Restaurant India News: High Note Opens in Bandra as Mumbai’s First Retro Music Bar

High Note, Mumbai's first retro music bar, has officially opened in Bandra this June, bringing a music-centric hospitality experience inspired by the sounds and culture of the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s. Spread across 2,000 sq. ft., the venue has been launched by a team of music enthusiasts who wanted to create a dedicated space where classic music, immersive sound, cocktails and community come together under one roof.

The venue's visual identity has been created by creative studio Dallas Company, known for projects such as Porto & Poie, The Pantry Cafe, I Think Fitness Cafe and Bombay Vintage. The design combines vintage influences with contemporary aesthetics, reflecting the bar's vision of reimagining nostalgia for a modern audience. The venue's programming focuses on classic rock, rock and roll, retro pop, old-school hip-hop, chart-topping hits and themed music nights, alongside curated vinyl listening sessions.

A key highlight of the venue is its emphasis on sound quality. High Note is equipped with a state-of-the-art L-Acoustics sound system engineered to deliver high-fidelity audio throughout the space. The installation including custom side-fills designed by industry veteran Roger Drego, has been fine-tuned to provide an immersive listening experience for both live performances and vinyl playback sessions.

The cocktail menu has been curated by beverage specialist Eluther Gomes and draws inspiration from vintage drinking culture while incorporating contemporary flavours. The selection includes pre-prohibition classics, retro-inspired cocktails, sangrias and beer-based drinks popular during the disco era.

Among the signature offerings are SoundCheck Highball, made with American whiskey, clarified coconut water and green mango; High Note No. 5, featuring saffron-infused gin, brandy and lemongrass; Cassette Negroni, a savoury twist on the classic cocktail with tahini-washed gin and coffee notes; and BackStage Pass, a tequila-based drink layered with roasted corn, cranberry tea and smoky rosemary.

What makes High Note different is the intent: that of reclaiming a slice of Bandra’s buzzing life that once belonged to small pubs, parish fêtes, by lanes, and late-night hangouts and balancing it with good food and fellowship. “For me, this is about reclaiming a space Bandra once had: where a people would gather around records and stories,” believes founder Shreyas Rathod. “High Note is a total of all those sensibilities, adapted for now.”

The kitchen, led by Chef Gracian De Souza, offers generous sharing plates and interesting bar bites curated for long company and longer banter. Dishes are easy on the palate, full of flavour, and built to pair with tête-à-têtes and tunes. “With High Note, we wanted to create a home for music, not a theme bar,” reveals Chef Gracian De Souza. 

With seating for 80 guests, High Note has been designed as a destination for music lovers seeking a relaxed and nostalgic evening experience.