Now, get a taste of music at The Raft in Bengaluru

Phaipi Doulalsang
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

If you have been to The Raft in Koramangala, then you know the first thing that greets visitors on the terrace floor is the family-run, homemade food menu which has often included everything from pizzas and samosas to falafel and dessert for attendees to indulge in before they head down to the venue.

Now, The Raft is introducing a new cohesive combo with their concert experience called Taste The Music, this weekend.

Leeanne Besterwitch, a member of the family owning The Raft says, “Taste the Music was conceptualised to combine the best elements of The Raft — the food and music.” The evening will bring together a four-course meal, non-alcoholic beverages and retro music by the band Poly’s Pugs. The experience means that tables, dinnerware and seats will be arranged in what is usually a space for standing and watching performing bands. “There will be a retro-themed decor that you need to see to believe,” she adds.

Leeanne Besterwitch
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Leeanne calls it a “twist on fine dining,” adding, “It is meant to allow you to experience food in sync with music. It is curated dining and the only one of its kind for now. This has been brought to you by our family for families to enjoy.”

Across 90 minutes, Poly’s Pugs comprising Leeanne on keys and vocals, Abhishek Harish on bass and vocals, vocalist Anushruti Saha, drummer Pradeep Udaikumar and Phaipi Doulalsang on guitars, will perform the liveliest of tunes. Harish says, “⁠The setlist will feature a primarily retro playlist, featuring artistes such as Abba, The Bee Gees, Stevie Wonder and others.”

At Taste the Music, the setlist and the food is intertwined, with vegetarian and meat options. That includes everything from pumpkin soup and ‘disco wings’ to spaghetti and pot pie to indulge in. For dessert, The Raft has introduced the Dancing Queen Delight, a coconut cream dessert.

Poly’s Pugs, which is an alter ego of the anime and manga-inspired Daisuki Cosplay Band, say they are thrilled to “work on a genuinely unique concept that has not been done in the city before.” Harish says it helps that the band members are “huge foodies” and have curated the setlist to match the dishes as best as they can. “Each dish is going to have a song that plays at exactly the same time as it is served to give each guest a unique experience,” he says.

Leeanne hopes that this idea builds a community of music and food lovers. She adds, “This is the first edition and will be followed by many more, each offering a unique experience. We will feature bands that play a variety of musical genres — from Indo-Western fusion to Latin American.”

Taste the Music with Poly’s Pugs takes place at The Raft, Koramangala on September 20, 7 pm onwards. Tickets inclusive of food are priced at ₹1,699. Details on instagram.com/theraftbangalore