The Denmark Tavern 1786

The Denmark Tavern (1786) Serampore

The Denmark Tavern at Serampore opened its doors for public on February 28, 2018. This was a “re-opening’ to be precise, and with this the reincarnation of an establishment which started it’s journey some 232 years ago, was complete.

The rise and fall of the Danish Colony at Serampore:

Serampore was a Danish colony between 1755 and 1845, a span of little more than 90 years and was known as Frederiknagore. It all started when the Danes, as part of their endeavor to get a slice of the lucrative trading business in India, formed the Asiatic Company (Asiatisk Kompagni). The then king of Denmark, King Christian VI, on 12 April 1732, signed a charter which granted them the right for trade in India and China for next 40 years. To take forward the agenda, the Danes felt the need to establish a settlement of their own rather than operating out of neighboring Chandannagar which was under the French Rule.

The Danish chief in India, Soetman, was negotiating with the Nawab for the land and then he was offered around 60 bighas of land at Serampur. But the deal proved to be too expensive for the Danes as it literally involved buying out a town. So the Danes worked out a more modest deal and took 3 bighas of prime land on the riverfront and rest inlands. Thus the Danes set foot on their own settlement and the Danish Flag was hoisted at Serampore on 8th of October, 1755.

The going was fairly good for the Danes for next 50 odd years. Their fate took a downward turn when England went into war with the Nordic nations in Europe. In the first battle of Copenhagen, on the day of 2nd April 1801, the British Fleet lead by Admiral Hyde Parker and Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson overwhelmed the Danish navy near Copenhagen. The ripples of war reached India and the troops of British East India Company (EIC) took the opportunity to replicate the Copenhagen chapter and quickly occupied Frederiknagore. Later a peace treaty signed on 23rd October 1801, made the EIC troops back off for the time being. However, it was turbulent time in Europe and peace seemed to be only temporary. The second battle of Copenhagen which began on 16th August 1807, had brought Denmark to submission. The EIC again didn’t waste time to grab the opportunity to dominate the Danes and sent troops from Barrackpore cantonment which was across the river to occupy Frederiknagore and confiscate the Danish ships.

The fate of the Danes went on a tailspin from here onwards. The economy back home was shattered by the war and the Danes were in no position to run trade and commerce and hold onto their settlement. They had to give in to the English and finally sold their property to East India company by 1844. The small footprint the Danes had in Eastern India, ceased to exist on 11th October 1845 when the Danish flag was lowered for the final time.

The outside view of the Denmark Tavern

History of The Denmark Tavern; Serampore

During the Danish era The Denmark Tavern came up right of the riverfront. Interestingly this was owned not by a Dane but an Englishman named James Parr. James Parr also ran the “London Tavern” in Kolkata and knew the tricks of the trade well. His idea was to cash in on the travelers, mostly Europeans, sailing up and down the river Hooghly. In those days there were many prosperous settlements and trade centers along the banks of river Hooghly and people traveled for both business and pleasure. Travelling by boat along the river were more convenient compared to road travel.
The business strategy of James Parr aptly reflected in an advertisement that was placed in the Calcutta Gazette, dated 16th March 1786. The advertisement said,

Gentlemen passing up and down the river may be accommodated with breakfast, dinner, supper and lodging, and may depend on the charges being very reasonable…Dinners dressed and sent out at short notice; also liquors sold by the single dozen, for ready cash. A good Billiard Table and Coffee-room with the Newspapers etc”

A second advertisement placed in the same paper which came out on 3rd April 1788, two years after the first one, suggested that the popularity of the Tavern surged and business was brisk.

Meanwhile the ownership changed hands and the tavern was run by another Brit, John Nichols, who also ran the Harmonick bar, situated where the Lalbazar Police Headquarters stand today.

It is not exactly known when and how the Tavern shut shop. Not much records are found in later times. Slowly it went into oblivion. The once magnificent building started losing it’s shine and lack of maintenance ultimately tuned the structure into complete rubble. The usable part of the building was occupied by the police.

The Front Fascia of  The Denmark Tavern 

Revival of The Denmark Tavern Serampore

In the year 2015, as a part of their “Serampore Initiative” the National Museum of Denmark undertook the project to revive the heritage structure back to its glory. Accordingly, an ambitious project was undertaken and architect Manish Chakraborti spearheaded the initiative in collaboration with Danish architect Flemming Aalund. In three years’ time, the architects and a handpicked team of expert masons, painstakingly recreated the building to it’s former grandeur. The task was not easy as it was almost impossible to ascertain the original form of the building from the remnants of its structure. However careful restoration work which involved using same materials that were used in original construction, finally gave shape to the magnificent yellow structure that proudly stands on the riverfront today.

The Tavern offers a cafeteria at the Atrium on the ground floor and decorated rooms on the first floor for stay.

The Grand Entrance of The Denmark Tavern

Close Up view of the Entrance

My Experience at The Denmark Tavern Serampore:

I had been to The Denmark Tavern twice. The catering is run by the Park Hotel group. The restaurant is a multi-cuisine and offers North Indian, Chinese & Bengali food.

The Interior of  The Denmark Tavern

The Decorative Ceiling and the Chandeliers at The Atrium 

On my two visits, I had tried Chinese and snack items like a Fish Fry. The food isn’t outstanding, rather bordering on average. However, if you wish to be part of a rich heritage and willing to experience an ambiance that transports you back to the bygone colonial era, it more than makes up for the middling food on offer.

Pocket pinch for two : approx Rs. 800/-

How to Reach The Denmark Tavern 

Address: Serampore Police Line N.N Roy Street , LP 39, 2/1, Serampore, West Bengal 712201. 

Phone: 033 2652 4736

Hours: (Hours might differ, Do check before going)

Sunday          11am–9:30pm

Monday          11am–9:30pm

Tuesday          11am–9:30pm

Wednesday  11am–9:30pm

Thursday          11am–9:30pm

Friday               11am–9:30pm

Saturday           11am–9:30pm

By Train:

Serampore is a railway station on Howrah Burdwan line and local trains from Howrah are available throughout the day. If you get down at Serampore station, you can hire an Auto-rickshaw or a Toto (Battery Powered Rickshaw) to reach The Denmark Tavern.

By Road.

If you are travelliong from Kolkata after crossing Nivedita Setu / Bally Bridge you need to take G.T. Road. You need to drive straight to Serampore. Once you reach Serampore you will note a road branching off to your right from G.T. Road. This is Rishi Bankim Sarani and this road is leading towards the river. At the end there is a turn left and you will go past the Serampur Walsh Hospital. Keep driving straight and you will reach The Denmark Tavern on the riverfront. 

The following Google Map link has driving directions from Bally Bridge.

Driving Direction to The Denmark Tavern