What is a listening bar?

A listening bar is where music actually matters, not just in the background. Born from Japan’s underground jazz kissaten culture, these spots are all about high-fidelity sound systems, deep vinyl cuts, and a vibe that demands you actually listen. Think dim lighting, expertly crafted cocktails, and selectors spinning everything from obscure funk to mind-expanding electronic grooves. I often think of it as a personal expression in music, it is not about whether you like it or not, it is about this person sharing with you his most intimate selections and emotions through music.

Recently I visited Gold Line in Los Angeles, I have to say when I’m sitting in the crazy LA evening traffic mayhem for 4 hours, I really questioned myself why the hell I have to go there. I don’t need to go there, obviously, but I felt they will make my time worth it. When I arrived, half wet in the pouring rain, parked my brand new rental car in a slightly dodgy neighborhood, the security checked my Emirates ID and asked me whether I am Arabic - he really made my day (I have single eye lid). The light was super dim, makes me question whether they paid the electricity bill. Candle light on the counter, and this massive vinyl collection back shelf with same color tone wood framed speaker system. People were warm, welcoming, and unpretentiously cool. Every body was there to form some sort of collective frontier that was united by music. One terrible espresso martini later, I already forgive the bartender because the experimental music was exceptional. Sometimes I think people mix “good music” with “good party”, and that really starts to frustrate me. I often think back on that night, what does it mean by good music. I think it is about sitting in the same room breathing the same air as those people exchange brain waves over some nice tunes. Like an orchestrated act by the composer, who is obviously the DJ.