Blue Frog, Mumbai

When it started off in 2007 as a 400-capacity, six-gigs-a-week restaurant-bar, Blue Frog was considered an over-ambitious venture and was touted to be a failure. Eight years down the lane, it is today the flag-bearer of the live music scene in India.

What to have from there: They offer you a huge range on both veg and non-veg. You should try the pan-seared mutton chops with one of their fancy cocktails.

Celebrities who have performed: Blue Frog has an impressive list of international artists who have performed there- EDM heavyweight Armin Vann Buuren, Anoushka Shankar, Psytrance legends Infected Mushroom, Asian Underground exponent Talvin Singh.

Turquoise Cottage, Saket, New Delhi

TC has a carved a niche for itself as the premier blues-rock place of the capital city since its inception in 1997. An artists’ favorite, TC has a very personal feel about it. A gig here feels less like a gig and more as an artist playing for a group of close friends. It could be this close-to-the heart factor that sets it apart from the other places in the burgeoning live music scene in the city.

What to have from there: They have the choicest of wine collections. If you feel lucky and want to treat yourself, consider one of their French wines.

Celebrities who have performed: Notwithstanding its small, personal image, TC has had huge names like Gypsy Kings playing for them.

Hard Rock Cafe, Bangalore

This legendary chain of theme restaurants that started off in London five decades ago and today has its presence in close to 60 countries. Among the six HRCs in India, there is nothing to choose, both in terms of ambience and the quality of music-each one betters the other. We have chosen to bring you HRC-Bangalore only for our love-affair with this resplendent city. With a great crowd, amazing decor and some of the biggest names in the music industry on the performing list- HRC is where every Bangalorean heads to liven up the night.

What to have from there: You can always go for something unusual from their Namma Bengaluru menu, and they also have some great choice in Margaritas (with or without a straw!)

Celebrities who have performed: they have most of the top musicians- Indian Ocean, Advaita to name a few.

Shisha Jazz Cafe, Pune

Dynamic drumbeats, tuneful guitars and soulful saxophones fuse together to create a magical ambience that sets the perfect tone for this Iranian cafe built on a farmhouse on the outskirts of Pune. With a yearly jazz festival held in the month of August, Shisha is a favorite as much for its delectable Iranian cuisine as it is for the amazing music and a lovely crowd.

What to have from there: You go to Shisha for the Iranian food. So no points for guessing what you should have there. Indulge in the best Iranian food you can get in the country with maybe a bottle of Jacob’s Creek.

Celebrities who have performed: Magic Malik, Gary Lawyer and some lesser known but no less talented jazz artists from around the world.

The post Live’ing It Up : Places to Enjoy Live Music in India appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.