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Siyah Arthouse, a rooftop haven best known for hosting affordable, Gen Z-run music gigs and youth-led events in Delhi, announced it had to shut shop this week.
Among other things, the Saket spot was one of the cornerstones for Delhi’s underground metal scene (and sometimes, genres like shoegaze), with heavy lineup nights like Shab-e-Siyah alongside homage shows like their TOOL and Ozzy Osbourne tribute gigs. These riffs shared a schedule with Cinergy indie film showcases, filmmaker Q&As, and practical masterclasses like Devanshu Singh’s director workshops. Their calendar was roundly eclectic. You had Kalakar Bazaar art swaps, open-mic comedy, late-night screamy karaoke, vinyl listening sessions. They also hopped onto the slew of bar lectures across the city.
I can’t tell you how romanticised that lift at the bottom of Siyah Arthouse's building is. Once you were up, even if sets began late, you were fully sorted bar, snacks, and wooden tables and benches on the terrace for rambling conversations. Personally, they also served as the perfect quiet zone for dealing with overstimulation at a gig.
For now, the team has teased a potential return in a ‘different shape’. I first heard of Siyah Arthouse’s closure unprompted from gig organisers at an unrelated concert. Wherever and if they choose to pop up next, you can expect the dedicated community they built over late-night sets over cocktails and DIY markets to follow.