Listening Bars Gain Global Popularity as Gen Z Seeks Quieter Social Spaces
A trend of Japanese-style listening bars, known as ongaku kissa, is spreading internationally, attracting younger audiences seeking low-pressure social environments. Originating in 1920s Japan with establishments like Meikyoku Kissa Lion in Tokyo, these venues prioritize high-quality audio systems and curated vinyl selections over typical bar noise. Recent examples include Hidden Grooves at Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch, Silence Please in Manhattan, and ESP HiFi in Denver. The Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York features a listening room installation by audio engineer Devon Turnbull through mid-July 2025. Experts note these spaces offer post-pandemic social connection without conversational demands, appealing to remote workers and those drinking less alcohol.
Key facts
- Listening bars originated in Japan about 100 years ago as ongaku kissa
- Meikyoku Kissa Lion in Tokyo first opened in 1926 and was rebuilt after WWII
- The trend has expanded globally with venues in London, New York, Denver, Berlin and Tokyo
- Devon Turnbull created a listening room at Cooper Hewitt museum through July 2025
- Clinical psychologists note these spaces provide low-demand social connection beneficial for nervous systems
Entities
Artists
- Devon Turnbull
- Nick Dwyer
- Shiori Tanaka
- Keiko Ishihara
- Yamadera Yanosuke
- Kenichi Saigo
Institutions
- Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
- Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch
- Silence Please
- ESP HiFi
- Meikyoku Kissa Lion
- Jazz Kissa Eigaken
- Dug
- In Sheep's Clothing
- Inc & Sons
Locations
- Tokyo
- London
- New York
- Denver
- Berlin
- Osaka
- Los Angeles
- Miami