In 2026, listening bars and vinyl libraries are reshaping hospitality into something slower, richer, and more intentional. Borrowing from Japanese jazz-kissa culture and fuelled by vinyl’s continued resurgence, these spaces treat sound as a design material, pairing audiophile systems with low, enveloping seating, softened acoustics, and curated record collections. 

What began as a niche movement has matured into a global format, with venues like Spiritland, Jazu Bar, and Toronto’s 915 Dupont demonstrating how music can shape mood, layout, and social ritual. The result is a new kind of dining experience, one where guests come not just to eat or drink, but to listen, linger, and connect.

1. Spiritland - London, United Kingdom

A café, bar, and listening space in King’s Cross built around a bespoke high-end sound system that plays music all day alongside food and drinks.

Spiritland’s interior and programming are designed around audiophile sound, with acoustically tuned finishes, curated playlists, and music at the centre of the guest experience rather than as background ambience.

2. 915 Dupont - Toronto, Canada

A Japanese-inspired café, lounge, and listening bar with audiophile equipment, a moody interior, and vinyl collections, evolving throughout the day from coffee spot to cocktail bar.

915 Dupont demonstrates how sound and design can add narrative and atmosphere to hospitality, combining wood paneling, warm finishes, and high-end audio for a layered experience.

3. Jazu Bar - Tokyo, Japan

A neighbourhood cocktail and listening bar with curated music play and dedicated sound setup.

Jazu embodies the intimate listening bar ethos - a relaxed city space where records and sound quality shape the venue’s atmosphere and program.

4. Record Room - Queens, United States of America

A 1950s-inspired vinyl-centric bar known for cosy interiors, vintage furnishings, and record collections.

This venue shows how retro design and vinyl culture are being integrated into hospitality spaces where music and ambience are co-equals - a key trait of 2026 listening bar concepts.