Learn the Culture of Fine Beers and Fresh Food at The Clock Tower

What is the first place that comes to your mind when you think of the coolest hangout in Gurgaon? For me, The Clock Tower has truly been a revelation of sorts!

My love affair with this amazing gastropub started in the middle of October when I had gone to hear India's leading ad film director, Prahlad Kakkar, who was paying a guest visit to the outlet; Boy, what an interesting and edifying evening it turned out to be!

Me and Prahlad Kakkar

The Clock Tower has a distinctive post-colonial feel to it, with large English style doors and windows, heavy pinewood work and a 24-foot high ceiling. Make no mistake, this ain't another watering hole in your favorite hi-tech city but an elegant microbrewery spearhead by an international brewmaster. It's the kind of place you're most likely to visit for a promising first date, an indulgent family meal, or a late after-work nightcap.

The Clock Tower

This concept-driven outlet is the brainchild of Tribhuvan Yadav, who followed his pursuit to bring in an authentic European style pub in Gurgaon.

The Clock Tower

Drawing on his influences as a boarding school student at Sherwood College Nainital (which was established in 1869 during the British Raj), Tribhuvan wants to position this place as an iconic community destination that offers the best comfort food and drinks.

The Clock Tower (at night)

Likely to become a convenient landmark on the Golf Course Road, The Clock Tower is the perfect find IMHO to grab a craft beer, scotch or sparkling ale. The forward-thinking craft brewing techniques will knock your socks off; you can probably say the same for the adventurous mixology and cuisine.

Craft Beer at The Clock Tower

Patrons enjoying Craft Beer at The Clock Tower

Trappist-style Tripel

Microbrewery at The Clock Tower

Craft Beer at The Clock Tower

Cocktail at The Clock Tower

Craft Beer at The Clock Tower

Cocktail at The Clock Tower

Craft beer tap at The Clock Tower

The infused cocktails selection contains a variety of creative concoctions with fresh fruits, which truly delight the senses. I couldn't help but admire the quality of ingredients used!

On my subsequent visit to The Clock Tower, I spent some time with Rohan Kichlu, who manages both business and guest-based growth, while building an effective restaurant team and service culture that strengthens the foundation of the brand from within. Before joining The Clock Tower family, Rohan was immersed in the flow of several high-end establishments in India and the United States such as The Park Hotels, ITC and similar  globally respected brands performing well above the average thresholds in their respective micro markets.

Rohan Kichlu

Rohan has a seasoned understanding of the inner workings of the F&B industry and his vision is to expand The Clock Tower beyond the borders of Gurgaon as a state-of-the-art outlet that is recognized and loved across the country.

The Clock Tower

At The Clock Tower, Rohan continues to approach food and drinks with unbridled curiosity, finding excitement in developing a wide-ranging food and beverage program.

Seen at The Clock Tower

Appetizer at The Clock Tower

Fresh salad at The Clock Tower

Appetizer at The Clock Tower

Salad at The Clock Tower

Salad at The Clock Tower

Sizzler at The Clock Tower

Non-vegetarian food at The Clock Tower

Appetizer at The Clock Tower

Mezze Platter at The Clock Tower

Paneer Tikkas at The Clock Tower

Pasta at The Clock Tower

Spring Rolls at The Clock Tower

Spaghetti at The Clock Tower

Appetizer at The Clock Tower

I was then introduced to Navjot Singh, a dedicated flair bartender and enterprising mixologist who joined The Clock Tower after ending his sojourn with The Park Hotels. Acclimatized to the glitter and high velocity of expensive nightclub scenes, Navjot's confidence in his skills remains unfaltering to date no matter what the circumstance or demand.

Navjot Singh

Outlet manager, Prakash Bisht, is fondly dubbed as The Clock Tower's "Rock", holding all major operations together and being the sturdy backbone for the team. He is a man of fine tastes, cultivated demeanor and finesse - nurturing a longstanding career in the luxurious hospitality industry for brands such as The Indian Accent.

Prakash Bisht

The evening culminated with a surprise demo by Thean Leonard Kruger, the Brewmaster and Craft Beer Specialist from Cape Town, South Africa, who effortlessly masters the art of homebrewing and culinary wizardry. Thean has embarked on a mission to teach Indians about his passion by helping them raise their techniques to standards expected by the Global Beer Revolution.

Thean Leonard Kruger

He is currently a consultant to several established breweries across the country, The Clock Tower being his latest culinary project. His knowledge of the beer universe is formidable; he beholds each beer with mild synesthesia, fiercely astute to the individual character of every brew and remarkably receptive to the subtle intricacies of flavor, temperament, and emotion which he eloquently describes with the flow and command of a poet.

Here are the highlights of my visit to The Clock Tower.

• A large Victorian style antique wall clock with a prominent character from Monty Python's Ministry of Silly Walks.

Victorian style antique wall clock at The Clock Tower

• Shrooms of the Wood pizza - Topped with sauteed mushrooms, seasoned with salt and pepper. Goes down really well with a nice young Sauvignon Blanc or Chandon Brut. Alternatively, the British Summer Ale is a nice beer to down the pizza.

• A specially designed Allumnus Corner to remind you of school, faculty, etc.

Allumnus Corner at The Clock Tower

• Each wall has a unique story to tell - be it The Adventures of Tintin, The Adventures of Asterix, or our very own Malgudi Days. 

R. K. Laxman's Wall of Fame

• The Clock Tower has a fantastic selection of six beers on tap round the year. Two annual beers form the pillar of brewing, whereas two quarterly/seasonal beers and two signature beers are available on rotation every few weeks.

Six Types of Craft Beer at The Clock Tower

• British Summer Ale
• A perfect summer ale, this crisp, dry and refreshing beer is sturdy enough to satisfy with a citric hop aroma leaping from a white meringue head.

• Belgian Wit
• A tasty, light yet elegant wheat ale made to the same specifications as Pierre Celis' brewery in the village of Hoegaarden. This is an authentic Belgian wheat beer to die for!

• Trappist-style Tripel
• Did you know this is a beer brewed in honor of the Benedictine monks who invented the Trappist style not so long ago at Westmalle monastery? Brewed with a specially made in-house syrup, the beer is light and delicious.

• Northern English Brown
• From the Northern reaches of England comes this brown curiosity of an ale with an array of flavors such as nutty, biscuity and toffee - popping out from a bready base malt.

• Oktoberfest Marzen
• The original 'festbier' of Germany was first brewed in 1840 by Gabriel Sedlmayr. Oktoberfest Marzen remains a soft, complex yet rich malt-forward lager that can easily be consumed by the liter.

• Oktoberfest Helles
• The modern-day 'festbier' of Germany is like a cousin to the well-known Czech Pilsner, with much more malt character. It is clean and infinitely drinkable, focusing on malt flavor as opposed to malt sweetness.

Finally, the clinking of glasses is a gentle reminder of the conviviality and friendship that you'll continue to forge at The Clock Tower while networking with the finest brewers, craftsmen, chefs, and travelers from across the spectrum. It almost felt surreal hearing about the culture of fine beers and fresh food; great attention to detail is given to ingredient selection and process, which is reassuring, to say the least.

The Clock Tower

Seating arrangement at The Clock Tower

Another view of the seating arrangement at The Clock Tower

View from the top at The Clock Tower

Bar at The Clock Tower

[Address: The Clock Tower, Golf Course Road, Dlf Phase 5 (Rapid Metro Pillar 141), Gurgaon, Haryana, India.

Landmark: Opposite Ibis Hotel/Beside Palm Springs.
Mobile: For reservation, call (+91) 8587811182.
Email: info@hthospitality.in; rohankichlu@hthospitality.in]