What is a listening bar?

The concept of listening bars, like many things, has its origins in Japanese culture. Commonly referred to as HiFi bars in the U.S., listening bars are a “​subset of the kissaten, the small and idiosyncratic coffeehouses dotting the side streets in Tokyo​ (Ben Ratliff, New York Times),” and stem back to the 1950s.

The original idea is simple: talk less, listen more. The sound is given first priority, not the floor plan nor what's on the menu. Acoustics of the space are designed in such a way that one can fully appreciate the music that’s playing. It’s a great way to experience music; not only are the picks usually playing from vinyl but the sound system is optimized to hear details we otherwise couldn’t get at a regular venue.

What characteristics define a listening bar? Speakers tend to have a revealing sound quality for everyone in attendance. The general vibe amounts to an atmosphere that supports enjoyment and relaxation, rather than one of coffee-fueled productivity or a night club. Owners sought to do something they’re passionate about and tend to be collectors of records with a deeper appreciation for the technology behind great sounding music. It’s a unique place that provides a means to relax, concentrate on the music, and come together as a community.

Although the spaces vary from city to city, they each pay homage to Japan’s listening bars where it all began. It’s an exciting time for this new way to hear music. More venues have begun popping up in other countries including the United States only in the last few years. New Zealand & Australia both have some great listening bars to check out. Waxflower in Melbourne is one of my favs and TBH I’m pretty sure you’d class Ulos in Raglan, New Zealand as a listening bar with Cian on the mix most nights.

We at SoSound compare ourselves to a listening lounge/music stylist company. We pride ourselves on digging deeper. We want to help our clients create environments that leave people feeling happy, uplifted and content, like you would after being in a listening bar. Get in touch to learn how we could elevate your business through music, and we can also help with equipment side of things also as we specialise is sound design for commercial fit-outs.