12 Best Listening Bars In NYC For Cocktails & Records
Home to dark and moody ambiance, state-of-the-art audio systems, and eclectic vinyl collections, listening bars have become some of the coolest places to hang out in the past couple years. Filled with live music and cocktails, it’s the perfect melting pot for music nerds and first dates to coexist. What started as a Japanese cultural staple is now fully thriving in NYC, where many places have rotating DJs, theme nights, and more. Check out our favorite listening bars in NYC below:
1. Public Records, Gowanus
This multi-purpose creative venue in Brooklyn is a premier nightlife spot that combines culture and music. Serving up vegan food and artisanal cocktails, the bar consists of 3 different spaces – a hi-fi record bar with F&B, an intimate performance space featuring live acts and vinyl DJs, and all-day vegan café and magazine shop. No matter what vibe you’re after there’s something for everyone. Learn more here.
Where: 233 Butler St, Brooklyn
2. Eavesdrop, Greenpoint
Headlined by its warm interior with soft lighting and light Japanese-design-inspired wood, Eavesdrop is a Greenpoint bar that takes their drinks and music very seriously! Their goal of “bringing Brooklyn’s community of listeners, artists, and curators together in a cozy neighborhood environment” couldn’t be anymore spot on, and it’s worth a visit. Their craft cocktails, natural wines, and small plates are equally as pleasant, and the exciting mix of vinyl spins will always keep you on your toes. Learn more about Eavesdrop here.
Where: 674 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn
3. Honeycomb, Park Slope
Modeled after Tokyo jazz houses, Honeycomb is the hi-fi audio lounge where you can impress the music lover in your life with a good time and great F&B. Their perfectly curated playlists (which focus in jazz but range depending on night) are always superb and the lax and super-friendly atmosphere makes it perfect to chat with a bartender or nerd out over the walls lined with vinyls. Learn more about Honeycomb here.
Where: 74 5th Ave, Brooklyn
4. Mr. Melo, Williamsburg
Relatively new to the scene, Mr. Melo is a dark and moody analogue dance bar complete with compost cocktails, Greek dishes, and great music. Of course the music here is lovely, but the talk of the town is their mission to normalize affordable listening bars. You can queue up your favorite record and sip on a compost cocktail (repurposed kitchen leftovers into libations) all for less than $15. You can’t go wrong. Learn more about Mr. Melo here.
Where: 61 Withers St, Brooklyn
5. Jolene Soundroom, Williamsburg
The versatility Jolene Soundroom offers is unmatched, effortlessly blending its way from listening bar to full on nightclub as the hours go on! The team behind Miami’s legendary ‘Club Space’ opened up this spot last year, and it’s one of our favorite spots to listen to disco, house, and techno. The 150-person-sized room is full of state-of-the-art speakers and marquee lights, making it the perfect place to lounge and sip cocktails before local NYC DJs turn it into a full party later on. Learn more about Jolene Soundroom here.
Where: 353 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn
6. Good Bar, Greenpoint
Created by Greenpoint nightclub Good Room comes their smaller and more intimate listening bar appropriately called Good Bar. Scaling back the club vibes from it’s other venue, this spot features a curated vinyl library, Klipsch Heresy III speakers and a vintage turntable that pairs tremendously with draft beers, specialty-crafted cocktails, and quality bar food. Learn more about Good Bar here.
Where: 1 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn
7. Tokyo Record Bar, Greenwich Village
Paying “homage to the jewel boxes of vinyl in Japan,” this izakaya-style tasting menu restaurant and listening bar lets you pick your vibe! With each 1 hour & 45 minute seating comes with 7 courses of food and the option to choose from their extensive vinyl collection. You can feast on small plates that are hand-selected by their chefs…and all you have to do is sit back, relax, and control the tunes. Learn more about Tokyo Record Bar here.
Where: 127 MacDougal St
8. Ask for Janice, Greenpoint
Ask for Janice might be one of the coolest listening bars in NYC simply because of their entrance. It’s situated in the back of the Upside Pizza shop in Greenpoint, and it combines some pretty notable NYC influences: Italian-American cuisine, ’90s hip-hop, and top-tier cocktails. There’s not many places you can scarf down calzones and pop in cassette tapes at the same time. Learn more about Ask for Janice here.
Where: 640 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn
9. In Sheep’s Clothing, West Village
Slide open the hidden door of Isreali restaurant Port Sa’id in Hudson Square and you’ll find In Sheep’s Clothing, a small hi-fi listening bar and record store all in one. The vibes here are always amazing, and although they don’t take reservations, you can still find time to stop in here and test out some Japanese whiskey while you crate dig for hidden gems. Learn more about In Sheep’s Clothing here.
Where: 350 Hudson St (Enter on King)
10. The Last Call, Williamsburg
The Last Call is probably one of the only places in NYC you can eat yakitori skewers and listen to music on hi-fi speakers. It feels like an old Japanese dive bar inside, thanks to the posters and decor…and don’t forget to venture to the backroom where a dance floor emerges on weekends. Plus, during the beginning of the week they host a pop-up with Brooklyn Ramen, serving yummy noodles while you take in the sound system curated by the bartenders. Learn more about The Last Call here.
Where: 588 Grand St, Brooklyn
11. Studio 151, East Village
Studio 151 combines two of our favorite things: listening bars and sushi! After walking through what appears like an ominous black door from street level, you’ll go up some stairs and find this small, dimly lit sushi and cocktail bar. Vinyl records provide the soundtrack, a delightful omakase menu is served, and the ambiance is on point. Learn more about Studio 151 here.
Where: 151 Loisaida Ave
12. BierWax, Prospect Heights
Ever since 2017, BierWax in Brooklyn is the listening bar if you’re a craft beer lover. This bar holds over 5,000 vinyl records in its inventory and serves up IPAS, lagers, and so many more that are constantly rotating! Learn more about BierWax here.
Where: 556 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn
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