Live music venues across Mumbai host artists honouring Bollywood music, classical compositions, pop hits, and more. One of the best things to do in the city is going to a concert, and these popular venues invite music lovers to explore a wide range of genres and discover some seriously spectacular spaces at the same time. From ornate opera houses to live-music bars, here are some of our favourite music venues in Mumbai.
1. National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA)
India’s “largest and most holistic performing arts centre” is the venue to look to for variety. Over 700 events are held at the NCPA annually, from orchestral concerts to world-class theatre. This cultural institution was inaugurated in 1969. And as the first multi-venue in South Asia, the National Centre for the Performing Arts boasts 12 extraordinary venues, including Piramal Art Gallery and Tata Theatre Garden. Discover upcoming events here.
📍 NCPA Marg, Nariman Point, Mumbai
2. Sri Shanmukhananda Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Auditorium
With over 2,000 seats and two balconies, Sri Shanmukhananda Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Auditorium is an impressive space. A popular spot for the best gigs in Mumbai, the auditorium has welcomed the likes of Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Trilok Gurtu, and Zakir Hussain. Between the Bollywood tributes to Sufi fusion bands, concerts inside the main auditorium continue to celebrate India’s talented musicians. Discover what’s on here.
📍 2VJ5+FMP, Namdev Koli Marg, Sion, Mumbai
3. The Royal Opera House
Opera House hosts around 200 concerts and events every year. The only opera house left in India, this special venue was inaugurated by King George V in 1911. Its striking Baroque edifice is hard to miss and its blend of European and Indian architectural styles is sublime. This season, Candlelight concerts are lighting up the opera house’s gorgeous interiors for candlelit tributes to music’s biggest stars. So what are you waiting for? Catch the latest concert in Mumbai at a historic venue that made the 2012 World Monuments Watch.
📍 Shrimad Rajchandraji Marg, Charni Road East, Opera House, Girgaon, Mumbai
4. AntiSOCIAL
An unexpected name for a very social place, antiSOCIAL is a super popular bar and music venue. You can expect to find sports screenings, comedy gigs, and live music shows here. What’s more, it is the basement of the popular Khar Social—an urban-style hangout, workspace, and restaurant. Keep an eye on Antisocial’s upcoming events here.
📍 Basement, Rohan Plaza, 5th Road, S.V. Road, Khar West, Khar
5. Veda Kunba Theatre
Veda Factory is a super creative, Andheri West-based spot where music and theatre comes together. Inside the venue lies Veda Kunba Theatre, an exceptional auditorium with state-of-the-art technology and outstanding acoustics. For this reason, the 224-seat space makes for the ideal setting for Candlelight — a series of enchanting candlelit tributes to the likes of R.D. Burman, Vivaldi and more.
📍Cintaa Tower, near Kokilaben Hospital, Four Bungalows, Andheri West, Mumbai
6. Bonobo
One of the best live music venues in Mumbai for live electronic music acts, Bonobo is a trendy bar in Bandra. Watch a professional DJ work their magic while trying gourmet food in the outdoor area. The offbeat mix of colours, umbrellas, and fabric makes for a memorable evening out in the city. Keep an eye on their Instagram page for events.
📍 2nd floor, Kenilworth Plaza, Off, Linking Rd, Phase II, Bandra West, Mumbai
7. Four Seasons, Worli
The Four Seasons Hotel, Worli is more than just a luxury five-star hotel on the waterfront. Aside from offering top-class services and amenities, this place also houses a show-stopping event space that hosts conferences, receptions and of course, live-music concerts. In fact, the hotel is one of the latest venues to set the scene for the enchanting Candlelight series. Grand features and a lavish decor make this space ideal for musicians to swoon audiences in, especially when they’re illuminated by thousands of twinkling candles.
📍 1/136, Doctor Elijah Moses Road, Gandhi Nagar, Upper Worli, Worli, Mumbai
8. Mehboob Studios
Founded in 1954 by film director Mehboob Khan, Mehboob Studios is an iconic movie studio that has been rented out throughout the years for the production of Bollywood films. Nowadays, the space is used as a place to catch a live-music show as much as it is to film movies in. It’s a particularly popular spot for indie music fans, as twice a month, they host the ‘Live from the Console’ event presented by the indie division of Sony Music India.
📍100, Hill Rd, Ranwar, Bandra West, Mumbai
9. The Asiatic Society Library
The Asiatic Society Library is perhaps best known for its gorgeous facade inspired by Greek style architecture. Both the interior and the exterior of the building have been used as a backdrop for several Bollywood movies, and the library is a go-to spot to catch a live gig in Mumbai. Organised as part of the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, many free concerts take place here throughout the year, most famously on the 30 or so steps outside. Find out more about The Asiatic Society Library here.
📍Town Hall, Shahid Bhagat Singh Rd, Fort, Mumbai