Chennai has long been home to scattered jazz enthusiasts and sporadic performances in hotel lounges, private gigs, and one-night sets. But until now, the city lacked a space truly designed around jazz culture—until Triniti opened its doors at The Residency Towers Chennai. Replacing the former Bike and Barrel, this two-floor venue has been transformed into a contemporary jazz lounge, marking a significant milestone in the city’s nightlife and cultural scene.
The ground floor features a small stage where musicians perform in close proximity to guests, creating an immersive experience. The upper level offers more intimate settings with coupe seating, small tables, and private dining spaces, ideal for relaxed conversations and shared meals. “The bar is called Triniti because it represents the coming together of three things: drinks, ambience, and music. We wanted to create a place for people who like to take things slow, have conversations, and spend time with family and friends,” explains R Manoj Prabhakaran, Executive Sous Chef at The Residency Towers Chennai. The venue’s design and philosophy reflect a deliberate shift toward creating a dedicated space for jazz culture in a city where such venues have been rare.
While the live music brings energy and vibrancy to the space, some patrons may find the volume challenging for conversation, even in the dedicated cigar lounge—an area intended for quiet reflection. This slight inconsistency highlights the challenge of balancing live performance with the relaxed, intimate atmosphere that defines a true jazz lounge.
The culinary experience at Triniti draws deeply from Chennai’s local flavours and cultural heritage. The cocktail menu features drinks inspired by the city’s traditions and ingredients. The Golden Weave, for instance, is inspired by Kanchipuram’s weaving traditions and crafted with turmeric-infused gin, passion fruit, tea syrup, and black lime—offering a smooth, layered flavour profile. Another standout is the Clarinet, made with galangal gin, nannari, banana, matcha, and oxidised wine, delivering a playful yet complex taste. For whiskey and brandy lovers, the Between Columbus and George Town cocktails provide bold, heady pours best enjoyed slowly.
The food menu continues this local focus, blending familiar street-food elements with refined dining. The menu begins with button idli dusted with peanut podi and served with coconut chutney—a nod to Chennai’s popular bar snack culture. The asparagus masala vada, paired similarly with chutney, reimagines the ubiquitous masala vada found at beaches and railway stations. However, the moong dal in philo sheets, meant to emulate Besant Nagar beach sundal, falls short due to dryness and under-seasoning.
Standout dishes include the toddy shack wings, marinated in fermented toddy and char-grilled, served with a sharp inji-puli glaze that adds a tangy punch. The Malabar fish and turmeric leaf croquettes offer a herby, lightly citrusy flavour, perfectly complementing the vodka-forward Crimson cocktail—made with red rice-infused vodka, miso, and red grape. Other menu highlights include curry leaf and parmesan poppers, sea crab tartlets, barbecue pork cubes, and braised mutton folded into flaky parathas. The dishes are designed to be shared slowly over drinks and long conversations, aligning with the venue’s ethos—even if the music occasionally demands a louder voice.
Triniti is located at The Residency Hotel, 49, Gopathy Narayana Rd, Lakshmi Colony, T Nagar. A meal for two, excluding alcohol, is priced at ₹2,500. Reservations can be made by calling 9344912033. With its blend of live jazz, curated local cuisine, and thoughtfully designed spaces, Triniti is poised to become a landmark destination for music and culinary culture in Chennai.
