Always wanted to come back to Chennai: Riyaaz Amlani

When Riyaaz Amlani started Social, a cafe-cum-co-working space in Bengaluru in 2014 little did he know that the outlet would expand across India in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Chandigarh. The 27th outlet of Social will be launched in Chennai at Express Avenue Mall in Royapettah on February 9. Aptly named Mount Road Social, this community space effectively employs great design, food and drinks in a collaborative way. Chennai city is not a new space for Riyaaz — his maiden venture, Mocha — Coffees & Conversations, had an outlet on Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam.

“Coming back to Chennai after a few years with a new brand is an exciting thing. The city hasn’t changed much — I could still feel the warmth and straightforwardness of Chennaiites. The first thing I did after landing in the city was to visit a Murugan Idli outlet and indulge in their podi idlis. I have been alwayswanting to come back to Chennai for a very long time and I am happy to launch the 27th outlet of Social here,” says Riyaaz.

The CEO and MD of Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality Pvt Ltd, Riyaaz clearly knows the pulse of the millennial. “Today’s youngsters wanted to do things in their own terms. They don’t have a colonial mindset like Gen X. Millennials wanted the freedom but at the same time, love to collaborate by involving their entire social circle into it. And, Social is a place that’s very much relevant to the millennials,” he points out.

From an all-day cafe serving food, coffee, and cocktails, Mount Road Social transforms from this creatively charged, collaborative space into a high energy bar when work hours end, striking the perfect balance between ‘work x play’.

Interestingly, Mount Road Social borrows from the themes of the decade-defining TV series Miami Vice (which made wearing round neck tees with pink suits all the rage). A futuristic trip to the past, this Social is a change from how traditional ‘places to chill’ are experienced. “We believe that every community needs a Social and vice versa. The one question many raised was regarding the location — ‘Why a mall’? Well, why not a mall — on Mount Road Social, one can work, order a drink, listen to good music and can step out for shopping!” he says with a chuckle.

The design team has made sure to keep energetic and neon colours to showcase the vibrant culture of the city, as well as reflecting the 80s retro-wave aesthetic. “Designing the space along with the team is one of the creative processes I enjoy the most. Creating a theme any other Socials haven’t done before was definitely challenging. We wanted to bring a tropical poolside vibe toChennai and we have done justice to the theme, Vanakkam Ibiza,” Riyaaz explains.