Jamal Rehman’s iconic True Brew, once a small but legendary music studio in Lahore’s Gulberg, has reopened in Karachi’s Bukhari Commercial — this time as a coffee house designed to foster creative communities. The original True Brew, which closed six years ago, had served as a hub for musicians like Maanu, Natasha Noorani, Talal Qureshi, Towers, and Asfand, hosting intimate gigs and jam sessions that became the backbone of Lahore’s indie music scene.
Rehman, who has shifted his focus from music production to filmmaking, said True Brew 2.0 is a “coffee and community” concept aimed at bringing together filmmakers, musicians, artists, and writers. Unlike its Lahore predecessor, the Karachi space is larger and more open, with espresso machines replacing music gear, floor cushions swapped for café chairs, and semi-finished walls instead of soundproofed studios.
Read More: Karachi — of bridges and divides
The café will still host curated live gigs, film screenings, discussions, and creative workshops, alongside a reading nook stocked with film books. According to Rehman, the goal is to spark ideation through conversation, with coffee serving as the catalyst for creative collaboration. “A perfect day at the new True Brew would be lots of coffee consumed over interesting conversations with people,” he said.
While some fans may wonder if a multi-art space can recreate the intimate, tightly-knit vibe of the original True Brew, Rehman believes the “magic is in curation.” By carefully curating events and collaborations, he hopes the Karachi edition will become a cultural hub reminiscent of Lahore’s original community-driven ethos, blending art, music, and film under one roof.
Read More: The coffee guide to Colombo, Sri Lanka
True Brew Karachi is officially launching this Friday, inviting the city’s creative minds to sip coffee, connect, and maybe spark the next wave of art in Pakistan.