Down Under

Down Under is down on the basement floor of 123/1, Marshalls Road in Egmore. Being in a basement means we don't get much natural light, so we rely on the overhead lamps to keep the place bright for everyone. Marshalls Road is a busy stretch in Chennai, with lots of traffic and pedestrians all day long. Because we’re below ground level, it stays a bit cooler inside than it does out on the street, which is a relief in the summer heat. We spend a lot of time making sure the stairs are clear and that the air conditioning is running properly. It’s a cozy space, but it can get a bit cramped when it’s full of people. We don't have any big windows to look out of, so the focus is all on what’s happening inside our walls. The staff here is small, and we all do a bit of everything, from greeting people to cleaning up at the end of the shift. Most of our visitors come from the nearby offices or the hospitals in the Egmore area. Finding the entrance can be a little tricky if you’re not looking for the sign, but once people find us, they usually come back. We don't put on any airs or pretend to be a high-end establishment. It’s just a basement spot on a busy road where people can get away from the sun and the noise for a while. It’s simple, it’s quiet, and it works.