New York City Audio/Hifi Bars and Cafes

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 still there and have a free night, to me, the perfect evening is a round of beers at Blind Tiger Ale House on Bleecker. Then a pizza pie from John’s across the street. Then walk to the Village Vangaurd for a show. Doesn’t get much better than that.

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:

https://www.theaudioatticvinylsundays.com/

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!