On World Music Day, Kolkata is celebrating with gusto with various musical events and musical weekends happening around the city. Kolkata’s music scene is flourishing with restaurants and venues hosting all genres of live performances. My Kolkata spoke to a few locals about their favourite live music haunts, proving that when it comes to good tunes, Kolkata knows how to jazz things up!
Here’s what they said…
Golden times at Trincas
Colonel Singh chooses Trincas
We spotted Colonel Singh listening to the tunes of The Mel Samuel Blues band at Little Bit Sober when we approached him. The music lover couldn’t help but reminisce when we asked him about his favourite place. “I have been coming to the clubs in Kolkata since the 1950s. And I would say Trincas still has to be that place for live music. From the ambience to the music it still holds that charm,” said the colonel who fought in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971.
Acoustics at AMPM for the win
Gaurav Kaviraj’s venue of choice is AMPM Kolkata
Tea taster Gaurav Kaviraj’s long nights at work keep him from stepping out often —“Sometimes due to client meetings it’s hard to get weekends off either” — but he has a favourite live music place in the city. “AMPM! I just love the acoustics over there; the sound is great,” he said. What sets the place apart, according to Gaurav, is the audience who come there to enjoy the music, and one of the gigs that he remembered was by bassist Aditya Servaia. “I really enjoyed it.”
Dalhousie Institute for the choosy listener
Srishti Sengupta loves listening to (right) Blue Mist perform at Dalhousie Institute
As a Crossfit trainer, Srishti Sengupta is usually in bed by 10pm, as she packs as many activities as she can in one day. But when she does get the time to let her hair down, she chooses selective places to enjoy herself. When we asked about her live music experience, she thought a bit, and then said, “Dalhousie Institute. I know it’s not a ‘place’ for live music but I love watching Blue Mist perform there.” As a fan of old-school retro music, she loves to dance to it!
Spoilt for choice in Kolkata
Ruchita Biswas said she is spoiled for choice but Little Bit Sober made it to her list
With Kolkata’s live music scene booming, several venues are standing out. Heritage spaces like the Broadway Hotel and Trincas, long celebrated for their live band gigs, are now attracting younger bands that still embody the old-world charm. And for graphic designer Ruchita Biswas, “the mix of vintage vibes and fresh talent is just magical.”
Some newer spots, like AMPM, Little Bit Sober, and Skinny Mo’s Jazz Club, are the must-visits for her. “They’ve curated some of the best gigs I’ve seen in recent years, from blues to jazz to soft rock,” she said, adding that Kolkata’s music scene is truly hitting all the right notes!
Someplace Else wins with audience and great management
Ayush Ray confidently picks Someplace Else
Ayush is a full-time businessman and part-time rager. You will find him having the time of his life as he enjoys all kinds of music. So, when we asked about his favourite venue, he is confident about his pick. “Someplace Else,” he said, because “the crowd involves people who enjoy live music and you see people of all ages.” The band he loves attending at SPE is The Urban Monkz. Another reason he loves SPE is because of their management. “I have barely witnessed any bar fights or couples fighting. It’s full of good people.”
