Theatre
Theatre is a key part of Bengaluru’s entertainment scene, adding a cultural gloss to the city’s nightlife. The most popular theatre styles in Bengaluru are political satire and family-friendly comedy, and the language spoken is usually a mix of Kannada or Hindi with English, meaning you’ll be laughing along with the local audience.
The Ravindra Kalakshetra is an enduringly popular hub of live entertainment. Based in central Bengaluru, this modish 1960s building holds over 1,000 people in its vast auditorium, and - as a cultural centre - showcases not only theatre, but live dance and flamboyant puppetry.
Jayachamaraja Wodeyar Road, Bengaluru 560 002.
Ranga Shankara
The Ranga Shankara's sleek, angular auditorium centres around a smooth wooden stage with amphitheatre-like seating. The capacity is relatively small, creating an inclusive, intimate atmosphere. With several plays a week, and a buzzing bar on site, it's the perfect place to soak up India's avant-garde culture and even mingle with the actors after a show.
No.36/2, 8th Cross Road, Bengaluru 560078.
Bars
Bengaluru’s bar scene has seen a boom in recent years, thanks to the influx of wealth from its flourishing IT industry. Now, there are more high-end cocktail bars and ritzy, laid-back lounges than ever. Blue Bar
Situated in the paradise-like grounds of the glitzy Taj West End Hotel, this chilled out space - lined with intricate oriental silks and stippled by honey-colored candles - has a vast cocktail menu, but also provides a wide selection of fine beers and whiskies. With drinks like curry leaf martinis on offer, it's a literal taste of India.
Racecourse Road, Bengaluru 560001.
Cinemas
Bengaluru is the proud home of the Cinema of Karnataka, a major part of the Indian film industry. With dozens of films produced there a year, it’s no surprise that Bengaluru values its film culture highly. Catch a show at one of the many complex or independent centrally located cinemas.
This futuristic, 3D digital cinema complex is a hip and happening entertainment spot, nightly filling its seats with students, professionals, and travellers alike. The huge, jaw-dropping cinema screens show both the top current Indian films - often with English subtitles - and the best international films.
40 Lal Bagh Road, Bengaluru 560027.
Live music
Bengaluru is famed for its live music, with some key music seasons during the year - the Ramanavami festival in April and the Dusshera festival September. While there is a transcendental classical music tradition, there’s also plenty of head-banging, toe-tapping contemporary music, played in venues dotted around the city.
This flashy live music bar - with warm ambient lighting and old school vinyl records lining the walls - is one of the best places to catch some contemporary live music. Its spacious stage, standing tables and roomy dance floor provide the ideal atmosphere for you to listen to Bengaluru’s best live jazz, blues, and the city’s signature genre - Bengaluru Rock.
Jyoti Nivas College Road, Bengaluru 560034.
