Introducing Baroke: Mumbai’s First Vinyl-Only Listening Bar, Where Music Takes Centre Stage

In a city of fleeting trends and endless noise, Baroke offers something deeper, more deliberate, a space where analogue sound, immersive interiors, and sensorial cocktails come together to create a new kind of cultural ritual. Nestled in the heart of South Mumbai, this 84-cover destination is Mumbai’s first vinyl-only listening bar, where the music isn’t just heard, it’s revered. With over 220 handpicked records spanning Jimi Hendrix, Stan Getz, The Doors, George Benson, Bryan Adams, and Dave Brubeck, Baroke pays tribute to the golden eras of music from the ’60s to the ’90s in a setting that invites you to truly listen.

Globally, listening rooms are designed for people who want to listen, where music plays on analogue systems, vinyl is the format of choice, and sound quality takes precedence over volume. At Baroke, this ethos is reimagined as a vibrant, contemporary listening bar, where guests don’t just sit in silence; they engage, unwind, and let the music lead the mood.

Every evening at Baroke, an in-house Vinyl Specialist orchestrates a vinyl-only soundscape with no skipping, no streaming, and no distractions. Just deep, unfiltered grooves that carry the room. The experience is elevated by Klipsch La Scala II speakers, an audiophile’s dream, revered for their clarity and craftsmanship, delivering warm, room-filling sound that does justice to every analog nuance.

The interiors are warm, cozy, and effortlessly inviting for music lovers. Designed by renowned interior designer Rohit Bohite, the mind behind La Pantera, the space features intimate lighting, earthy tones, sculpted concrete elements, and rich walnut wood that set the stage for an evening of comforting indulgence. At its heart is a custom DJ console surrounded by crates of vinyl, setting the tone for a soulful sonic journey. A thoughtful blend of plush sofas and acoustically mindful communal tables welcome up to 60 guests. Adding a layer of introspection to the experience is the dedicated headphone zone, a quiet corner inspired by Japanese listening rooms, where guests can slip into their own curated soundscape for moments of deep, personal listening.

Baroke is the brainchild of Saurabh Krishna Shetty, a seasoned hospitality professional and IHM Goa/S.P. Jain alumnus. After a solo road trip across the US, punctuated by dive bars, record stores, and sonic spaces, Shetty returned with a vision: to bring music back to the centre of social life. “We didn’t just want to play music, we wanted people to really listen. A true listening bar isn’t about how loud the music is, it’s about how present you are with it. Every track, every vinyl crackle, every quiet moment is part of the experience. It’s about creating a space where music isn’t in the background, it’s the reason you’re there,” says Shetty.

To complement the music, Baroke features a signature cocktail program by Jishnu Some, an award-winning mixologist who previously led bar programs at Ekka and Bombay Daak. Jishnu has crafted nine exclusive cocktails for Baroke, each bringing its own flavour profile and nuance to the experience. Highlights include the Mango Chilli, with tequila, clarified mango, roasted chilli tincture, and a mango sphere that bursts on the palate, and the Vetiver Gimlet, made with khus-infused gin and flavour pods that evolve with every sip. These are drinks designed to be sipped slowly, in sync with the sounds around you.

The culinary offering is designed with the same level of intentionality, a compact yet expressive tapas-style menu that complements the listening journey. Divided into Fresh, Spice, Familiar, Umami, and Sweet, each plate plays its part. Highlights include Kerala-style mutton fry with paratha, miso-glazed chicken with sticky rice, crispy fish tacos with kimchi, and a cucumber-green apple-fennel salad with avocado mousse.

And for those who want to take the experience home, Baroke also features a curated vinyl shop. From collector’s gems to cult favourites, every record is handpicked because, at Baroke, the music doesn’t end when you leave.