"Together, these two bars were rare destinations in New York City where one could get the experience of a kissa, the jazz vinyl listening bars of Japan. The concept, which anyone who even occasionally visits bars is now likely familiar with, centers on playing records and encouraging guests to actually focus on the music rather than their drinks or checking their Hinge matches."
"They contrasted themselves against rowdier dance clubs, cocktail bars where the music was an afterthought, or your local dive where that regular refuses to play anything except Boston on the jukebox. But by 2025, it seemed as if every bar was suddenly a "listening bar." The concept had jumped the shark, from small, vinyl-focused drinkeries to sprawling, dual-concept omakase eateries and dancy dives."
"As some of these destinations have already begun shutting their doors, it's time to examine how many of these spots are true listening bars and how many others are just grabbing onto the currently marketable buzz of that label. Because when we hear the phrase listening bar, we should be able to expect a certain level of authenticity and attention to musical detail-otherwise, we could just go to whatever bar is closest to home."
BierWax and Tokyo Record Bar introduced New York audiences to the kissa model of listening bars, emphasizing vinyl playback and focused musical attention. Listening bars offered an alternative to dance clubs, cocktail bars that neglect music, and jukebox-dominated dives. Between the late 2010s and 2025, numerous listening, record, vinyl, and hi-fi bars proliferated across U.S. cities, expanding into varied and hybrid concepts. By 2025 the label became broadly applied, sometimes diluting authenticity and musical detail. Some venues have begun closing, prompting evaluation of which establishments maintain genuine listening-bar standards. Chris Maestro opened BierWax from lifelong vinyl collecting and DJ experience.
Read at Slate Magazine
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