If you’re looking to expand your music tastes, but you’re tired of letting the algorithm decide for you, step outside and visit a local listening room. Over the years Philly has welcomed lounges similar to jazz kissa, Japanese listening bars and cafes centered around high-quality sound systems playing vinyl records. The concept is attracting old and new audiophiles looking for good music and community.
Here’s where to go if you want to listen to vinyl records in Philly.
48 Record Bar | 48 S. 2nd St.
Located above the jazzy Sassafras Bar, 48 Record Bar is a cozy listening room and cocktail bar in Old City. The lounge regularly hosts programming from vinyl nights to open mics to author talks. Registration for ticketed events can be found here.
Free Library of Philadelphia | 1901 Vine St.
The Free Library has so much to offer beyond books, including music. The library’s music department not only has a vast collection of physical music available for loan, but now has a vinyl record listening club. The group meets on the last Wednesday of each month, offering a free third space to listen to music from the library’s catalog, or from your own. You can sign up to receive updates about the club here.
Milkcrate Cafe | 400 E. Girard Ave. & 4435 Baltimore Ave.
Spin some records whether you’re in Fishtown or West Philly. Milkcrate Cafe is the perfect place to sit down for a cup of coffee as you sit back and listen to some tunes. The coffee shop doubles as a record store with thousands of records to choose from. You can also grab some hi-fi audio gear at the shop.
Solar Myth | 1131 S. Broad St.
Solar Myth brings the beats to South Broad’s musical scene. The back of the venue is perfect for intimate, live performances but you can get more of the kissa vibe toward the front by the bar. (And if you’re looking for more places to listen to jazz in the city, here are a few venues to start with.)
Sook Vinyl and Vintage | 7169 Germantown Ave.
Philly’s only Black-owned record shop and listening room evolved from a vending pop-up to a brick-and-mortar store in Germantown that’s preserving Black culture, music, and art. Learn about the next SOOK Session, its ongoing series spotlighting selectors, by keeping up with SOOK’s Instagram.
Did we miss your favorite listening room? Let us know where to go. If you’ve found the artist that’s right for you, be sure to visit Philly’s record stores to pick up a physical copy of their work.
