Listening bars inspired by Japanese jazzkissaten are opening across Australia. Here are six of the best.
From retro road trip revivals to heritage stays, nostalgia is powering a new way to travel. Listening bars, also known as jazz kissaten, are part of this movement. Emerging from Japan’s Shōwa era (mid-1920s to late 1980s), these groovy hangouts are fitted out with quality sound systems and vinyl records. Today, the best listening bars in Australia pair killer soundtracks with tasty bites and unique ambiences, transporting patrons to faraway places.
Loom Lounge, Sydney
Immerse yourself in a music lounge experience.
Whichever way you spin it, Loom Lounge has raised the bar in Crows Nest, North Sydney. From tracks that throw back to the ’60s to bass-heavy hip-hop, the music is selected based on the mood the DJs want to create. The concept, from Li’l Darlin in collaboration with the Sultry Group, is about creating an immersive space where music is much more than just a bit of blah background noise. Sip on cocktails and graze on late-night snacks such as arancini balls, chicken tacos and Peking duck pancakes.
Sonny, Hobart
Get treated to good beats and good food. (Credit: Jesse Hunniford)
You can sit at home and stay plugged into Soundcloud. Or you can slink into Sonny , the Hobart/Nipaluna bolthole where the conversation hums along with the bassline. While Sonny doesn’t bill itself as a listening bar, it has a stack of vinyl that you can give a spin. Beyond being wired for sound, chef Sam Bray has a passion for provenance, serving just-shucked Tassie oysters with low-intervention wine.
Bahama Gold, Melbourne
Music enthusiasts will have a blast engaging with their favourite tunes. (Credit: Monica Styles)
Fill your cup as well as your fridge at Bahama Gold . The music at the Lygon Street listening bar is as meticulously curated as the drinks list. While the sound is strictly vinyl, the bar is also a hi-fi temple featuring $60,000 worth of equipment imported from the USA. The 12-seater venue sits underneath a 500-bottle wine cellar, so you can choose a bottle and pay corkage, or select wines by the glass. Order snacks and small plates prepared next door at Old Palm Liquor.
Ode to Sirens, Fremantle
Ode to Sirens celebrates good music with equally exciting Greek food.
Listening bars are opening with increasing frequency in Freo. And Ode to Sirens is one for serious musos. The DJs at this immersive bar in Perth/Boorloo’s port city provide playlists that add even more personality to the 1970s-styled space. While the jazz kissa concept is strong, the Hellenic-inspired food and funky wines are also integral to the experience. Expect those analogue sounds to amp up with cocktails named after songs.
Honeydripper, Adelaide
Honeydripper gives an unparalleled listening experience. (Credit: Neasan McGuiness)
Today’s listening bars are places where high-quality sound systems, good food and wine intersect. The vibes are amplified at Honeydripper in the heart of Adelaide/Tarntanya, thanks to the seductive sounds produced by a rotating line-up of local DJs. While the music played in the luxe, intimate space is the focus, drinks also move the needle when it comes to elevating the mood, as each cocktail is paired with a song.
Disuko, Melbourne
DISUKO is a spot for izakaya plates and music-led energy.
Translated from the Japanese word for ‘disco’, Disuko is an homage to 1980s Tokyo disco culture. Enjoy izakaya dining in cosy nooks while listening to vinyl tunes. With hanging glow balls, late-night snacks and specialty sakes, it’s one of the best listening bars in Australia for night owls.
Carla Grossetti avoided accruing a HECS debt by accepting a cadetship with News Corp. at the age of 18. After completing her cadetship at The Cairns Post Carla moved south to accept a position at The Canberra Times before heading off on a jaunt around Canada, the US, Mexico and Central America. During her career as a journalist, Carla has successfully combined her two loves – of writing and travel – and has more than two decades experience switch-footing between digital and print media. Carla’s CV also includes stints at delicious., The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Australian, where she specialises in food and travel. Carla also based herself in the UK where she worked at Conde Nast Traveller, and The Sunday Times’ Travel section before accepting a fulltime role as part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK. Carla and has been freelancing for Australian Traveller for more than a decade, where she works as both a writer and a sub editor.
Sunshine, sea breezes and sand-speckled locals: the Sutherland Shire is perfect for an idyllic Sydney summer.
The Sutherland Shire is one of Sydney’s most dynamic regions. Home to an eclectic mix of top-notch eateries and drinking holes, a flourishing arts scene, and striking land and seascapes, it’s a haven for foodies, culture seekers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
It’s also an ever-evolving destination with a constant wave of new places to eat and drink, and under-the-radar pockets to explore – many of which are dog-friendly.
If you’re venturing to this gorgeous part of the world this summer, here’s your guide to what’s new and worth discovering.
Savour the summer dining scene
Pop into Fred’s After Hours.
The Shire’s buzzing dining scene is one of its biggest drawcards, and many of the region’s culinary highlights can be found in the sun-soaked beachside hub of Cronulla. A bunch of newcomers have recently set up shop, making the area ripe for culinary adventure.
Homer Rogue Taverna is exactly as its name suggests: a cheeky take on classic Greek food. Expect meze and mains bursting with bold flavours and a wine list packed with standout Greek drops.
Freds Providore – a Cronulla favourite for casual cafe fare and excellent coffee – is now open late from Thursday to Sunday. Come sundown, it morphs into Fred’s After Hours, serving a refined European-inspired menu, wines, cocktails and a laid-back yet polished vibe.
Bobbys is a slick destination right on Cronulla Beach, where you can grab a plate of freshly-caught seafood and a summery cocktail while cooling off in the sea breeze.
And if you’re after a bit of everything, the sprawling and multifaceted Parc Pavilion is a melting pot of dining experiences. It blends a cafe, bistro, bar, Italian restaurant and a host of regular events, all tied together in a cool coastal setting.
Got a Saturday morning to spare? The Shire Farmers Market in Sutherland is a must-do ritual, letting you (and your four-legged friend) browse fresh produce, flowers and gourmet treats against a backdrop of live music and local chatter.
Dive into ocean pools
The ocean pools beckon.
Given its prime coastal positioning, the Shire teems with crystal-clear ocean pools and enclosed bathing spots. Silver Beach Tidal Baths offers a netted
swimming experience in Botany Bay. Tucked beside a small sandy beach, the tidal baths at Gunnamatta Park are calm and shallow – making them an ideal setting for less confident swimmers.
Just a hop and a skip away is Shelly Park Ocean Pool, a magical rock pool carved in the ocean. It’s well-suited to young kids and offers sweeping views towards the open sea.
Experience local arts and culture
See the art at Hazelhurst Arts Centre, then enjoy a picnic with or without your pooch.
Hazelhurst Arts Centre in Gymea is elegantly positioned within a lush garden landscape, serving as the Sutherland Shire’s premier destination for arts and culture. This summer, experience the Art on Paper Award 2025 – a celebration of innovation and creativity through the versatile medium of paper.
Set within the leafy surrounds of Hazelhurst Arts Centre, Hazel Kitchen & Bar has curated the ultimate picnic experience. Think abundant cheese platters, artisan charcuterie boards, fresh OJ and a thoughtfully chosen wine list, all available to take away and enjoy in the art-filled gardens just beyond the restaurant. Best of all, four-legged friends are welcome to join the fun.
Next, venture south to the artsy village of Bundeena for the monthly Bundeena and Maianbar Art Trail . This self-guided journey through local artists’ studios offers a glimpse into their work and creative spaces.
Relish the dog-friendly atmosphere
Let the dog off-leash at Greenhills Dog Beach.
The Sutherland Shire is a bona fide playground for pups and their humans. Find a string of dog-friendly beaches popular with locals, visitors and pups alike. Silver Beach in Kurnell is a peaceful pocket, allowing dogs off-leash without restriction. While Horderns Beach in Bundeena and Greenhills Beach in Cronulla are equally serene and provide off-leash access (be sure to check times and seasonal restrictions before you go).
If you’re planning to make a weekend of it, book yourself and your pooch into Quest Cronulla . With stylish and spacious pet-friendly accommodation, thoughtful amenities, and a prime location just steps from Cronulla Esplanade and a variety of dog-friendly cafes, it’s the perfect spot to rest after a full day of exploring.
Get into nature
Find natural beauty in Royal National Park. (Image: Destination NSW)
You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to outdoor escapes: imagine rugged bushwalks, breezy beachside tracks, meandering cycling trails and lookouts galore. The best part? Many of them are perfectly suited to dogs.
Take your canine to Cronulla Esplanade – the Shire’s version of the famed Bondi to Coogee Walk. This eight-kilometre route takes you past the region’s most picturesque beaches, offering panoramic vistas and an electric energy. It heaves with locals every morning and weekend, getting their steps in with a coffee in one hand and a dog leash in the other.
If you’re travelling without furry friends, stop by the Royal National Park. You’ll be engulfed in ancient bushland, craggy cliffs, towering rock formations, diverse wildlife and twisting tracks. The Jibbon Loop Track is a highlight, with spectacular views over the sea. Alternatively, the Karloo Track forms a loop that winds through untamed bush, freshwater pools and waterfalls. Re-lace your walking shoes or grab a bike to follow The Bundeena Drive to Marley Walk past freshwater pools and creeks, on to scenic beach views of Little Marley Beach.
The stretch along Cronulla bursts with postcard-perfect beaches, each offering a different flavour. With rolling waves, regular patrol and a steady stream of beachgoers, Cronulla Beach and North Cronulla Beach are buzzy and built for all kinds of swimmers. Elouera Beach is a quieter option, attracting early-morning surfers hoping to catch the perfect wave.
If you prefer a side of dramatic scenery, visit Wanda or Greenhills – in addition to ocean panoramas, both are backed by towering golden dunes and wild scrub. Looking for something more subdued? Shelly Beach Ocean Pool is a relaxed – yet no less captivating – retreat.
