If you have scrolled through videos of DJs playing at cafés or at open kitchens, know that this is now the new way to party. Coffee shops are playing host to underground events that invite music lovers to come by, groove and discover new artistes. The Internet first saw such gigs at bakeries in Amsterdam and London, and later, New York. And now, Mumbai, Delhi, Surat, Nagpur, Lucknow, Hyderabad, and Indore among other cities in India, are hopping on.

The most recent “coffee raves” to surface on Instagram feeds have been by Tanishq, a DJ and producer who is currently touring and transforming coffee bar counters into his DJ booth. His More Coffee More Rave tour has seen him perform in Indore and Gurugram and will bring him to the Japan-inspired cafe Mokai in Bandra West on January 17, 2025. But why did he decide to be at the decks inside a coffee shop? “I was bored of the same club routine,” he says, adding, “We have never given so much importance to music before. These coffee raves are pure music—the focus is not on the alcohol or what the venue looks like. As there’s no alcohol or a late night, teenagers can attend as well; age is not a barrier. You can be an introvert or a non-drinker and still have fun.” His first-ever coffee rave was in his hometown, Nagpur. “The coffee bar became the DJ booth, and the cafe’s employees were making coffee around me, offering me a coffee shot in the middle of my set. It was great!” he says.