Live music is a quintessential element of summer in the city. As the weather gets warmer, Toronto’s streets hum with the melodies of jazz, classical, and rock, beckoning onlookers into cafes and restaurants to discover the music scene’s hidden gems. These performances are more than just entertainment; they’re an immersive experience that brings together diverse cultures, genres, and communities, uniting the urban landscape.

At Bindia, we believe that live music is the perfect accompaniment to our culinary vision. As Toronto’s premiere Indian bistro, we have cultivated an atmosphere that is both stylish and relaxed, social and intimate. Here, patrons can unwind with a cool drink and appetizers on our elegant patio, which overlooks the historic St. Lawrence Market, or dine in with friends, savouring the vibrant flavours of our modern Indian fare. And now, on Friday nights, guests can also experience music from some of today’s best artists as we restart our famous Friday Live Music Nights.

Reintroducing Friday Live Music Nights at Bindia

In keeping with the sophisticated ambiance of our Indian bistro, Bindia’s Friday Live Music Nights will feature a diverse selection of contemporary jazz artists, with an emphasis on Canadian talent. Some of our upcoming performers include:

Julie Michels (April 25): Known for her powerful voice and bold yet precise singing style, jazz artist Julie Michels has honed her musical talent across the world. Though she now lives in Toronto, Julie’s early years were spent travelling Europe and the USA, sampling the sounds of different cultures and genres. She has performed at jazz clubs across Europe, along with several festivals, such as the Glasgow Music Festival, the Bridgeport Music Festival, the Aaran Musical Festival, the North Sea Jazz Festival and the Utrecht Festival in Holland.

In recent years, Julie Michels has distinguished herself on the Canadian music scene, drawing enthusiastic reviews at the Toronto Jazz Festival, Ottawa Jazz Festival, and Merrickville Jazz Festival. Her re-imaginings of popular classics, such as Walkin’ After Midnight, Fever, and It Ought to Be Easier, demonstrate both her incredible vocal range and fresh, inventive approach to jazz singing.

Alan Cohen (May 2, 9, 23 and 30): A renowned pianist, vocalist, and composer, Alan Cohen has electrified audiences across Canada and the USA for the past 12 years as the leader of the Alan Cohen Orchestra. His varied repertoire includes jazz, blues, and R&B, showing the breadth of his singular talent as a pianist, though he has professed a particular love for soft jazz. A longtime favourite of the Toronto live music scene, Alan Cohen is a repeat performer at Bindia and a regular collaborator with some of the city’s top musicians and vocalists, including The Bentley Collective, Bob Brough, and Tracey Gallant.

Gavin Hope (May 16): Gavin Hope is a three-time Juno Award Nominee who got his start in the world of pop, singing baritone in the famous Canadian a cappella group, The Nylons. As his sound matured, he transitioned into minimalist jazz; his 2013 jazz album, “For All We Know,” was heralded as one of the top Canadian jazz albums of the year, flawlessly capturing his soulful voice.

Gavin is also a compelling presence on the stage, having appeared as an original Canadian cast member in Broadway’s The Lion King and RENT. He has also shared the stage with numerous greats as a solo vocalist, performing alongside Natalie Cole, Deborah Cox, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin, among others. Today, Gavin is best known for his work with Jeans n’ Classics, which delights audiences with live symphonic renditions of pop classics.

Ted Quinlan (June 6): Regarded as one of Canada’s best guitar players, Ted Quinlan balances a successful career as a jazz recording artist with his role as a leading guitar educator and writer. His expert guitar playing has accompanied many of today’s best performers, including Chet Baker, Freddie Hubbard, Jimmy Smith, and Joey DeFrancesco, and his debut album, “As If,” received a Juno nomination for Contemporary Jazz.

Ted Quinlan’s latest album, Absolutely Dreaming, captures his love of travel. Over nine original compositions, it paints landscapes in soft melodies, from life in small town Cape Breton to the Long Island seaside and streets of Berlin. Along the way, Ted Quinlan and his bandmates (pianist Brian Dickinson, bassist Kieran Overs, and drummer Ted Warren) demonstrate their impressive improvisational skills, adding inventive, unexpected twists to their modern jazz tunes.

Join Us for Cocktails, Mocktails, Appetizers, and More

As you enjoy soft jazz music from the artists above, we invite you to join us for Happy Hour (3 pm – 5:30 pm). New for spring, we have Indian-inspired cocktails, such as the Spicy Margarita and Mango Martini, along with refreshing mocktails made with delicious fresh fruit.

To pair with your drink, try an appetizer from our Spring Menu, such as our crispy golden Crab Cakes (seasoned with Indian spices and goat cheese), Shrimp Korma (succulent seasoned shrimp in rich cashew sauce), or fresh Watermelon Salad, a delightfully crisp blend of baby spinach, watermelon, cucumber and feta cheese.

When You Visit Bindia, You Support the Community

Along with amplifying the work of Canadian music artists, Bindia is committed to supporting the local food-producing community. To ensure perfect freshness and enhance the rich flavour of our recipes, we use Ontario-grown ingredients whenever possible at our family-owned Indian restaurant. Since 2015, we have received FeastOn Certification in recognition of our support for local food producers; to earn FeastOn Certification, a restaurant must source at least 25% of its inventory from within Ontario. As such, when you enjoy a luxurious meal at Bindia, you can rest assured that you’re eating locally – supporting the farmers and producers of Ontario.

Book Your Reservation Today

Bindia’s Friday Live Music Nights are a wonderful opportunity to discover today’s best jazz musicians, and seats are in high demand. To ensure a table at the music night of your choice, we encourage you to book a reservation via our website.

We look forward to welcoming you to Bindia, home of Toronto’s finest contemporary Indian cuisine.

Get ready for a great experience!

Bindia Indian Bistro | 16 Market Street, Toronto ON | 416-863-0000

Enjoy Standout Performances at Bindia’s Friday Live Music Nights

Reintroducing Friday Live Music Nights at Bindia

Join Us for Cocktails, Mocktails, Appetizers, and More

When You Visit Bindia, You Support the Community

Book Your Reservation Today

Get ready for a great experience!