Strangers in the Night: An Evening at Tokyo Record Bar in New York City
Considering the fact that New York City is a bustling metropolis of millions, it's ironic how often you hear it's inhabitants express feelings of loneliness. Or alienation. Or a sense of hopeless disconnection from their fellow denizens. These are trite sentiments, certainly, but that doesn’t make them untrue. Even Mark Twain, when chronicling his time in the The City That Never Sleeps, wrote: “A man walks his tedious miles through the same interminable street every day, elbowing his way through a buzzing multitude of men, yet never seeing a familiar face, and never seeing a strange one the second time.”
But if New York City offers anything, it’s options--a plethora of them. For almost any malady, the city will graciously afford you the perfect salve for what ails you. And more often than not, it involves a night out at an offbeat locale with the promise of tasty eats, great beats, and a convivial crowd. We found just such respite on a particularly frigid night at Tokyo Record Bar.
What is Tokyo Record Bar?
Tokyo Record Bar is described by its proprietor as “an underground listening room dedicated to quality and obsession through music, food, and booze,” though that hardly encapsulates the experience. A little bit more descriptive is the statement, “an homage to the jewel boxes of vinyl in Japan”. But again, that’s not entirely helpful if you’ve never been to Japan, and have no idea that there is a popular style of bar there in which the music you listen to is as big of a focus as the food you are served. So then what is it? Not to worry, we’re happy to elucidate.
How does Tokyo Record Bar work?
Tokyo Record Bar requires reservations, and when making those reservations you will select your preferred timed seating. The dinner will last exactly 1.5 hours, allowing a half hour in between seatings for the next group to arrive. The earlier seating is at 6:30 pm and the later seating is at 8:30 pm. From Thursday to Saturday, an additional seating is available to 10:30 pm. You will be asked to confirm your reservation at the 18-seat izakaya 24 hours in advance.
Pro Tip: Cancellations can be made up to two hours before reservation time; but less than two hour notice will be subject to the full charge for dinner.
On the night of your scheduled dinner, you’re advised to arrive at least 15 minutes early. There’s the air of a secret speakeasy since there’s no Tokyo Record Bar sign or entrance. Instead, to reach the space, you enter through Air’s Champagne Parlor on MacDougal St. Air’s Champagne Parlor, which is a charming space in its own right, has reserved tables and an extensive champagne menu available for the guests of Tokyo Record Bar while they wait. Once all or most of the parties are present, you are led downstairs to the small, ornate, subterranean izakaya.
After you are seated, you are presented with both record and drink menus, as well as pencils and sheets of paper to write your choice of songs for the evening’s playlist. The drink list includes a selection of beer and champagne, as well as a robust filtered and unfiltered sake list. A handy flavor pairing index is on hand to assist with your decision. The record menu offers an eclectic mix of blues, soul, jazz, hip-hop, reggae, funk, and more--something suitable for anyone’s taste. Shortly after everyone has turned in their selections, the DJ for the evening curates the list as he/she/they sees fit, occasionally adding one of his/her/their own tracks.
What kind of food is served at Tokyo Record Bar?
A seven-course izakaya tasting menu is delivered to your seat expeditiously over the 1.5 hour seating. Ours began with an aperitif of sake and snacks such as togarashi coated popcorn, toasted pepitas, and spicy, fermented cucumbers. The courses that followed included interesting dishes like Kaluga Osetra Caviar Sushi and perfectly crispy, oilless Maitake Mushrooms Tempura with Agedashi Sauce. The sixth course—our favorite--was the tender, flaky, dashi-poached Cobia paired with sesame-braised cabbage and fried shallots.
And no meal is complete without something sweet. A homemade milk chocolate pudding with soy caramel, rice krispies and orange zest was as satisfying as it sounds. Of course, it couldn’t end there. For one final, whimsical, punctuating dish and with the mindset that nothing is sacred, we were presented with a slice of homemade pizza as a form of smile-inducing digestif.
Pro Tip: Tokyo Record Bar will accommodate dietary restrictions so long as those restrictions are provided ahead of time. Vegetarian, vegan and pescatarian options are available.
Is Tokyo Record Bar worth it?
Though the seven courses are small, they were more than enough to satisfy our hunger. The overall pricing ($50 per person at the time of publication) is actually very reasonable considering the quality and creativity. Note that drinks are extra and could quickly add up, so consider what you’re willing to spend there if cost is a factor.
What we liked best about Tokyo Record Bar was the vibe. There was a palpable feeling of inclusion and intimacy. When a song that you didn’t select--but that you love--comes on, you're exchanging a wink and a nod with your fellow diners. For a brief moment in time, while you relax, dine, and listen to records with your guest and sixteen strangers, you are a part of a collective, swapping songs and stories. And for an even briefer moment, in the dim lighting, amongst the light wood accents and furniture, under a ceiling blanketed with paper cherry blossoms, you feel like you’re somewhere else and not quite so entirely alone.
Pro Tip: On Monday to Wednesday from 10:30 pm - 2:00 am the basement flips to a late night hang with DJs playing records and an a la carte izakaya menu.
Location:
127 Macdougal St (Enter through Air’s)
Hours:
Mon-Wed 6:30 pm & 8:30 pm
Thu-Sat 6:30 pm & 8:30 pm & 10:30 pm
