9 places in Bangalore to get your music live!

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Despite having a deadline for the nightlife, Bangalore still rules the roost when it comes to pubs and watering holes in India. There are no surprises that with over 150 pubs all across the city, Bangalore is the Pub capital of the country. However, apart from catering to the tipple seekers, there are some establishments that blend food and beverage with great music and energising live acts.

Here’s a list of 9 best venues where the who’s who of Bangalore’s music scene are likely to perform

B Flat

Image source: highonscore.com
Image source: highonscore.com

From Jazz to rock and to even blending music with visually unsettling imagery, B Flat has hosted it all. It has been the perfect venue for bands that are looking for a platform to showcase their talents, or even the more established of the creative sorts looking for a canvas for their artistic expression. While the uninitiated acknowledge and know B Flat for the shows and artists it hosts, a noteworthy fact is that they have a pretty awesome kitchen too. While the food at B Flat is delicious to say the least, the bar counter has the choicest cocktails and IMFL in stock and the service is friendly and courteous.

B Flat (and Highnote Bar)
HAL 2nd Stage, 100 feet road, Indiranagar.

Opus

Image source: mensxp.com
Image source: mensxp.com

From jazz and blues acts, to metal men, from musical productions to karaoke nights – Opus has been there, done that. It wouldn’t be wrong to describe Opus as a movement, rather than just a venue. Opus has captured almost every global and local occasion, blended pop-culture into their productions and built the brand into one of the coolest places to be in the city. The setting is said to be Goan inspired, but we’ve had people walking in and thinking of it as a Greek-themed establishment. The reason why Opus has emerged as one of the frontrunners in gazumping even the mundane is the fact that their management takes active interest in everything from the aesthetics, creativity, music, food and beverages. Note: The slightly bigger Opus In The Creek in Whitefield is popular among those who live in the East side of the city.

Opus
1st Main, Chakravarthy Layout, Palace Cross Road, Sankey Road

Opus In The Creek
Seetharampalya, ITPL Main Road, Whitefield

Take 5

Image source: buzzintown.com
Image source: buzzintown.com

Due to the proximity, music lovers often have to choose between Take 5 and B Flat. Of course, musical choices and tastes help one decide which place to head to eventually. Having said that, Take 5 has a rather loyal following. Take 5 is more inclined towards Jazz, Blues and Classic Rock. They haven’t been known to be too experimental this far, but have hosted young bands, stand up comedy shows, global music and Karaoke nights. They have a great menu and dining at Take 5 is incomplete without their steaks or anything grilled. Of course, it serves as a popular watering hole as well.

Take 5
MSK Plaza, 2nd floor, 100 feet road, Indiranagar

Hard Rock Cafe

Image source: highonscore.com
Image source: highonscore.com

It’s been referred to as the closest you can get to the American pub life, without having to carry your passport with you. Rock n’ Roll memorabilia and the epitome of American food – big and meat-heavy burgers – Hard Rock Cafe is known for that. If you are a classis music fan, you are likely to be lost in yesteryears as this place is a haven for you. Instruments and clothes worn by legendary musicians will keep you captivated. Musically speaking, Hard Rock hosts a battle of bands that gets a lot of coverage and throws out a new band in the limelight. Of course, they’ve also played host to a number of big bands that Bangaloreans usually get to see only at a large concert venue.

Hard Rock Cafe Bengaluru
St Marks Road

The Humming Tree

Image source: trumpetandtravelnotes.wordpress.com
Image source: trumpetandtravelnotes.wordpress.com

Started by owner Nikhil Barua, who wanted to provide a place for musicians to meet and greet, collaborate, and perform, The Humming Tree prides itself on being a performance based venue first and a nightlife or dining place later. A year and a half since its launch and The Humming Tree has had bands and musicians from diverse genres, states and countries. Apart from being a place where people can catch live acts, and shake off the day with a drink or food, it is also a place where like-minded creative people socialise and network.

The Humming Tree
12th Main Road, Indiranagar

Phoenix Marketcity

Image source: phoenixmarketcitybangalore.com
Image source: phoenixmarketcitybangalore.com

It’s huge. Those who go here for the first time, are likely to gape in wonder at this large sprawling melange of retail and commercial establishments. Apart from catering to the shopaholic in you, the mall also caters to your musical cravings. They have provided a stage for everyone from bathroom singers, to struggling musicians and even big names. Being a mall, there are multiple options for you to grab some refreshments, and if the music or performance isn’t to your taste, you go shop. Sounds like a match made in a mall rat’s heaven, doesn’t it?

Phoenix Marketcity
Mahadevapura, Near KR Puram Flyover, Whitefield Road

Alliance Française de Bangalore

Image source: bangalorecaptured.com
Image source: bangalorecaptured.com

Set in a cozy nook of Vasanthnagar, Alliance Française has come to be recognised as one of the city’s foremost cultural institutions. In the midst of lush greenery, the centre rolls out the red carpet to those artistically inclined and invites them to dip into a variety of experiences from across the globe. Needless to say, music is one of the Alliance Française’s pet offerings and local rock bands often find themselves centre stage here. As part of in-house extravaganzas like the annually-held International Music Day or as opening acts to global rock acts, Alliance Française sure does like to showcase Bangalore’s rock stars with panache.

Alliance Française de Bangalore
Thimmaiah Road, Opposite to UN Building, Vasanth Nagar

Windmill Craftworks

Image source: eventshigh.com
Image source: eventshigh.com

A micro-brewery meets a jazz club – that description probably doesn’t do justice to Windmill Craftworks. True, they brew their own beers. True, they have a fondness for jazz musicians and aficionados. But, it is much more than that. It’s a fantastic place for an ‘after office’ get together, team party or group outing. Windmills looks so visually appealing that once you get there, the distance you’ve travelled to get here doesn’t matter. You focus on the ambience, the great food and drink and of course, the music in the offing. Apart from jazz, they have also been inclusive in terms of music and showcase bands that range from folk, global, funk to reggae.

Windmill Craftworks
Road No. 5B, EPIP, Next to KTPO, Whitefield

Indigo Live Music Bar

Image source: nh7.in
Image source: nh7.in

Owned by the popular English music FM Radio station, Radio Indigo, Indigo Live calls itself Bangalore’s first music bar. The interiors are literally a piece of art. Put together by international graffiti artists Sickboy and Ben Allen, the walls are colourful, fascinating and innovative. Even their menu has a very music oriented feel (notes, instruments and sections named after musical jargon). With a packed calendar of events that range from soloists, bands, DJs and even stand up comics, this place spells style and attitude from the moment to walk in.

Indigo Live Music Bar and Terrace
6th Block, Elite Building, Industrial Layout, Jyoti Nivas College Road, Koramangala

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