The Mediterranean
Trend watch: why listening bars are the new way to go out
An insider guide to the listening bars trend
In an era saturated with fleeting digital experiences and loud, often overwhelming social spaces, a different kind of venue is quietly gaining traction. We’re talking about listening bars – spaces designed not for dancing or shouting over music but for truly hearing it. Listening bars (inspired by 1950s Japan’s jazz kissa scene) put sound first – patrons share carefully curated vinyl played through audiophile-grade rigs in intimate, low-lit spaces. Curious about what the latest listening bar trend is all about? Read on as we dig deeper into this new age bar trend.
Table of Contents
Top photography courtesy of The Kissaten
What is a listening bar?
A listening bar is essentially an upscale music lounge where music is the main focus, not background noise. People gather not to dance but to listen – often in nearly silent company, even letting albums run start-to-finish. Guests order a drink or small plate, pick a record or request a DJ’s selection and settle in.
Listening bars are typically designed for comfort and focus, featuring intimate seating arrangements – most can only accommodate between 12 and 40 patrons, creating a living room atmosphere. The layout of a listening bar often includes dedicated listening zones or even sweet spots strategically positioned for optimal auditory immersion.
The cornerstone of a listening bar is its unwavering commitment to superior sound quality. This involves the deployment of high-quality sound systems, frequently custom-built or incorporating premium vintage components. Some establishments further enhance the experience by offering headphone-only sessions.
Unlike algorithm-driven playlists that dominate digital platforms, music selections in listening bars are hand-picked by DJs, curators or even guests. These selections are often drawn from large vinyl collections, ensuring musical clarity as intended by the artists and producers.
Photography courtesy of Mogo Hifi
How are they different from a typical bar or club?
Listening bars are intentionally quieter and more relaxed than typical clubs. The music is played at an enjoyable level for listening, not to make people dance or shout over it. Customers are usually seated or in small groups, not packed into a dance floor. In contrast to a nightclub’s pulsing bass and flashing lights, a listening bar feels more like a lounge or coffeehouse – good speakers take centre stage, walls might be lined with records and the mood is mellow.
The interiors are also different – soft lighting, shelves of vinyl and a large speaker cue guests to sit back and enjoy the sound. This change of pace shows in customer behaviour, too. Rather than grabbing a beer and hitting the dance floor, patrons are more likely to order a craft cocktail or espresso, lean in close and even chat quietly between tracks. Unlike regular bars, where people often go to socialise, turn up and dance, listening bars typically have a more laid-back vibe where the intent is to actively listen to the music. The emphasis is on being present.
Photography courtesy of The Kissaten
How did the listening bar trend emerge?
The concept of listening bars originated in the 1950s in Japan as Jazz Kissa or ongaku kissa (music cafés). In the post-war period, records and hi-fi systems were prohibitively expensive and rare for the average person. Jazz Kissas emerged as vital communal spaces where people could gather to listen to music on high-quality systems. Initially, many Jazz Kissas enforced a silent or no-talking environment, emphasising reverence for the music, with dim lighting to maintain focus on the soundscape.
While modern listening bars draw inspiration from this tradition, they have evolved to allow for quieter socialisation, adapting the concept to contemporary preferences. This evolution of listening bars from strict Jazz Kissas to more social, hybrid venues reflects a broader trend of adapting niche cultural practices for wider appeal and commercial viability while retaining their core essence. The transition from a no-talking policy to an environment where conversation is encouraged, with music playing a central role, highlights a strategic evolution designed to meet modern consumer demands for diverse experiences. The conceptual flexibility of these venues has been crucial to their successful global expansion.
The trend gained significant global momentum in the late 2010s, with pioneers like London’s Brilliant Corners (opened 2013) and Spiritland (opened 2016) leading the charge outside Japan. Subsequently, major metropolises including New York, Berlin, Cape Town and Melbourne witnessed a proliferation of these venues. This widespread adoption indicates a universal craving for quiet, quality listening experiences and a more refined nightlife.
The covid-19 lockdowns also played a significant role as a catalyst for this trend. Traditional clubs closed, prompting people to rediscover the pleasures of eating well and drinking well in more intimate settings. This spurred a demand for hybrid venues that combine dining, drinking and focused music.
Photography courtesy of Nicolò Panzeri and Onda Listening Bar
What is the appeal of audio-centric nightlife?
Why are people flocking to listening bars? The appeal is multi-faceted.
Sensory experience
In an age of compressed MP3s and endless streaming playlists, a vinyl spinning on a vintage turntable feels novel and tactile. The crackle of the needle, the warmth of analogue audio, even the smell of vinyl – all these heighten the sensory experience. Audiophiles say that, much like a fine wine, the pure sound of vinyl through a quality hi-fi can literally train your senses. Many listening bars even cater to this multisensory theme by pairing music with sensory-rich drinks (natural wines, craft cocktails, Japanese whiskies) that complement the auditory focus.
Cultural and social factors
Listening bars also tap into cultural trends. There’s a strong nostalgic/premium vibe – design elements often nod to mid-century style (warm woods, record players, retro posters), which blends with today’s craft-cocktail movement. Socially, they offer a welcoming alternative for groups. Instead of shouting over loud music, friends can chat quietly or even meet strangers who share a record obsession.
Escaping the digital
Perhaps most compelling is the escape from digital overload. Many see listening bars as an analogue detox from our plugged-in lifestyles. Listening bars allow you to take a breath, get off your phone and discover something new. In a Spotify-curated world, the tactile ritual of choosing a record or finding new music by ear is exciting.
Photography courtesy of Bambino
Which are the hottest listening bars to check out in the Med?
Mogo Hifi, Milan
Mogo HiFi brings together audiophile culture and elevated dining in Milan’s Isola district. The design merges mid-century textures with industrial grit – velvet banquettes, terrazzo-tiled floors and a glowing amber grid ceiling that sets the mood from day to night. At its heart is a custom DJ booth clad in walnut and leather, framed by high-fidelity H.A.N.D. speakers and precision wood-horn tweeters. Music programming leans into deep vinyl cuts, soul, funk and jazz, curated by Polifonic, a local label and festival crew. The food comes from Michelin-pedigree chef Yoji Tokuyoshi, blending Japanese precision with Italian ingredients. The cocktail menu also leans towards Japanese inspiration with Japanese whisky and sake.
The Kissaten, Lisbon
Set inside a former 17th-century convent, The Kissaten combines Japanese kissaten elegance with Lisbon’s historical architecture. Sleek wood panelling, shōji-style grids and lantern lighting create a contemplative atmosphere, while Portuguese stone floors ground the space in local character. The audio system features Klipschorn speakers and rare EMT 948 turntables – the same ones once used at London’s legendary Plastic People club – ensuring crisp analogue sound. The venue boasts Portugal’s largest whisky collection and offers a short list of minimal-intervention wines and umami-forward bar snacks. Music ranges from ambient jazz to deep soul, and listeners are encouraged to explore the record wall and contribute to the nightly selections.
Bambino, Paris
In Paris’s buzzing 11th arrondissement, Bambino takes the classic listening bar formula and gives it a lively, Parisian twist. The space channels vintage café charm – concrete bar tops, mismatched wooden tables and a glowing vinyl wall backed by a serious hi-fi setup. Founder Fabien Lombardi, inspired by Tokyo jazz cafés and Tel Aviv listening lounges, lends his personal vinyl archive to the bar’s nightly sets. Chef Kenta Tomoda heads the kitchen, fusing Mediterranean warmth with Japanese ingredients – smoked ricotta ravioli, katsu sandwiches and charcoal-roasted meat dishes are menu staples. The atmosphere remains exciting but unhurried, with analogue grooves spinning through vintage Tannoy speakers.
Onda Listening Bar, Milan
Onda is tucked into SideWalk Kitchens, a creative hub just outside Milan’s city centre and channels the ethos of community listening into a casual, design-forward setting. With exposed brick walls, communal tables and Edison bulb lighting, the space feels equal parts café and hi-fi lounge. The daytime vibe is mellow – pour-over coffee and ambient records – but at night, DJs and crate-diggers bring the sound system to life. The audio setup includes vintage Altec horn speakers and tube amps, chosen for warmth and clarity. The vinyl collection leans toward dub, soul, experimental electronica and Afrobeat. Onda positions itself as a democratic space for music-led socialising – where the sound is central, but the experience never feels exclusive.
Photography courtesy of Mogo Hifi
What’s next for the listening-bar trend?
The listening bar wave shows no sign of cresting soon. Cities worldwide are already adapting the idea. From Tokyo’s original jazz kissa to London’s Spiritland to New York’s Eavesdrop (designed to feel like a living room), this format is spreading. Even beyond Europe and North America, hip spots from São Paulo to Mexico City are popping up. Some venues are evolving into true hybrid experiences – restaurant-bar-showroom by day, vinyl nightclub by night.
Looking ahead, we may see more crossovers. Could virtual reality listening rooms be next? Or subscription models where a bar’s playlist comes to your home? At the very least, expect more creative pairings – perhaps film soundtrack nights paired with themed tasting menus or pop-up vinyl exchanges. The key is that listeners crave ritualised music rituals – a way to elevate the nightlife beyond drinking and dancing.
Culturally, listening bars seem poised to cement their niche in the nightlife landscape. They channel our ongoing vinyl renaissance, our search for genuine connection and our hunger for design-forward environments. If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that people still want to gather, just with a bit more intention. In that sense, listening bars might be here to stay as the new salons of the 21st century, where cocktails, cuisine and curated sound all meet.
Photography courtesy of The Kissaten
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