Seattle is not only known for its vibrant music scene but also for its unique venues that cater to discerning listeners. The city boasts a thriving community of hi-fi collectives and events that celebrate the art of listening. These gatherings and listening spaces bring together audiophiles, music enthusiasts, and industry experts, all united by their passion for both music and pristine sound quality. From any of the wide selection of bars spinning vinyl, to events being thrown that celebrate high fidelity sound, or dedicated listening spaces, there is no shortage of opportunities to indulge in the rich tapestry of music Seattle has to offer.
Vinyl Bars:
Vinyl bars, as the name suggests, offer the perfect blend of ambiance, cocktails, and the warm sound of vinyl crackling through the air. These bars provide an environment for those seeking an experience that goes beyond just background music. Capitol Hill hosts a wide variety of bars that fit this bill:
- Life on Mars
Run by a dynamic duo of KEXP DJ and Neumos co-owner, Life on Mars is a great spot to listen to a wide variety of genre’s from the couple’s collection of over 6,000 (and growing!) carefully curated titles. This bar stands out as it is both vegan and sober friendly, offering plant based dishes and NA drinks for those looking to enjoy the vibe of a vinyl bar without the booze. - Revolver
Revolver Bar on Olive Way is a grungier choice for those looking for a great happy hour and an even greater selection of local vinyl. The bar regularly hosts all-vinyl DJ sets ranging from genres of house and disco to shoegaze and goth adjacent. Truly a bar for the (music loving) people. - Sugar Hill
Sugar Hill is a stand-out pick due to their focus on spinning hip-hop and hosting vinyl DJs every night of the week. Outside of their deep collection of hip hop records, Sugar Hill transitioned into a kick-ass Thai restaurant post-pandemic and is a great spot to enjoy a meal and listen to some records.
Shibuya Hi-Fi:
The city doesn't stop at vinyl bars and if you're looking for something truly extraordinary, there's a new addition to Seattle's audio landscape. Tucked away under the bridge in Ballard, a Japanese-style listening bar has recently opened its doors, promising an unparalleled auditory experience. Listening bars, a concept originating from Japan, are unique establishments that offer a distinct musical experience. Unlike traditional bars or clubs where the primary focus is on socializing, listening bars prioritize the act of listening to music in a dedicated and immersive environment. At a listening bar, you can expect to find a carefully curated selection of music, often played on high-quality audio systems, allowing you to fully appreciate the nuances and intricacies of each track.
Shibuya Hi-Fi differentiates itself from the previously listed bars by billing itself as a deliberate listening space. Inside of Shibuya, the drinks are secondary to the music. The bartop boasts two large JBL L52 bookshelf speakers that are pumping out whatever the bartender’s have brought from their personal collections that day. From about 5-9pm the environment in the bar is quiet and respectful to the music being played while patrons sip on a list of cocktails curated from local cocktail books or from their own creation. At 9:30 the vibe becomes more lively as vinyl DJs take the fully-analog stage to play from 10-close. Shibuya has plans to host residencies for DJs that fit their all-killer-no-filler agenda and know how to make the most out of the speakers in the bar’s disposal.
Beyond the main room, there is a truly special hi-fi room in the back that is by reservation only. Patrons walk into a space designed for listening by first removing their shoes and choosing a space to sit. Every detail in the room feels intentional as you sit on custom-built furniture atop a hand woven Afghan rug under two stunning chandeliers straight out of Benaroya Hall’s Founders Lounge. All of this is tied together by a commanding art piece at the front of the room by Christy Hopkins that was made specifically for the listening room. The pièce de résistance is, of course, the two priceless 1976 Klipschorn floorstanding speakers that sit in the front corners of the room served by a Marantz 2325 receiver. Hosts Brian Rauschenbach and Quentin Ertel guide you through the space as they kick off the listening session with Flamenco Sketches off of Miles Davis’ Type of Blue record. Listening to this song, Quentin says, is when they knew they had set up something special. Rauschenbach and Ertel then go back-to-back playing whatever they feel fits the vibe of the night as the audience in the room close their eyes and drift into the soundscape. One of the highlights of our experience at Shibuya was right before DJ Supreme La Rock, Shibuya’s musical director, went on to play a set, he hosted a brief listening session of a 45” that he had just picked up. There is currently no other place in Seattle that hosts music lovers at this depth. For both the uninitiated into hi-fi and the real gear-heads, this is a place to experience listening in a brand new way.
Maiden Voyage:
For those looking to introduce themselves to the world of HiFi listening, I would suggest checking out any events put on by Maiden Voyage, the brainchild of Jason Justice and Justin Cayou, two local Seattle DJs. After spending the pandemic showing off their gear to friends, they decided to bring the experience to the masses. The duo haul their traveling setup, a pair of beautifully restored Klipsch KG4s and a full stack of Schiit amps, to local venues and host listening events geared towards any and all music lovers. Justin described their events as “listening to records in your parent’s basement,” and after attending their most recent event, a listening party for Animal Collective’s Isn’t it Now?, I would agree with that assessment. At the listening party we attended, guests all sat quietly facing the speakers as the record played through in full. The ambiance at these events is all about the music and felt very zen as the audience sat through the entire album silent, entranced by the sound. After the record played through, special guest Robert Millis of the Climax Golden Twins came up and played some cuts off of his own record collection, soliciting requests from the crowd. This humble approach to a scene that can come off as gatekept and pretentious was refreshing and allowed for the entire audience to get involved. Upcoming events include two jazz focused listening events for the Earshot Jazz Festival Series. Links for tickets to those below:
About Ryan L.
Ryan is a seasoned writer and music connoisseur. With a deep-rooted passion for melodies that move the soul, Ryan possesses a remarkable ability to articulate the intricacies of music with eloquence and precision. His reviews and features are a testament to his extensive knowledge of various genres, from jazz and blues to alternative and folk. Ryan's attention to detail, coupled with his insightful analysis of artists and their creative journeys, ensures that his readers are consistently exposed to exceptional music recommendations and gain a deeper appreciation for the Seattle music scene.