Aditya Birla New Age Hospitality (ABNAH) has expanded its premium hospitality portfolio with the launch of NAMI, an intimate vinyl listening bar in Bandra West, Mumbai. Designed around Japanese listening-bar culture, the new concept brings together high-fidelity sound, curated music, Japanese-Italian cuisine and a specialised cocktail programme, positioning itself as a different kind of nightlife destination in the city.
Unlike conventional bars and nightclubs, where music generally complements the dining or drinking experience, NAMI places music at the centre of its proposition. The 25-seat venue has been designed as an intimate space where guests can experience carefully selected vinyl records, sophisticated audio engineering and a more considered approach to socialising.
The launch, announced on November 8, 2026, adds another experiential hospitality concept to ABNAH's growing portfolio, which includes premium dining, lifestyle and entertainment destinations.
A Japanese-Inspired Listening Bar Concept
NAMI takes inspiration from Japan's traditional listening-bar culture, where music is treated as an experience in itself rather than background entertainment. The concept has been adapted for Mumbai's contemporary hospitality audience, bringing together music enthusiasts, creative professionals and guests looking for a more immersive nightlife experience.
The brand's name comes from the Japanese word for a wave or ripple, reflecting the relationship between sound, movement and atmosphere.
The philosophy behind the venue also draws from the Japanese concept of Shoshin, which translates to a beginner's mind. It encourages people to approach experiences with openness and curiosity, an idea that informs NAMI's approach to music, food and hospitality.
The venue combines a dedicated listening environment with a social setting and a small dancefloor, allowing guests to experience music in different ways throughout the evening.
High-Fidelity Audio Technology Takes Centre Stage
One of NAMI's defining features is its specialised audio infrastructure. Rather than relying on conventional nightclub sound equipment, the venue has invested in an audiophile-grade system designed to deliver greater clarity, depth and detail.
The setup reportedly includes India's first multicell horn speaker system, handmade in Indonesia, alongside Technics SL-1210 MK2 turntables and a Resør rotary mixer built in Berlin. The turntables have also undergone refurbishment by MasterSounds, while acoustic planning has been handled by Munro Acoustics.
The emphasis on specialised audio equipment reflects the venue's broader positioning as a dedicated music-listening destination.
Music programming is another central part of the experience. NAMI's selection moves across genres including jazz fusion, spiritual jazz, soul, world disco, trip-hop, house and electronica.
Its resident talent includes Owlist, a hip-hop and lo-fi music producer from Jaipur, and Mumbai-based DJ and tastemaker Anisha Parwani. The venue's programming also features Indian and international selectors, with artists including Jayesh Veralkar, Ani Phoebe, Dreamstates, Sindhi Curry, Zokhuma, Jitwam and Que Sakamoto.
Before its formal opening, NAMI hosted an invite-only Hard Hat Party in August 2026, bringing together approximately 100 creatives, DJs and tastemakers. The event featured Osaka-born, Berlin-based DJ Tomoki Tamura.
Japanese-Italian Cuisine and a Cocktail Programme from Singapore
Alongside its music offering, NAMI has developed a food and beverage programme that complements its listening-bar identity.
The food menu follows the Itameshi concept, which combines Japanese ingredients and flavours with Italian culinary techniques. Developed by Chef Akanksha, the menu focuses on smaller plates designed for sharing, allowing guests to enjoy food without taking attention away from the music experience.
The cocktail programme has been developed in collaboration with Singapore-based Sago House, a bar recognised in Asia's 50 Best Bars and The World's 50 Best Bars rankings.
The drinks programme takes inspiration from the relationship between music and frequency, with cocktails developed around individual sonic influences. The selection includes highballs, lower-alcohol drinks and more elaborate cocktail creations featuring distinctive flavour combinations and presentation.
The approach reinforces NAMI's positioning as a venue where music, food and beverages are designed to work together rather than operate as separate offerings.
Interior Design Inspired by Sound and Movement
NAMI's physical environment has been developed to reflect its music-led identity.
Patch Design Studio has handled the interior design, while Indo Anglo Studio has developed the brand identity and visual communication.
The interiors incorporate a wave-shaped bar counter, acoustic wall panels and programmable lighting that creates rippling patterns across the ceiling. The design also draws inspiration from Chladni figures, geometric patterns formed when vibrating surfaces respond to different sound frequencies.
Japanese visual references have been combined with Indian cultural elements, including influences from rangoli and kolam patterns. Warm materials, carefully planned lighting and acoustic treatments help create an intimate environment that contrasts with the surrounding urban atmosphere.
The venue's relatively discreet entrance and staircase further contribute to the transition from the busy streets of Bandra into its dedicated listening environment.
NAMI Adds Another Concept to ABNAH's Expanding Hospitality Portfolio
Founded in 2021 by Aryaman Vikram Birla, Aditya Birla New Age Hospitality has been building a portfolio of differentiated food, beverage and lifestyle businesses.
Its existing portfolio includes brands such as Hakkasan, Yauatcha, Nara Thai, CinCin, Ode, Waarsa, Jolie's and Supa San, spanning international dining concepts, premium restaurants and experiential hospitality destinations.
NAMI represents another approach within this portfolio, focusing on music culture and intimate social experiences rather than conventional restaurant dining.
The company's expansion strategy also extends beyond premium dining. In February 2026, ABNAH announced a strategic partnership with Danish café chain JOE & THE JUICE to bring the brand to India. The partnership signals its interest in exploring additional food-service formats catering to evolving consumer preferences.
Experiential Hospitality Emerges as a Differentiator
NAMI's launch comes as India's premium hospitality and nightlife market increasingly explores experiences that extend beyond conventional food and beverage offerings.
For operators, creating distinctive environments around music, culture, design and community offers another way to differentiate their businesses in competitive urban markets.
With just 25 seats, NAMI follows an intimate format that prioritises curated experiences and a specialised audience over conventional high-capacity nightlife operations. Its model combines international creative collaborations with a locally positioned hospitality experience.
The concept also raises interesting questions about the commercial potential of smaller, experience-led venues in India's major cities, particularly around repeat visits, customer spending and community-driven brand loyalty.
For Aditya Birla New Age Hospitality, NAMI adds a music-focused dimension to its growing portfolio and reflects a broader ambition to develop hospitality destinations built around distinctive consumer experiences.
Rather than simply opening another bar in Mumbai, the company is bringing a specialised listening-bar format to the city's evolving nightlife landscape.