As for the music — from legendary English guitarist John McLaughlin, trance act Infected Mushroom, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Gotye and Indian guitar demigod Amyt Datta to sitar player Anoushka Shankar and tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain — Blue Frog played host to an array of interesting and important artistes.
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However, a curtain call for the club came in 2016 due to issues with the landlord. But the financials of Blue Frog Media, which was originally founded by Mathai, music composers Ashutosh Phatak and Dhruv Ghanekar, fund manager Simran Mulchandani and film producer Srila Chatterjee, also weakened after the Mumbai venue closed. Back then the company also comprised a recording studio, an independent record label and artiste management services. In 2020, it filed for bankruptcy followed by insolvency proceedings.
A decade after it closed its doors, the Frog is leaping back and will be reopening in Mumbai. Mahesh Mathai, founder and owner of Blue Frog, confirmed its opening to The Indian Express. Mathai is being joined by Suresh and Karan Bhojwani of Bright Brothers Ltd and Jehan Johar, former Head of Electronic music, Blue Frog, as partners in the new project.
The club will open its doors in March/April 2026 at Ballard Pier, which is set across seafront land and also features a new international cruise terminal. The area is being planned as a 24-hour space for entertainment, dining and cultural experiences. “It’s a beautiful place with a view of the sea. I can confirm that Blue Frog is opening,” said Mathai, who added that this will be a smaller venue than earlier, and that he is likely to plan the club in other areas in the city. “Mumbai is changing. There are so many areas now. It’s not all about just Parel and BKC (Bandra-Kurla Complex),” said Mathai, who revived the company in 2024.