Where to find the world’s best listening bars

In an era shaped by algorithmic recommendations and constant digital noise, listening bars offer a rare opportunity to slow down and reconnect through sound. The concept first emerged in post-war Tokyo through jazz kissa (jazz cafés) and ongaku kissa (music cafés). Imported records were rare and expensive – beyond the reach of most young people hungry for the sound of a new era – but jazz kissas offered a solution: for the cost of a coffee, anyone could sit and listen to vinyl played through carefully assembled soundsystems. The unspoken rule was simple – you came not to socialise, but to listen. Today, socialising is back on the menu and the concept has evolved into a global movement that blends sound, hospitality and design.

From London to Melbourne, listening bars are redefining how we experience music – combining considered acoustics, sleek interiors and food and drink with a rejection of streaming culture’s disposability. Some offer hushed, reverential spaces dedicated to jazz and soul; others pair hi-fi systems with expertly crafted cocktails and late night energy. What unites them is a belief in the ritual of the record, the art of human curation and a growing appetite for analogue experiences. Here are ten of our favourites.

Eavesdrop
Brooklyn, New York City

Located on Greenpoint’s Manhattan Avenue, Eavesdrop is one of Brooklyn’s most popular listening bars. The 36-seat space combines poured-concrete terrazzo, cork-lined surfaces and a grid of strategically placed mirrors that scatter light and sound. Craft cocktails and Japanese-inspired small plates accompany sets from guest curators and resident DJs spanning electronic, jazz, soul and hip-hop – all played through a custom-built sound wall of integrated speakers, turntables and vinyl. eavesdrop.nyc

Jazu
Deptford, London

Jazu puts a contemporary spin on the traditional listening bar concept. The same devoted crowd who followed the south London night through its residencies and pop-ups now spills on to benches lining the pavement at its permanent home. Inside, the space revolves around a collection of more than 3,000 records, heard through a custom soundsystem crafted by London-based audio engineer Bosco Taylor. The co-founders fell in love with the listening bar format after experiencing it in Mexico, so the drinks lean heavily on agave spirits – think mezcal negronis and mules. Don’t miss regular supper club takeovers hosted by chefs and tastemakers. jazudrinks.com

Jaç Hi-Fi Café
Eixample, Barcelona

This forward-thinking listening café marries minimalist interiors with exceptional sound and a refined culinary offering. Designed by Barcelona-based studio Isern Serra, the space is characterised by walnut wood, lacquered tabletops, sculptural lighting, striking artwork and a communal table that invites conversation. A curved wall at the rear houses a vinyl collection, while integrated stainless steel speakers deliver the sound. With coffee roasted in-house and a concise menu of homemade pastries, seasonal fruit, granola bowls and Catalan-style tomato toast with local Iberian cured meats, Jaç offers a memorable breakfast experience. jac.barcelona

Vago
Santos, Lisbon

Lisbon has no shortage of great bars but this intimate basement venue in Santos stands out for its vaulted brick ceilings and stone walls, which enhance the acoustics. Arrive just after its 8pm opening to secure a counter seat at the concrete bar, where you can enjoy inventive cocktails and graze on Portuguese-inspired bites, including the signature Reuben sandwich. Groove alongside locals as funk, jazz and techno fill the space into the early hours, courtesy of resident DJs and guest selectors. vago.lisboa

Bambino
Haut Marais, Paris

Bambino sits in the heart of Paris’s 11th arrondissement on Rue Saint-Sébastien, where turntables line a midcentury display of vinyl against concrete walls, with gold-trimmed tables and red velvet counter seats. Founded by restaurateur Fabien Lombardi of Osteria and Salumeria, the menu spans small plates and wood-fired dishes designed for sharing – the roast chicken and aioli sandwich is the one to order. Natural wines are the perfect pairing for a soundtrack of hip-hop, soul, funk and jazz. bambino_paris

LB’s Record Bar
Melbourne CBD, Melbourne

Michael and Zara Madrusan are behind some of Melbourne’s favourite bars, yet it’s LB’s Record Bar that stands out for its agave-forward cocktails and compelling wines, soundtracked by disco and house. Find the blue mosaic exterior on Meyers Place, between Bourke and Little Collins Streets, and follow the orange glow spilling from its windows. Velvet upholstery, oversized speakers, multi-level bench seating and a graphic ceiling crowned by a large disco ball create a nostalgic feel, while neon lights illuminate a rotating selection of albums on display. Expect local selectors, including Ben Emes, Billie-Jean and Mr Lob. merivale.com/venues/lbs-record-bar

MOGO 
Isola, Milan

With a custom soundsystem created by Berlin’s audio workshop HAND HiFi and a fusion-inspired small plates menu, this listening bar in Milan has all the ingredients for a great night out. The low-lit space centres on turntables backed by shelving of vinyl, greenery and ceramics, while panelled walls display album covers from the likes of Stevie Wonder, Kraftwerk and A Tribe Called Quest. The menu spans beef tartare, tomato doughnuts, wagyu sliders and smoked chicken, and the monthly DJ line-up is revealed on Instagram. mogomilano.com

Little Soul Cafe
Shimokitazawa, Tokyo

Little Soul Cafe has been a fixture in Tokyo’s Shimokitazawa neighbourhood since 1999. Up a narrow staircase, the warmly lit space houses more than 15,000 records belonging to owner Nobuo Miyamae, with a focus on 1960s soul and funk. You won’t find any food here but the drinks selection more than makes up for it, with 100 varieties of rum from around the world. Request a favourite tune, chat with the locals and, if you discover something new, head to nearby record shop Jet Set to pick up a copy. littlesoulcafe.com

Migas
Mitte, Berlin

In a city revered for its underground music scene, it’s hard to stand out, yet Migas is doing just that. Offering a refined take on Berlin’s after-dark culture, the minimalist bar is tucked in a quiet pocket of historic Mitte, where brushed steel, warm timber and soft lighting set the tone. The soundsystem delivers jazz, ambient, house and leftfield electronica, with discerning selectors spinning rare cuts late into the night. Migas invites guests to linger over inventive cocktails and seasonal sharing plates, proving Berlin’s music scene is just as captivating beyond the dancefloor. migas.berlin

Clutch Bar
Talat Noi, Bangkok

Clutch Bar has more of a late-night edge than the other spots on this list. Housed on the second floor of The Warehouse – a once-abandoned complex that reopened in late 2023 and now features shops, pop-ups and a restaurant – the venue draws local and international crowds. Its industrial shell of raw concrete walls and exposed steel is softened by plush upholstered seating and leather sofas, while speakers mounted behind the bar provide the soundtrack as DJs work across three turntables, spinning disco, house and funk into the early hours. clutchbkk