3 ways to find new music for restaurants (not Spotify)

It goes without saying – music plays an important role in setting the mood for any restaurant. These days, it’s easier than ever to tap into ready-made playlists on platforms like Spotify. In fact, Spotify’s algorithm is so clever, it recommends tracks based on your listening habits. Convenient, right? 

But here’s the thing: with convenience often comes a loss of personality. That unique vibe you want to create can start to fade – especially when you walk through restaurants, bars, and shops in your city and hear the same handful of tracks everywhere. Not exactly inspiring. 

Now, we’re not here to tell you to ditch Spotify. It’s still a powerful tool for discovering new music. But if you want your space to stand out – and serve up a sound as fresh as your menu – here are three alternative ways to add some flavour to your playlists. Because your restaurant deserves the best vibes in town, just in time for summer. 

1. Indie Shuffle:  For handpicked indie, hip hop, and electronic gems  

Let’s kick things off with Indie Shuffle, one of the top music blogs for discovering fresh sounds. Covering genres like indie rock, hip hop, electronica, and remixes, it’s a goldmine for tracks that haven’t been played to death. 

While the blog includes short write-ups for each song – something your guests will never read – those reviews serve a purpose: they ensure every track is carefully curated. No algorithms here, just real people picking great music. A great source if you want your playlist to stand out from the crowd. 

Indie Shuffle also offers a free, easy-to-use app where you can build your own playlists from their selection or dive into specially made ones. 

Here are a few of our favourites: 

Lounge / Trip-hop:  Chilled, sun-drenched vibes for your terrace 

Deep Heat: A smooth, soulful mix to set the mood 

The Dinner Party: Perfectly named and ready for service 

2. Hype Machine:  Your favourite new music database Hype Machine:  Your favourite new music database 

Next up is Hype Machine, a legendary music aggregator that’s been around since 2005. It monitors hundreds of music blogs – including Indie Shuffle – to surface the most talked-about tracks across the web. Their goal? Helping you find “the best new music first.” 

Their app lets you explore each day’s most popular songs based on real-time listener likes. And for those hidden gems that might otherwise get buried, Stacks – editorially curated collections – offer a shortcut to standout tracks. 

Check out this week’s stack 

3. Amazing Radio:  Take a chance on new and emerging artists  

Amazing Radio is all about spotlighting up-and-coming talent, placing fresh voices right alongside some of the most exciting names in new music. If you want your restaurant’s sound to feel ahead of the curve, this is one to check out. 

Live radio might not be ideal for a restaurant setting, but the Amazing Radio app makes it easy to explore handpicked playlists and discover great tracks at your own pace. 

We especially recommend The Amazing Chart – a mix of breakout artists and more established names. You probably won’t know who’s who – and that’s the magic. You get to be one of the first to discover what’s next. 

Listen to The Amazing Chart 

Find your flavour 

Spotify might still be your go-to, and that’s totally fine. But mixing in a few new sources can help keep your restaurant’s sound fresh, original, and full of personality. Whether it’s handpicked blog tracks, trending gems, or emerging artists – these tools give you more ways to craft the perfect vibe. So go on, explore the mix. 

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