A dimly lit suburban resto bar, quiet chatter, rows of chairs facing a projector screen, one might think it’s trivia night, but no, it’s a lecture on emotional neuroscience. Across cities like Pune, Delhi and Mumbai, pubs and bars are transforming into intimate learning spaces, hosting expert-led talks and niche lecture series. Communities such as Society of Intellectuals (SOI) and Pint of View (POV) are leading this shift — turning nightlife into “thoughtlife.”Where ideas replace idle chatter“I have been working on this since last year. The response has been amazing so far,” says Muskan Bhalla, curator of SOI. “We have people from all age groups attending these sessions. Recently, we had a lecture by IIT Bombay Professor Rohit Manchanda on brain processes and emotional neuroscience. We’ve also had sessions on how plants communicate by Sahil Pawar and even sound healing,” she says.Each event hosts around 80-110 attendees. “It’s very interactive. We have a dedicated 40-minute Q&A after the lecture,” she adds.Bringing science out of the labDr Vidita A. Vaidya from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research conducted a recent session titled ‘Mushroom for Discussion – From Ritual to Research’. “It focused on understanding the brain’s emotional circuitry, how life experiences and mood-modulating substances affect it, and how changes in these circuits underlie disorders like anxiety and depression,” she says. Talking about her experience at POV she adds, “The informal atmosphere converted this into a discussion that spanned a wide spectrum and was a reminder that bringing science out of the lab is always a worthwhile exercise.”Casual spaces, serious conversationsPOV follows a similar format. “Last month we had Sridhar Krishnamoorthy, a scientist, professor, artist and novelist, who delivered a lecture on extra-dimensional explorations,” says co-curator Diya Sengupta.Abhishek Shetty from POV adds, “We’ve received a very positive response from our community over the last six months. People between 20 and 70 are curious about a variety of topics and want to learn in a casual, relaxed environment.”‘This was a refreshingly hatke session’For attendees, the appeal lies in meaningful engagement. Puja Bajaj, a research analyst, says, “These are not pub parties or bar gatherings of meaningless chatter. These are incubators of thought. I’ve attended a few and love them.” Vineet Shah, an advertising executive, adds, “This was a refreshingly hatke session compared to the usual fare we’ve seen over the years. A friend and I recently attended a workshop on financial literacy and investing basics, and walked away impressed by how much we were able to understand and absorb.”How to attend?Keep a tab on their social media pages and register via ticketing platforms. Age restrictions are followed as per government rules for the entry in the restaurants.What is the session all about?The two-hour session is divided into two parts lectures and Q&A sessions. Once settled, attendees are given a choice of their drink and session begins. After the session, people stay back, exchange ideas, share feedback and connect over interesting conversations.Did you know?Inspired by the ‘Lectures on Tap’ format, founded in June 2024 by Felicia and Tyrone Freely in New York City, experts deliver engaging talks inside bars and taverns, blending education with socialising. Mumbai’s communities are now embracing a similar model — pairing knowledge with cocktails and conversation.
