Sheroes Hangout Lucknow: After Agra, now its here to make a difference.

Sheroes Hangout Lucknow- the first of its kind of cafe in lucknow is the 2nd hangout of Sheroes after the resounding success of the agra café. Inaugurated this women`s day, this was my priority to see how this one fares amongst the clutter of the more expensive cafes in the city. Inviting my friend Arsh to meet ( been ages since I met him) here, this place did not disappoint me in any way.

Those who have little clue that what is so special about this café here is the short history quickly. Sheroes cafes are run by acid attack victims. They give them another chance at life, a chance to be fighters again. Founded by Chaanv Foundation and acid attack victims it gives them a chance to stop the stigma surrounding being an acid attack victim. 2014 , the first café was opened in agra near the taj mahal and lucknow is the 2nd café with another one coming up in Udaipur, Rajasthan.

The other cafes normally are air conditioned pigeon holes and sheroes hangout at lucknow is a welcome change for all those who love open spaces. You can find this place infront of the Ambedbar Sthal in Gomti Nagar, near Hotel Renaissance if you are still clueless about the location. The covered area is adorned with comfortable jute sofas and big tables and a seating capacity of atleast 50 people in total (not to mention a that you can make use of the open space in the evening too). The red sandstone structure provides a welcome change and respite with big wooden chick blinds (been decades since I last saw them anywhere). The pillars are adorned with cute graphical cartoons and a bookshelf running across the whole of the seating space with quite a few books to read for all ages right from small children to elder people. I don’t know how to review places but I would try my best to do this. So let’s start one by one as they try to guide you what to expect at this place.

Ambience – Quite good. The quietness of the location would appeal to a lot of people and its in stark contrast to the more noisy counterparts found at various other places in the city. The day it might be windy, that day you might have a few issues with the dust blowing in but be assured that the warm wooden chicks would help. It would appeal to a lot of people who prefer the simple plain old charm. The various cartoons on the pillars across the whole sitting would capture your eye. The sitting spaces consist of comfortable jute sofas with space to seat five people at one table.

Farha on the counter and the menu alongside

Food – Considering that its a small café, then also you can easily find a menu of some 15 to 16 items including beverages. The menu does changes. The items are quite cheap and pocket friendly with tea and coffee starting from some 20 to 30 bucks and the more expensive chilly paneer going on to 120. There are a lot more options with sandwiches, pakoras (fritters), noodles etc etc and various other snacks. As I was there to meet up my friend so didn’t gorge too much on food but what we tasted was good enough in both taste and quality.

Pic clicked with consent. Stop acid attacks on t shirt.

Service – Although this cafe is run by acid attack victims but it surely employs few other women too and they are prompt and efficient in the service. Just make sure that you order your items at the counter itself because the ladies employed don’t take orders at the tables, they only serve them. Majority of those ladies are seen wearing stop acid attack T-shirts to make people aware about them. The counter is managed by farha (when I went), who is a survivor herself and she can help you in case you are confused as to what to order. The menu is handwritten by coloured chalk on a blackboard.

Other things – Just behind the counter you would find a wall with various abstract cartoons. Just to the left of it is a photo wall of all the five survivors of this cafe and their trip to the various locations in agra. There is a small space modelled like a small amphitheatre for live performances, which is also used by the youth coming there for animated discussions. As you wait for someone, you can also pass your time browsing through the collection of books they have. You might have read more of the new ones but it never hurts book lovers to catch up on Nancy Drew, Robinson Crusoe and maybe other childhood books and other more fiction titles.

Books

Prices – They don’t pinch your pocket that’s for sure. Looking at the overpriced beverages at other places, beverages and snack items are good in quality and okay. The agra cafe runs on “pay as you wish concept” but as of now the Lucknow outlet has a rate system which might shift to the pay as you wish concept in the near future.

With this place being just across the road from the ambedkar sthal , you can expect a decent crowd of people at any time of the day. They also work to rehabilitate other acid attack victims across the country, so if you know somebody who needs help you can contact them for the same. You can also donate your old books and novels to them for their library if you don’t need them any more.

The surprise which I noticed coming home was the thank you and a smiley scribbled on our bill by farha. If you wish to leave your comments, suggestions about the café, there is a visitor’s book on the counter where you can pen down your feedback. These were some of the best three hours I had spent in the cafe chatting with my friend. It was a great experience. Wish to see more of these cafes opening up in different parts of the country.