The 15 Best Listening Bars in New York

If you're here to get a quick google maps list of the best listing bars in New York and Brooklyn, here you go.

And here is an overview table: 

 

Deeply rooted in the tradition of Japan’s jazz kissas, a new wave of venues across the city is redefining the night out by putting sound fidelity first.

From the concrete sanctuaries of Gowanus to the hidden vinyl dens of Greenpoint, these spaces aren't just about what’s in your glass—they’re about the acoustic architecture, the warmth of analog amplification, and the ritual of the needle drop. We’ve mapped out the essential hi-fi havens where custom speakers and curated collections create the perfect sanctuary for audiophiles and conversation lovers alike. Swipe through for the ultimate guide to NYC’s listening bar revolution.

Before we dive in:

What Are Listening Bars?

Listening bars are a type of venue deeply rooted in the tradition of Japan's jazz kissas (or kissaten). They represent a new wave of establishments that redefine a night out by prioritizing sound fidelity above all else.

Photo: Charmant was one of the oldest jazz kissas in Tokyo.

These spaces are essentially hi-fi havens for audiophiles and conversation lovers alike, focusing on:

• Acoustic Architecture: The venue's design and materials are specifically chosen to create an acoustically pristine environment, ensuring sound waves can expand without distortion.
• High-Fidelity Sound Systems: They are defined by the use of rare or custom-built sound systems, analog amplification, vintage speakers (like Klipsch La Scala or Cornwall), and high-end turntables, celebrating the warmth and detail of analog music.
• Curated Vinyl: The experience centers on the "ritual of the needle drop," with DJs or selectors spinning curated collections of vinyl records.
• Mindful Listening: While some bars are "conversation-friendly," the music is the focal point, often leading to an immersive, almost transcendent connection to the music.

Here are the bars in more detail

Public Records 

Gowanus | Listening Lounge 

Housed within a historic building in Gowanus, Public Records serves as a cathedral to high fidelity, centered around a rare, custom-built sound system. The atrium-like "Sound Room" features high concrete ceilings softened by extensive handcrafted wooden paneling, creating an acoustically pristine environment where sound waves can expand without distortion. With a strict policy encouraging mindful listening, the space functions as a pure sanctuary for those seeking a transcendent, immersive connection to analog music.

Tokyo Record Bar 

Greenwich Village | Izakaya Listening Room 

Located in a subterranean space in Greenwich Village, this jewel-box venue captures the spirit of Japan’s vinyl dens with a playful, interactive twist. The intimate room is lined with thousands of records and floral arrangements, where the warm glow of vintage McIntosh amplifiers powers a soundscape that is both punchy and enveloping. As guests enjoy an izakaya-style tasting menu, the "vinyl jukebox" concept allows the room’s energy to be collaboratively curated, blending the fidelity of a listening room with the conviviality of a dinner party.

BierWax 

Prospect Heights | Vinyl Beer Bar 

Situated in Prospect Heights, BierWax combines the warmth of a neighborhood taproom with the precision of a serious audiophile destination. The space is anchored by a wall-to-wall library of over 5,000 vinyl records, spun on Technics turntables that feed into a rich, analog sound system designed to prioritize depth and clarity over volume. The unpretentious, wood-filled interior invites patrons to explore rare soul, funk, and jazz grooves while sipping a curated selection of craft beers, making high-end audio accessible and grounding.

Studio 151 

East Village | Vinyl Bar & Omakase

Perched above the bustle of Avenue C, Studio 151 channels the moody elegance of a Tokyo jazz kissa with a distinct East Village edge. The dimly lit, amber-hued space pairs a sustainable sushi program with a custom sound system that fills the room with deep, textured audio, allowing every snare hit and bass note to be felt as much as heard. Leather banquettes and velvet curtains dampen the room's acoustics, ensuring that the eclectic, selector-led vinyl sets remain the focal point of this sensory hideaway.

Honeycomb

Park Slope | Hi-Fi Lounge

Tucked away in Park Slope, Honeycomb is a dedicated listening sanctuary where conversation and fidelity coexist in perfect balance. The compact space is treated with perforated wood panels and sound-absorbing materials, creating a "dry," intimate acoustic environment that allows the detailed output of its Klipsch speakers to shine without competing with crowd noise. With a focus on playing complete album sides and deep cuts, the atmosphere evokes the feeling of a private living room designed for the serious appreciation of sound.

Good Bar

Greenpoint | Vinyl Pub

A neighborhood staple that bridges the gap between a classic pub and a hi-fi lounge, Good Bar creates a warm, unpretentious soundscape anchored by towering vintage Klipsch Cornwall speakers. The room’s wood-heavy design and retro lighting complement a strictly vinyl selection, delivering a sound that is robust and nostalgic—perfect for enjoying a beer while getting lost in the deep grooves of rock, soul, and jazz.

Suono

Bed-Stuy | Underground HiFi

Hidden beneath the Roman trattoria Bar Camillo in Bed-Stuy, Suono is a personal sanctuary for sound with deep family roots. The intimate, wood-paneled room is powered by a unique set of vintage walnut speakers hand-built by the owner's father (who founded Italy’s first hi-fi magazine), giving the audio a warm, sentimental character. It operates as a "conversation-friendly" audiophile bar where the focus is on Italian amari, rare vinyl, and a community-driven atmosphere rather than strict silence.

DeepDive BK

Bushwick | Listening Room

True to its name, this venue invites patrons to submerge themselves in a deep, immersive audio experience. The room is engineered for intimacy, utilizing a specialized speaker configuration that creates a "sweet spot" across the entire floor. With a focus on obscure cuts and atmospheric textures, the sound here is physical and enveloping, designed for long-form listening sessions.

Kissa Kissa

Crown Heights | Vinyl Club

A modernized, high-energy take on the traditional Japanese kissaten, Kissa Kissa features a vibrant, disco-ball-lit atmosphere centered around a powerful custom sound system. The acoustics are tuned to handle everything from city pop to house music with punchy clarity, ensuring that even as the energy rises, the fidelity remains distortion-free and deeply resonant.

Moondog HiFi 

Bed-Stuy | Hi-Fi

Dive Illuminated by moody red lighting, Moondog HiFi feels like a secret audiophile living room. The visual and sonic centerpiece is a pair of vintage Klipsch La Scala speakers, which fill the cozy space with dynamic, highly efficient sound. The setup prioritizes warmth and presence, making every needle drop feel like a live performance in a private space.

The Last Call

Williamsburg | Izakaya Listening Bar

Channeling the late-night energy of Tokyo’s alleyway bars, The Last Call pairs yakitori with a serious commitment to analog sound. Large JBL studio monitors dominate the space, pushing out a rich, bass-heavy sound that cuts through the chatter without being abrasive. It is a raw, energetic environment where the mechanical tactile nature of vinyl is celebrated alongside the food.

Port Sa’id 

Hudson Square | Culinary Hi-Fi

A sprawling tribute to sound and flavor, Port Sa'id features a massive, curated vinyl library that serves as the restaurant's visual anchor. The audio system is a custom-built marvel of engineering that disperses sound evenly through the large industrial space, ensuring that the eclectic, global playlists are heard with crystal-clear definition from every table, turning the DJ booth into the room's heartbeat.

All Blues

Tribeca | Tokyo-Style Listening

Sophisticated and sleek, All Blues brings the high-end listening bar aesthetic to Tribeca. The room is acoustically tuned with soft surfaces and drapery to absorb excess noise, allowing the high-fidelity system to render jazz and soul records with breathtaking detail. It is a polished environment where the separation of instruments and the texture of the recording are prioritized above all else.

Mr. Melo

Williamsburg | Dining Room

Mr. Melo strikes a balance between a lively dinner party and a serious listening session. The space is filled with plants and warm textures that soften the acoustics, while high-efficiency speakers deliver a sound that is full-bodied and rhythmic. It’s a space where the audio enhances the social atmosphere, providing a groovy, high-fidelity backdrop to the dining experience.

Million Goods

Greenpoint | Wine & Sound

A minimalist sanctuary for wine and vinyl lovers, Million Goods strips away the unnecessary to focus on purity. The small, curated space features a clean, detailed sound system that pairs perfectly with its natural wine list. The volume is kept at a "conversation-plus" level, allowing the nuances of the recording to float through the room with airy sound-waves.

 

The Bernie’s Awards:

• Best for a First Date: Tokyo Record Bar

• Best for Pure Audiophiles: Honeycomb

• Best Food & Sound Combo: Port Sa’id

Forgot a bar? Just get in touch as we keep updating the list.