“Don’t wait for perfection, and focus on creating value. Challenges are inevitable, but persistence and clarity of vision will always set you apart.”
Akshit Agarwal is a young hospitality entrepreneur based in Kolkata, focused on building experience-driven dining and nightlife concepts.
Akshit launched a themed restaurant at 23 that became known for its immersive ambience and storytelling, and has since expanded into ventures across F&B and nightlife. His well-known ventures include Drunken Teddy and Cafe Proof.
“The focus is on creating high-energy, memorable social spaces that combine strong branding with exceptional customer experiences.”
The Inspiration
What inspired Akshit was a clear gap in the market. While there are several restaurants, very few offer dining that feels immersive, experiential, and memorable. That insight pushed him to build a themed fine-dining concept from the ground up, with hands-on involvement in design, branding, and execution. He reveals,
“I wanted to create spaces that people don’t just visit, but remember. It started with a themed fine dining restaurant and turned a bold and unconventional concept into reality through hands-on. That first venture became the foundation for my journey in hospitality.”
Today, what makes his ventures different is the focus on experience over product alone. Each brand is built around a distinct concept, with storytelling, ambience, and emotional engagement at the center, whether it is themed dining, nightlife, or event-led spaces.
Akshit explains that in dine-in, the focus is on the taste of the food being served, while in nightlife, the experience of music and entertainment becomes more important. However, ambience, service, and warmth remain common expectations across every F&B outlet. AKshit’s ventures stand out by focusing on all these factors. Akshit further explains,
“For a nightlife outlet, we create experiences by experimenting with different artists from across the globe and different themed nights, which is what keeps repeat customers, as they have gained confidence that the kind of nights we design are surely giving them something different from the rest.”
“There are many factors involved when it comes to sustainability. Maintaining consistency in service, crowd experience, food quality, and introducing updated menus from time to time all play a vital role. Constant evolution is important so that the brand never feels outdated.”
The Journey
The journey began early and came with the usual pressure of entering hospitality at a young age, building trust, managing operations, and staying consistent in a highly competitive market. Scaling while keeping the experience intact was another challenge, and it required constant learning, the right team, adaptability, and a clear focus on customer value. Reflecting on the toughest decision they had to take so far, he adds,
“If we look at it from a city perspective, our riskiest decision by far has been expanding the same brand within the city. Kolkata has a very limited market, so expansion sometimes raises questions.”
He further adds,
“Choosing a location for any new venture is the most important and primary factor before making the decision to move forward. The key consideration is whether it is centrally located and easily accessible to the target audience. If yes, the next factor is the kind of space available in the chosen location. It also depends on which vertical of F&B is being considered. These factors guide us in making a location decision.”
Akshit says long working hours and stress have never been a major challenge because his passion for F&B has always outweighed the pressure. For him, each day brings a new learning, and staying engaged with the team, meeting new people, and managing the core of the business have made the work feel more energizing than exhausting.
One routine that has added the most value is visiting every outlet every day without fail. He says presence makes a difference, and although it becomes difficult at times, it keeps the team motivated and the business moving. Work-life balance has been a challenge, but with work as the priority and a strong team in place, he has been able to manage it with greater ease.
Akshit believes that there are many factors involved when it comes to sustainability. Maintaining consistency in service, crowd experience, food quality, and introducing updated menus from time to time all play a vital role. Constant evolution is important so that the brand never feels outdated.
Even though there have been several challenges, Akshit is proud of the milestones he has achieved over the years. He says,
“Our success is measured not just through revenue, but through customer retention, brand recall, and the ability to create experiences people talk about.”
Some of their key milestones include launching ventures like Drunken Teddy and Cafe Proof, expanding into multiple formats, collaborating with established hospitality brands, and building a strong presence in Kolkata’s dining and nightlife scene.
Plans Ahead
Akshit’s plans ahead are focused on scaling across cities and building a portfolio of hospitality and lifestyle brands that stand out.
He wants to move into larger-format venues, destination experiences, and eventually international markets. The approach will rely on strategic partnerships, stronger brand building, and concepts that continue to evolve with consumer preferences.
With a head full of dreams for the future, he leaves a note for the budding entrepreneurs. He signs off, highlighting,
“Execution matters more than ideas. Consistency, adaptability, and the willingness to take risks are crucial. Building the right team and staying grounded despite growth are equally important.”
