Delhi’s live entertainment scene has seen a lot of growth over the years. From live music to stand up comedy, here are some fun ways to spend the night out in Delhi.
1. The Piano Man Jazz Club
With the intention of giving local artists a much-needed spotlight, this jazz bar named after Billy Joel’s hit single has built a renowned reputation since its opening. Here, the artist is literally the centre of the stage; there is a strict no-talking policy during performances for the musician’s sake. “What we get at Piano Man, in one word, is respect. We are not an ornament flung on to make the place look good,” says a performer at Piano Man.
2. Depot48
Depot48 prides itself with casting a wider net for the artists they are willing to host. Everything from conventional Bollywood to Sufi music can be heard from Depot48’s walls. Just to give you a taste of their coverage, they once hosted an event to appreciate Bob Dylan’s work. Speaking of taste, they place equal attention to the food as well. The burgers are the customer’s favourite, especially their lamb burgers.
If you want a peek into Delhi’s music scene without any expectations, head to Depot48 for a refreshing night.
3. Summer House Cafe, Hauz Khas
With the aim to replicate the vibe of an American summer house, this cafe wants you to have good food to go with a great night out. From hip-hop to reggae, they will play anything to get you in the rhythm. Even Coldplay’s Chris Martin was charmed by the restaurant before deciding to perform an impromptu gig for their tipsy customers.
4. Kitty Su
Kitty Su is Delhi’s trendiest nightclub. They’re known for playing intense electronic dance and house music. Gigs from international artists are also quite common at Kitty Su; they’ve had names like Hardwell and Carnage. It also happens to be a sanctuary for Delhi’s LGBT community. It’s reasonable to say that they are Delhi’s largest bastion for the drag scene.
Kitty Su is definitely the place to be for an introduction to Delhi’s nightlife scene.
5. 38 Barracks
If you’re looking for a place that has more of a rustic-indie feel to it, this is the place for you. 38 Barracks is a hip and trendy bar/restaurant that sits in Connaught Place. Apart from acoustic, they occasionally host DJs to add a bit of spice to the dimly lit ambience. They also host the occasional stand-up gigs.
6. Playground Comedy Studio
Playground Comedy Studio is Delhi's first full-time comedy club. They get a huge crowd every night from their raw comedy; every night is fresh because they encourage blooming talents. It is important to note that many of their acts will be in Hindi so you might not be able to laugh along if you don’t have a basic grasp of the language.
