Governor Gupta

bAR & RESTAURANT BRANDING

The India Social Club. A tandoor chophouse and social eatery with a hidden agenda.

Welcome to Governor Gupta, a not-so-secret social hangout. A thriving Social Club and tandoor chophouse, with classic Indian snacks. Inspired by the ‘adda’s’ in the Northern part of India, addas are places of ritual meeting, gatherings of people playing board games, and informal conversations. Loosely based on Indian prohibition, Governor Gupta is a premium yet casual brand, surrounded in secrecy. [‘Gupta’ – taken from the Sanskrit meaning ‘guardian’ or ‘ruler’; also inspired by the word ‘Gupt’ – from the Hindi word meaning: secret, hidden, mysterious].

Governor Gupta is an anonymous brand persona who welcomes guests to his lively ‘social club’. Selling his ‘illegal’ cocktails and ‘roulette-style’ tasting menus, he is the Social Club’s guardian, offering his esteemed guests a chance to playfully revel whilst keeping a lookout for trouble. 

Name generation & brand story was created, with a full brand identity, menu designs, marketing collateral, uniform direction, OS&E direction and signage. The branding is somewhat vintage, playful and retro, with patterns inspired by Indian board games. A bespoke-illustrated character depicting “The Governor” was commissioned by illustrator Sarah-Mari Shaboyan.