A GENEROUS SERVING

THE SINDHIAN LEARNS ABOUT THE TRUE MEANING OF HOSPITALITY FROM KARAN KHILNANI, FOUNDER OF AWARD-WINNING BAR AND EVERYONE'S FAVOURITE WATERING HOLE, ELEPHANT & CO.

Karan Khilnani loves the pulse of a busy bar; he revels in it, even feels inspired by it as he swiftly flits between front and back of the house, overseeing food, service and entertainment. You could say that hospitality is his passion, but he describes it a little differently. “It’s about giving joy to people, and I chase after that feeling. I love serving people, and making them smile. I enjoy myself most when my guests are having a good time.”

Mumbai-born Karan is the founder and partner of Elephant & Co (ECO), a bar that serves up delicious food, quirky cocktails, and an unmatched ambiance. He launched the first outpost in Kalyani Nagar, Pune with two friends in 2016, before expanding to another outlet in Baner, Pune in 2018, followed by Anjuna, Goa in 2022, and one due in Mumbai this year. Since its inception, ECO has been racking up awards too - it has been featured in the Top 30 Bars list and won the People’s Choice award for Best Bar India 2021 and 2022 by Best Bars India.

“Good hospitality is and always will be the core of our brand. The elephant symbolises the feeling of royalty we want our guests to feel every time they visit us. It’s probably the only thing about our brand that’s old school!” says Karan about his brand concept and philosophy.