 for the first hour, Rs. 200 for two, and then Rs. 50 for every additional hour. 

One can also hire a space for 12 hours at Rs 500. Located in Gandhi Nagar, Adyar, Backyard provides free coffee, tea, WiFi, board games, co-working facilities and more. In addition, there’s a conversation wall with a set of questions and anybody who wants can pen their answers and connect with others. 

The vibrant two-level space also recently hosted a TEDx talk. “There is no kitchen and the snacks available are from home cooks. We also have a wall specially dedicated to those who want to showcase their artwork. If someone wants to play a guitar or any other instrument, they can just come over and do an impromptu gig. 

Whatever your heart yearns for — art, design, theatre, music, dance, poetry, literature, photography, gossip, interactive walls, board games, random nibbles or coffee, here is your stage. Our intent is to bring people and ideas together, creating a space that enhances the little things in life that often are overlooked,” finishes Akshaya.