Top 5 Vinyl Bars and Restaurants in New York City for Music Lovers

For several years now, vinyls have been growing in popularity among listeners, collectors and young music lovers. The general trend towards vintage and retro, in fashion and design, greatly contributes to this popularity and we are seeing more and more coffee shops, bars and restaurants are being equipped with turntables instead of digital music. Seeing the DJ choose his songs, sometimes going so far as to make suggestions, adds something to the atmosphere of the place.

We tested 5 addresses in different neighborhoods in New York where you can eat and drink while listening to good records.

Studio 151

Studio 151. © Olivia Garcin

Studio 151 is a sushi bar located in a former speakeasy in Alphabet City, above Nublu, a famous jazz club in the neighborhood. In an environment cozy in controlled lighting, under the influence of Japanese listening bars, the excellent selection of vinyls is a backdrop for tasting the chef’s nigiri and temaki menus, with good reason. Studio 151, 151 Avenue C. (Second floor).

Mono Mono

Mono Mono. © Olivia Garcin

It was this beautiful window open to the flower-filled street that caught our attention and brought us in to find out about this Korean restaurant located in the middle of the East Village . There is a collection of over 30,000 vinyl records that literally lines the walls of the establishment, and is definitely worth checking out. The restaurant’s signature dish, fried chicken wings to choose from, spicy or not, with soy-based ssamjang sauce, together with the sounds of the DJ that will light up the place, guarantees you a lively evening. Mono Mono 116 E 4th St.

Pillow

Pillow. © Max Lemoine

Eavesdrop is a cocktail bar in Greenpoint where you can also drink natural wine, local beer and share plates with friends in a space designed for noise lovers. We love the blonde wood that frames an intimate space that is inspired not only by Tokyo’s jazz bars but also by the simple concept of enjoying good music from DJs the after each other. Pillow 674 Manhattan Avenue.

Port Said

© Port Said

Port Sa’id was born more than ten years ago in Tel Aviv, from a collaboration between music enthusiasts and the Israeli chef Eyal Shani, a chef who is already famous here from several lively places in New York opened in succession (HaSalon, Miznon and Shmoné) all imported from their original locations in Israel. It is a restaurant open to all, where large tables are welcome, and which combines the sounds of a music bar with creative food. We also really enjoyed the small, intimate bar located at the entrance. Port Said 88 King St.

All the blues

All blues. © Olivia Garcin

We found in the Tribeca area this “Musiquarium” which is very hidden from the outside, in a speakeasy mode, with an intimate atmosphere where music and listening legitimately go hand in hand. Of course here, you have to let the music be a conversation, a whiskey while you sip your cocktail with Japanese dishes, to appreciate the audio experience. high fidelity from this Tokyo bar. The owner, himself Japanese, is recreated here “Cat Jazz” where jazz music is played for a special audience. He shares with us his amazing collection of records, several of which are signed by the artists. A small group suggested… in Kissa, being social is less of a priority than listening. All blues 87 Walker St.

Tokyo menu bar

© Tokyo Record Bar

Tokyo Record Bar is a restaurant with a tasting menu where you don’t choose what you’re going to eat but the soundtrack you’re going to listen to among carefully selected vinyls. They also have a bar on the first floor that offers good purpose and light bites from chef Aki Iwaki (formerly of Bohemian). Tokyo menu bar127 MacDougall Street.