New York City Audio/Hifi Bars and Cafes
I’m going to be in NYC for the holiday and may have some time to check a couple out. Any suggestions or experiences will be super appreciated. Looks like NYC area has about 6.
I highly recommend All Blues over in Tribeca. That's my favorite I've been to, great drinks as well It's not a listening bar, but if you like horns speakers, the Ojas Listening Space is nice, but you might want to email them first. I went during the release of his last speaker, so it's was open all during the week, and I had a nice time just listening for a good 60 minutes. https://us.usm.com/blogs/journal-home/devon-turnbull-ojas-listening-room |
This has nothing to do with NYC. However, I was in a great vinyl hi-fi bar called Malted Vinyl in Petoskey, Michigan in September. Really nice selection of vinyl that you can play on their Technics SL-100C turntables, all MacIntosh pre-amps and amplifiers, and JBL L100 speakers. Had a great time there on a slow Sunday afternoon and again on a busy Friday night. Oh, and PBR drafts for $2! |
I was at the village vanguard 2 weeks ago, surreal, the acoustics are amazing, right there in the heart of lower manhatten. Only $40 for seat. I also like to swing by the Roxy when im down there, there is always a jazz band playing in the lobby bar and last time there for happy hour there was $5 beers and wine |
itanbro sound by singer is closed and gone forever Andy Singer died.
innovatve audio park avenue audio hifi loft in living streo Audio intellect in jersey city 3 miles outside NYC: we have kef ,atc, alta audio cabasse, Legacy dali, focalJern aurion audio line arrays, trinov esoteric, zesto, audio control, sony, coda, synthesis, rega, nad, naim atoll, krell, 432evo, elac, mytek isotek, audience, audio magic, wireworld and many others in five sound rooms in a restored Victorian home with by appointment hours.
Dave and Troy Audio Intellect NJ. |
The former World of McIntosh Townhouse is now known as The House of Sound NYC. The link is below. If you send me a private message (however you do that on Audiogon) or on Facebook, I'll be happy to attempt an introduction to Franz at the House. I met him in February 2020, 2 weeks before the world shut down, when I visited the old Townhouse location in SoHo. I was in NYC to see the Swedish band Opeth for 2 nights at The Apollo. The Townhouse was officially closed the Friday I visited, but Franz gave me "the keys to the joint" and myself and my 2 friends had access to all 5 stories of the Townhouse and every room's system. We brought our own vinyl (one friend was a professional studio drummer and we had albums he was on) plus Franz gave me access to the streaming app. One of the most incredible days of my life.
At that time, the Townhouse showcased McIntosh, Audio Research, Sonus Faber, Pro-Ject, and Sumiko. Every room had a curated system designed to utilize the room's size, dimensions, and theme. The main room had their famous "$1 Million System" featuring the XRT2.1K speakers and the top McIntosh amps, preamps, turntable, etc. Most of that system was acquired by Sky-Fi and may still be listed for sale. I have a plethora of pictures that I look at occasionally to remind myself of that day!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Allen E. Fields
https://houseofsoundnyc.com/audio-tours/?fbclid=PAY2xjawG0kv5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpqMlRi57YJDbdMpRke0vpq78nJMYo-QPZzlTX2N_5Ws8lh6T_yi3vNYADA_aem_Ce3cNV_GkZ842RHTfdmw6A |
Collectively, most of them can be found across these links https://pirate.com/en/blog/listening-bars-new-york/ https://www.roxyhotelnyc.com/stories/vinyl-revival-guide-to-new-yorks-listening-bar-scene/ https://www.theinfatuation.com/new-york/guides/vinyl-listening-bar-nyc Note the upstairs at Public Records has some custom OJAS which are worth hearing.
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Some of the most enjoyable sound i've heard are the upper echelon nightclubs...strip clubs too...who spent the money on audio. (NYC prolly has its fair share) The type of 'hifi cafe' you're seeking could be let-down systems that put you to sleep along with some other sleepy old men. No attractive woman shall ever be there. |
You won’t find any real jazz / hifi bars … just a bunch of charlatans half assed soundsystems made like a pinterest board or if you DO find a decent system then the room will suck and people are all shouting over the music anyway. Living Voice worth a visit, but mostly you’re better off seeing live Jazz or go where NYC really shines, a CLUB! |
Not listening bars but… if you’re into record/cd shopping, like Jazz and depending what part of the island your on, check out Jazz Record Center and Downtown Music Gallery. |
Please. a listening bar is not an audio showroom such as Wasserman’s Stereo Exchange (Sound by Singer is closed, guys, the dude died years ago), nor a jazz club such as the Blue Note, nor a record store. it is a place where a high end audio system is set up in a bar with a DJ who plays anything from jazz to house to light dance to obscure with a restaurant whose menu tends to be on the snack/tapas end of things but modeled after the Tokyo listening bars, where I guess there is a real need for them since most live in tiny tiny apartments but in NYC this is now a trending scene. I lived in NYC for 45 years, there were no such things other than The Loft Party by David Mancuso, or MY parties in my 2,000 sq ft loft on Cooper Square in the Village Voice building. Now (actually, since covid) these pop up. this is a descent list : https://www.theinfatuation.com/new-york/guides/vinyl-listening-bar-nyc
I do something similar but I seat only 3 at a time: |
I’ve been going to the loft for decades, that is a different thing. I just find it corny how people tick the boxes thinking some poorly amped Klipch and few natural wines is something special. If someone wants to call it a Hi-Fi bar, the bare minimum that should mean it doesn't sound like shit LOL. Trends come and go! |
