Shibuya HiFi

I’ve been twice now, most recently having attended a listening session for Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories (one of my favorite albums). This is a really cool spot that with just a few changes and improvements, I think could really be something special. You need to make a reservation for any of the listening sessions they’re hosting. Selection of different album sessions is pretty goood, and they also have themed nights for certain artists and genres. Drinks are solid with a bit limited of a menu, but my main gripe is that you can’t bring drinks into the HiFi room (where the listening sessions happen). You also have to take your shoes off when entering (not a big deal), but it’s a bit annoying that you can’t bring drinks in. I understand the risk of drinks spilling, but coasters seem like an easy solution to this. Especially when listening to a longer album, you want to enjoy your drink and not have to step out to have it. The interior design is beautiful, both for the main lounge and the HiFi room. However, some of the furniture in the HiFi room is not comfy at all. If you’re not early into the que to get in, you kinda get screwed by having last pick of where you sit. Don’t sit on the colored stools or high chairs in the back. They are not comfy, and it feels like you’re sitting outside of the main circle at a party, if that makes any sense. Don’t let the 1 star reviews fool you though, this place has changed a lot since those reviews were made. It’s clear a lot of improvements have been made, and it’s evident that this a passion project of the owners. I definitely recommend making a reservation and checking it out for an album you really like. With a little more work, this place would be a premiere vinyl bar for Seattle.

Shibuya HiFi is an absolute gem, and I highly recommend everyone check it out. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with an effortlessly cool yet welcoming atmosphere, perfect for socializing over drinks. The interior design is simply stunning—elegant, modern, and thoughtfully curated with art and records. What really sets Shibuya HiFi apart, though, is the HiFi room. This is where the magic happens. Guests are invited to get comfortable on stylish custom furniture and fully immerse themselves in the experience of listening to albums played on high-end vintage speakers. The sound quality is incredible—warm, rich—and it makes for a magical experience with friends that sets this place apart from others. The blend of great ambiance, top-tier sound, and impeccable attention to detail makes it a must-visit spot in Ballard.

I came here with my dinnerclub to listen to Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring and it was magical. I loved how it was set up with insight into the history of the score and what happened when it first debuted, paired with a thoughtful description about the specialness of the space. It's an immersive experience that left me feeling more connected to the powerful impact of music. It's a space to be in community around a common adoration of a musician or album, or music in general. We need more places like this in Seattle.

Was invited out for a listening party. I've never been to one so I thought I'd try it out. I was disappointed with the outcome. I paid $25 just to sit down in a room to listen to an old BIGGIE album. Also, you can't wear shoes and you can't drink or eat in the listening room. I found that really odd. The furniture was comfy tho. You'd think the room would be sound proof also, but you can hear noises from the main room, between the changing of the the vinyl. The main room was coo though. Good vibes, chill music and plenty of room. Don't have to pay to be in the main room. I only had the house tequila and a single was $14. Service is awesome.

What an incredible experience! There's nothing like it in Seattle, and you absolutely have to go. The listening room is the main event, but don't overlook the lounge. It's a stunning place to hang out with friends, sipping artfully made cocktails. No TVs, dim lighting, perfect analog music, bespoke furniture, and incredibly friendly staff with no cover? Yes, please! The listening room itself is mind-blowing, and not just because of the music. The art and furniture complement the incredible sound system wonderfully, enhancing the entire experience. If you're looking for something new to do, love music, and appreciate great ambiance, you have to check out Shibuya HiFi.

I really enjoy the space aesthetically, but even if there is a lot of intention with the different pieces of audio equipment, if the actual audio isn’t impressive, what am I paying for? I almost wish that they had implemented some sort of audio experience similar to that of movie theaters, with surround sound and better bass. Given that I paid $23 per ticket, I don’t think that having lush audio is too much to ask for. I really enjoyed that there was a lot of intention and history in the actual listening room, but I wish they went a step further to dim the overhead house lights to accentuate the opera chandeliers that were sourced, and that there was soundproofing of some sort to better the audio experience. The people involved in the experience made coming here at least a little worth it this first time, but I don’t see myself coming back here unless the audio experience improves.

Beautifully done music listening room with an OK bar. Could be so much better! Still worth a visit and I will be going back. The bar itself is nothing special. It LOOKS amazing, but the drinks are quite expensive and the 2 times I've been, they were not made very well. I've seen other reviews call this out so I think it's a running issue. The bar space is lovely, and decorated so well. It's a shame the drinks aren't more of a focus as this could be an amazing spot with the music they play. The listening experience was so amazing. I wasn't sure what to expect. As someone who loves music, this gave me goosebumps most of the time. Super clear and balanced audio and the room itself is very cozy. Will definitely be back to try different albums out. Overall, great experience and worth the money. If the owners read this, please consider tweaking the drinks a bit! I love this type of concept and want this bar/lounge to be amazing.

Shibuya brings the listening room concept that people in Japan love to do, to Ballard. I was there on their first night and there are some kinks to work out, but don't wait to check it out. I have full faith the owners will make it great. Already stocked with vinyl and vintage audio gear, you can bring your own records or just pick from theirs at the bar. The decor is super cool, and the bar feels like it is right out of Japan (just a little bigger 😜). The full listening experience is $50, and requires a reservation. The listening room is amazing, and the Klipschorn speakers they have sound fantastic. The room is chill and comfy and the acoustics are amazing. Areas to improve: The listening experience is a little pricey for only 3-4 songs. The bar program needs to step it up, still feels like club cocktails rather than a craft experience. No champagne by the glass, and the drink list is limited. The background noise in the bar area makes listening to records in the bar only possible while sitting at the bar. They have a plan to improve this. All up, the owners are super friendly and the staff was great, they just need some time to polish the experience. Go check them out!!!

Had a great time! Cocktails were great and the listening room was a really amazing experience. Definitely will be back

Contrary to other reviews, they did a stellar job on the night we went describing in great detail everything about the music, the history of the artists and the specific records, the sound systems, the space's design, and how they approach the music they showcase. We had a great time and learned a ton - about 15 minutes of the night was spent on introductions and descriptions. For the 6pm hifi room reservation, we were brought in around 6 25pm, the music started spinning at 6 45pm, and the listening sessions ended promptly at 8pm. You were encouraged to stay afterwards and ask questions, and walk around and enjoy the space, read the books on display, etc. No, you are not allowed to wear shoes in the space, and yes, it does smell faintly sour and could use some scent remediation, but it's not overly distracting. You're not allowed to bring drinks in the hifi room, but they offer to chill any unfinished ones for you to resume later. The attention to design curation of the hifi room was very interesting. The art piece is by local artist Christy Hopkins - and it's inset framed into the wall finish. The 2 aluminum and parchment pendant lights once filled at 25ft tall space in Beniroya Hall, and they own all 10 originals. Much of the furniture was custom made for the space locally in SoDo, and the large rug is an authentic Afghan rug. Love the variety of listening sessions this space offers, and looking forward to coming back and for more listening experiences! Thank you for a thoughtful and informative evening.

I really wanted to like this place better. The good: this is an audiophile's dream. Their listening room is a beautiful setup with wonderful acoustics. We had reservations to listen to John Coltrane's 1960 Giant Steps album, sides A & B. It was beautiful. When I closed my eyes I could almost imagine the musicians were in the room with me, spread out around the room. Shibuya HiFi is modeled after listening bars that are well known in the Shibuya district of Tokyo. I have been to a couple of these bars, and I would consider Shibuya HiFi, in fact, at the upper end of what you might experience there. If only we had decent seats... The bad: we had reservations for the 3 of us at 6:00. Our assumption was that we needed to be prompt, lest we miss out. Given its Japanese theme, we expected that things would happen promptly (as they do in Japan). My girlfriend got off work early in order to make it. Her son came with her (it was our treat to him, in particular, given his love of music). I rushed over from an appointment. Then we sat. And we sat some more. In fact, we didn't go into the listening room until nearly 6:50. In other words, we didn't need to rush. It really set the tone for the night (despite the good tunes). Maybe the point was to ensure that we bought some of their very expensive cocktails? The ugly: even though we arrived at 6:00 and had reservations, there really were no comfy seats to sit in. The comfy seats were all taken or "reserved." We sat at a bar that had beautiful high seats that were terribly uncomfortable to sit in. We saw some people in the bar area get up and head towards the listening room around 6:40. We thought maybe they were going to the restroom (it was in the same general direction). But as it turns out they were heading to get in line in order to enter the listening room. Clearly they knew something that we didn't. About 6:45 we were told to queue up for the listening room. Fortunately, we were fast, so we were pretty close to the front of the line. Then a small group of other individuals--maybe they had some sort of VIP pass?--was escorted past the line and into the room. They were able to secure the most comfortable, and best seats for listening, in the room. Then the doors open and the rush was on. We really didn't know what was going on, and ended up not able to sit together. A couple of us were able to get seats in the center that were reasonably comfortable, facing forward. One of us got seats at a table facing away from the speakers. We noticed some other unlucky folks that got bar seats (yes, those insanely uncomfortable ones) at the back of the room. Those folks ended up leaving early. The music was great, but how the evening unfolded was not the experience we had hoped for. It should have been a wonderful experience with all of us together. Despite our having reservations, we were left listening to the music apart, with one of us in particular having a much less than optimal listening experience. Our evening should have been a lot better than it was.

This was a really unique experience! Great for music lovers if you want to nerd out about an album, artist, or sound equipment. The space is absolutely gorgeous and you can tell that a lot of thought went into designing it. The whole place feels like it was someone's passion project and they're really into music, vinyl, and creating an elevated experience. I said that the listening room felt like being in a really cool wealthy person's living room. I would definitely recommend dressing up a little bit for the occasion. It has speakeasy vibes. This would be a great place for a date night! We went to for a listening party and it was really cool to have someone be kind of a music spirit guide for us and adjust the volume and settings for optimal sound quality. There was a little bit of sound interference from the lounge during quiet parts of the album. A few things that are helpful to know: no drinks allowed in the listening room. I wish they had told us that when we bought the drink. We were sipping slowly with the intention of bringing it with us and then had to chug it when it was time to go into the listening room. You also have to take off your shoes when you get in, which makes sense and was a nice touch, but I wasn't expecting that, so wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off and nice socks. Sure, I probably could have found all of this info on the website but for first timers it's always good to have someone tell them the house rules. They asked us at the door if we'd been here before so that would be a good time to let us know about these things. I wasn't a fan of having bar stools in the back. All the seats should be comfortable and the bar stools are beautiful but are just not comfy enough for the listening experience. It sucks when it's your first time and you don't know that you're supposed to rush in to get a good seat, otherwise you're just stuck with an uncomfortable one for the length of an entire album while others get to sit on nice couches and chairs. I think seating should be assigned to avoid this and bar stool seats should be cheaper than comfortable seats. It also would have been nice to have more opportunities for conversation before and after the album. My partner and I wanted to hear more about what other people in the room were thinking and how the album connected with them. Maybe an optional Q&A or ice breaker at the beginning or end of the session would be nice. We did meet one person in the lounge before the listening party but it's not exactly an inviting experience for making friends and meeting new people. Everyone was kind of on their own but in the same room if that makes sense. I think a facilitated conversation would help this.

Really cute place that has a great vibe. It's good for talking since the music isn't too loud, and I like how they have different listening events which you can find online. It's a bit difficult to find since there is no sign by the front door and is quiet outside. it's just a large green door exactly where Google maps says the place is located. The drinks were pretty expensive (around $20) and not anything particularly mind blowing. But the service was wonderful. I made a reservation online, which I would recommend if you want to have a nicer table.

Yuzu Jidori Chicken ramen was delicious. Service was wonderful- will definitely come back!

My friends and I tried out Shibuya HiFi since it was new to the area. The space itself was quite large, with plenty of seating options ranging from cozy corners to more communal areas. Surprisingly, it wasn't too crowded, even though it was a Saturday night, which made it easy to settle in and get comfortable. However, the drink menu left a lot to be desired. For a bar, the selection was pretty limited, and it got even more disappointing when I found out that two of the drinks I wanted to try were unavailable because they were out of the necessary ingredients. It would have been helpful if our waitress had mentioned this upfront, especially since she directed us to check out the menu online. That small oversight put a damper on the experience, as I had to reconsider my options last minute. Despite these hiccups, the highlight of Shibuya HiFi was definitely the listening room. The person in charge of the room was incredibly enthusiastic and passionate about the music. He carefully curated a selection of songs to show off the room's sound system, and it was honestly a fantastic experience. The acoustics were impressive, allowing us to hear nuances in the music that you wouldn't catch in a typical bar setting. His energy and love for the music made the experience feel personal and special.

Best time to come for the deep listening is the 6 pm one since there's barely anyone in the main lounge area. They're still working on sound proofing the deep listening area. Event didn't fully start until 630...and then it was a dash to the comfy seats, otherwise you will be on a bar stool. No drinks or food is allowed inside the deep listening area as well as you have to take off your shoes. There's barely any food on the menu anyways. Came for Sade and there was some dust on the vinyl record so the owner played an extra song after listening to Lovers Rock. My advice...make sure to line up for the deep listening room and make sure your shoes are easy slip on and off shoes. I had zip up boots and ended up in a booth... Also...their bass isn't the best so choose a deep listening session that's more vocal focused.

This is the second time I've been here. The first was part of a Yelp Elite event so I understand the experience was planned differently for that event. After listening to a couple songs in the HiFi room, I was interested in listening to an album that I knew and as soon as I saw the schedule I immediately booked to listen to Channel Orange. The reservations are $20 per person and pretty straight forward. Not sure why they call it a deposit? We got there a little after our "5pm" reservation. I liked that they allot time to check in and mingle before starting the listening session. The check in process was easy and we were greeted and informed on the process of the reservation. I loved the Fade-out drink when I first tried it and got it again. The drinks are super strong here! I would like to see a mix of interesting drinks here and play with non-traditional flavors given the name of the establishment. The HiFi room is amazing! I won't spoil too much because the hosts are the subject experts on the speakers, the room, the art in the room, etc. All I can say it's very carefully curated and thought out. You can tell a lot of passion came into this space. This type of experience is also what you are paying for as well as listening to your favorite music in a way you never have before. I've told all my friends about it and we're all excited to come back :)

I've been here on two occasions--once for the main lounge, and once for the hifi room--and the only one that was worth it was the hifi room experience. The hifi room experience is fantastic, especially if they're playing an album you like. You have to reserve online in advance, which includes a $20 deposit that you can use to cover a drink. The hifi listening experience actually starts 30 mins after the listed time, which gives you the opportunity to grab a drink and enjoy the main lounge before heading to the separate listening room. The room is beautifully decorated and has comfy seating, and has a couple different types of speakers for deep listening. The room isn't sound-proof though, so you can definitely hear noise from the main lounge during song transitions. The main lounge looks like a regular bar, with some cool vinyl-inspired finishing touches. Although you don't need a reservation, it's probably best to get one because they fill up pretty fast. The acoustics aren't great in the lounge area, so you don't actually get to hear the records that well. And for a $20 deposit and very average drinks, it's just not worth it. Since the hifi experience is the same price and you get to have both experiences, that's the only one that I would come back for.

This place is dope - they're just figuring it out and I think it will only get better. I liked my drink, but I do think the menu could be spiced up a little, as it's pretty limited and nothing stands out. The discreet entrance door really does it for me. I also love the interior of the whole place. The listening experience was a 10/10. It was a more lively album, but we weren't able to hear anyone in the main room as another review mentioned. I think it's so rad to have the ability to experience music like that on 1970s equipment with incredible sound, surrounded by people enjoying together. Can't wait to bring music-loving friends here.

What an incredible experience! There's nothing like it in Seattle, and you absolutely have to go. The listening room is the main event, but don't overlook the lounge. It's a stunning place to hang out with friends, sipping artfully made cocktails. No TVs, dim lighting, perfect analog music, bespoke furniture, and incredibly friendly staff with no cover? Yes, please! The listening room itself is mind-blowing, and not just because of the music. The art and furniture complement the incredible sound system wonderfully, enhancing the entire experience. If you're looking for something new to do, love music, and appreciate great ambiance, you have to check out Shibuya HiFi.

Ambiance is incredible. This is the most ideal lounge for both introverts and music connoisseurs. The knowledge of the hosts, welcoming energy, and the aesthetic of this space make this experience incredibly unique. Most importantly, the sound systems are of authentic and excellent quality. Can't wait to come back!!

Oh what a VIBE this place has. Mid century everywhere, gorgeous bar and plenty of staff. Just dark enough and excellent beats. But the reason you've heard of this place is the Hifi room in the back. No drinks, shoes off, it suddenly becomes a sonic retreat in your night, only to come back out, soul refreshed from the beats and care to surround you with a hifi record experience. Definitely worth checking out and if it's your thing, support this biz. What a cool add to Ballard where you already have a million choices but this one is unlike any others.

Don't get me wrong, three stars is still pretty good. However, I see so much potential with Shibuya HiFi. I reserved tickets on Valentine's Day for a deep listening to Sade's Lovers Rock, which is an album my husband and I enjoy. Keep in mind the reservation cost only covers the reservation and is not applicable to cover your drinks. We got there at 6 pm to enjoy a cocktail in the corner before doors opened for the HiFi Room. I appreciate the spaciousness of the lounge area. Since it is a Wednesday night, we were able to have a nice conversation without yelling at each other. My husband was nerding out on the sound. When I replayed my mini snippet of our drinks in the lounge later in the evening, I was blown away how clear it is. When the room finally opened, I did not realize no drinks are allowed so I ended up chugging the rest of my Bronx. Also, no shoes allowed so make sure you are wearing nice clean socks. The set up is cozy, I think there were 30 people in the room. Our host of the night is Brian and I appreciate him taking the time to share tidbits about the album, speakers and even making adjustments when needed. After listening to the album, I appreciate the space Shibuya creates for listeners to just be present with the music. I have read other reviews mentioning that you can hear the sound from the lounge creep into the HiFi Room. Since it was a chill Wednesday night, we didn't hear anything from the lounge. Brian did mention they are in the works for getting a theatre screen to help with blocking out the sound from the lounge. For the cocktails, my husband got the Fadeout and I the Bronx. I thought both cocktails were fine. I do think they have room to come up with a couple more house special cocktails as the menu is limited. When I do come back, I'll probably ask the bartender to make something for me. There's no food on the menu but I think it would be nice if they offered some snacks like a cheese plate or charcuterie. While I thought the bartender did a decent job making drinks and managing the line, I think there could be a second bartender that night to help with the line. We didn't feel motivated to wait in line after our listening session ended so we just ended up lounging around until it was time to walk over to our next stop. Overall, I think Shibuya is a great place to relax and enjoy music. I can only see them improving more and I can't wait to come back for another HiFi experience.

I think this concept is super cool, I was looking forward to this place and imagined that I would frequent this place regularly. However, I'm disappointed by the experience and by the lack of change irregardless of the critiques received. Many of these reviews say the same thing over and over but irregardless the experience remains unchanged. 1) there is no intro to the album being played. I have gone to a listening party of historic albums who have gotten no intro but the name of the artist and the title of the album. If we are paying $20+ per person than at the bare minimum the intro should explore what makes this album worth listening to start to finish and for many of them the themes they explore and the major impact they may have had. 2) no where in the reservation is there any information on the fact that no drinks are allowed inside the listening area. If this is being sold as a vinyl bar but no drinks are allowed? That seems a bit silly. I'm made to pound down my $20 drink moments before sitting for an hour with strangers. There is no real reason why silicone or some kind of equivalent drink can't be allowed. If Seattle symphony can figure out a way for people to drink and enjoy the music I'm sure you can as well. 3). No warning regarding no shoes. Truly no reason and no warning. Nothing about this place is Japanese so truly this is a bit ridiculous. 4) uneven sound system. Isn't that why we are there staring at random people? 5) no lyrics to the album or any other immersive experience. Nothing about this experience is unique or leaves you wanting to return which is concerning. 6) uncomfortable chairs, my husband was left to sit on a stool for the one hour paid vinyl experience. Overall, the concept is great but the fact that reviews are being ignored by management is concerning. Very few people will find a reason to return as this experience is bland, pretentious and leaves you wishing for more.

The negative reviews are really weird. This was one of the best experiences I've had in a while. The drinks were great, service at the bar was fast and convenient. The style of the HiFi room was set up to comfortably listen to the album from any seat. The deep appreciation for music and culture is evident throughout. I feel like a lot of confusion I've read on this results from a lack of reading. The FAQ on the website outlines everything you need to know. If you don't read things like that, you won't know what to expect. I enjoyed the ambience of this place and loved the atmosphere. It is one of the few places in Seattle where you can expect to feel classy and present in the moment. It is still Seattle though, so you will be amongst those who think it's okay to wear sweats and hoodies to a place that very clearly has a dress code. If that was strongly enforced, this place would be perfect. I look forward to coming back :)

I've been here twice so far -- once for a Yelp Elite event and then a 2nd time for a regular paid experience (reservation for Portishead in the HiFi room). It can be a bit confusing for a newcomer so here are some basics. - There is the lounge (main area) and then the Hi-Fi room. The HiFi room is reservation only - and you can check the schedule online. It's typically released for about 1 month prior. Sometimes if a particular listening session sells out, they will add another one that same night (e.g. 6:30 and then 8:00). - You have to take your shoes off in the HiFi room and there are no drinks or food allowed, so keep in mind the timing if you are enjoying drinks in the lounge. I'm a big music fan (although not knowledgeable at all about sound systems, etc.) so really appreciate this place! Shibuya HiFi is great but I feel has room for some improvements as well. Pros: - Such a unique experience. There isn't anywhere else like this in Seattle (that I'm aware of) for this type of listening experience. Audio is top notch and as of the last time I visited (mid-Feb) they were working on a few updates too. It also makes for a fun activity besides just getting a drink at a bar. I enjoyed myself a lot both times I went. - Brian (co-owner) is great! Fun to chat with and has some fun stories. You can tell he's very passionate about what he does. - I enjoyed the Fadeout cocktail Things that could be improved: - The email confirmation said the listening session was 6;30. However, when we arrived at 6:05 or so (for a quick drink at the bar), we were told the session is actually at 7:00! Ugh. I understand they may want everyone there before 7:00 so that it's smooth getting everyone into the Hi-Fi room, but we were rushing to get there and didn't really need to. Maybe putting the actual time and making it clear that if you're not there 10 min before that time, you risk losing your spot or something... - I wish the drink list had a bit more variety and some food items as well! Maybe in due time... - There are some comfy chairs and couches in the HiFi room but then the rest is a booth (kind of upright) and then backless stools. If you don't rush into the room, you may get a backless stool (depending on how full the room is) so not the most relaxing to be sitting in for 45 min or so. All in all, I really like this place and want them to succeed! Hopefully some of the items mentioned above will improve over time :)

Great Idea, Poorly Presented! Went here last night. Group of 4 celebrating our friends. Our experience was very disappointing. Wanted to love it - but it was a huge miss for us. Went to the bar first and ordered 4 drinks. 3 of one kind and one other. The bar tender made the 3 drinks and there was only enough to fill the classes all 2/3 full. She was aware of this and hesitated, turned to fix it but then another party came up behind so she did not remake/fill them. This was very obvious to everyone there. $80. Drinks were fine. Not cool nor professional The Hifi room is gorgeous. Comfortable and well designed. Could be amazing. Yet our host just 'called it in'. She gave almost no history of the artist, of the space or the beautiful equipment. There was the opportunity to really explain how music listening has evolved, the amazing features of analog recording. The beauty of listening to music as it was intended. She looked at the floor as she spoke to us. The album played. Volume so low that it did not fill the room as it was designed. Really - I am old and the volume sucked. The LED lights were on bright above - ugh - you get it. This was a place that could really shine but either the training is poor, it was just an off night or they think that a C is still passing. I would not recommend this place and that is too bad because it really could be so much better. Dave - Seattle

One of the best experiences of my life!!! We came in without reservations so I was worried about not being able to get a spot in the listening session but the host was able to squeeze us in which we were so grateful for. We are not the most fluent on cocktails but to our amateur tastebuds the drinks tasted great. We got to listen to the first press of rubber soul by the Beatles which was a surreal experience. (I will never forget hearing in my life in that room...) The interior is very well done and seeing the level of intention with the speakers is awesome. A great and one of a kind experience for any audiophile, especially on a deep listening day. We will definitely be back!

Host was so lovely! Very informative about the album and sound system. Had a great experience would recommend.

New favorite bar alert! Husband and I made a Saturday night HiFi Room Experience reservation and I couldn't recommend it more. Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted and given some time for cocktails before being escorted to the HiFi Room. The star of this bar is definitely ownership and management-- Jerry, the general manager, chatted with us while we were having cocktails and his passion shone through in such a way that we were so excited to get to the HiFi Room. There, we were led on a sonic journey by the co-owners Brian and Quentin who were so warm and knowledgeable, you just want to be their best friends. The HiFi Room is seriously like the best living room you've ever been in and the sound quality will ruin your favorite music streaming platform for you but boy, is it worth it. Will you find me in this audiophile's paradise every weekend? Probably.

Had high hopes, alas this missed the mark by a wide margin. Limited number of expensive drinks on offer, no food and if you want to 'listen' to an album, that'll cost $20. Service is so-so and ambiance is leftover from the space's previous tenants (Cedar Bar). Our experience was that we signed up for a listening session and when we got there, learned they didn't actually have the album so they provided a refund (nice) and let us into the listening room where the vinyl jockey would spin whatever but it ended up being so bad we got up and left. The vinyl they have are in no order at all - not by alphabet, music style - nothing, completely random so when were asked what kind of music we wanted to hear and we responded, the person couldn't find anything. Have visited great vinyl bars in Tokyo where there was no cover charge, loads of beverage choice and food. Vibe in the Tokyo spots was relaxed and friendly whereas in Shibuya Hi-Fi it feels sterile and to top it all off, you cannot take drinks into the listening room plus they make you take your shoes off - for what? This exact model does not exist in Tokyo that we experienced and if it did exist there as-is, it would be empty. In the listening room, they have loads of soft furniture in front of the speakers and while I am no acoustical engineer, would think all this furniture impacts the sound coming out of the speakers. Only a handful of 'sweet spot' seats, so if you go, be first in line. Also be aware if there are any 'friends' of the owners present, they will get the best seats. Sadly won't be returning and I wish the owner success.

During my visit back home in Seattle, one of the first things I looked into booking was a night at Shibuya HiFi with my friends. We love to have drinks at a local Japanese record bar in Honolulu and was excited there was a similar experience in the PNW! Due to the good music theme selections, some of the really good nights were sold out but I managed to find a booking to listen to Kraftwerk. Kraftwerk is very influential in areas of the music industry and history of the last few decades... yet I had no clue who they were before this. Although their music is interesting, I most enjoyed hearing the co-owner of Shibuya HiFi talk about his childhood growing up listening to Kraftwerk and poignant moments in his life that tie to their music. We also got to hear about how he bought the vintage speakers in the room and hear from the speakers previous owner's grandson talk about memories with his grandfather and his speakers. Really it was those moments that made the evening! While you can grab a cocktail and listen to music out front and chat with friends, the listening room is very strict about shoes, drinks, food, and talking. I do wish they could offer maybe water without ice, or maybe cold cocktails in yeti tumblers without ice? But I do understand the reasonings for each of these choices overall. Every time I plan a trip back home, I will check their listening schedule for a great listening session!

Went there with a date this past weekend. Made a reservation for 8pm. Showed up on time but there was no one to check us in, so we wondered to the back area (more on this area later). Suddenly an employee scurried up to us to ask if we had a reservation. Once he established we did, he seated us. The seating was mildly comfortable. Our waiter was great, tho. Our first round of drinks was good. The second round, my date wasn't sure what to order, so she told the waiter she wanted something sweet with Gin. He said he would have the bartender make her something. What he came back with was delicious! The sound in the main front bar area was fine. The place was crowded with lots of folks talking, so we couldn't really hear much. The waiter spoke with us a bit about the back room, with the special hi-fi sound system. He mentioned that it should be clearing out in 10 minutes, so we could go back then and check it out. A while later as we were getting ready to leave, we gathered our things and went to the back area to check it out. We wandered down the hall to that area, but the doors were closed, so we turned around and started walking back when the DJ, Jerry, came hurrying up to us to ask us what we were doing. We told him, and then he proceeded to lecture us. "You should always talk to your parents first before opening a closed door" he said to us in a snotty way. I don't remember paying for attitude. So despite the yummy drinks, we left with a bad taste in our mouths.

I would say that if it doesn't work out -it's an execution issue vs a concept issue- the place is big and like cute but this was one of the worst Micheladas I've had in my life and the sound system of this vinyl bar isn't good because the space is too big-

Interesting spot because I used to come here when it was some club. It still have that club vibe to it. We didn't get to experience the special music thing that we had come for. I guess it was only for special occasions or slmething. But not a bad spot to lounge with friends and share some cocktails.

Drinks are ok not great but it's fine in the long run for the cost. The atmosphere is great and the amazing music they play is also on point. I love these jazz kissa style cafe and bars. I love going to maiden voyage too here in Seattle. The only let down is it doesn't matter in the end what they are playing or what they are playing on. The typical patron has no idea what the place is and all you're doing to hear is just a bunch of people talking. There truly isn't a point to really go there then in the end sadly. The music isn't really noticeable and the awesome speakers do not matter if the music is played quietly in the background. Now the hifi room is amazing however same issue. You just hear the loud main room. Bummer really :(.

This place has potential to be great. Hip, mid-century space, with lots of room to lounge. Fantastic managerial experience (Jerry was awesome!), however, they need to either get more bartenders or teach them to make a better cocktail. Servers walking through the club were not able to articulate the cocktail menu nor what other types of drinks were available. The listening room was cool, however, music shouldn't have to be adjusted several times due to technical issues as it was last Friday night. Additionally, you can hear what is happening in the main bar while trying to have the intimate listening experience in the listening lounge. Probably not a big deal except when you are trying to listen to a quieter album. The place has potential and I will go back, but some thought and planning needs to be put into the concept for it to rise to the level of something you would experience in Japan.

The cocktails were ok. It'd be nice if they had a little more variety I think personally. The music tended to be more jazz, which is not generally my jam either. That said the space was really pretty and lovely. It almost has a speakeasy entrance because there's no sign or anything to indicate you're actually in the right spot aside from the street number and map location. The HiFi room was pretty cool. It's a very unique experience to listen to music that way and I could imagine coming back for an artist specific or genre specific listening party. It can be a lot to quietly listen to music for an hour though without having your drink nearby and having to put your shoes back on and step out each time you want a sip. I understand but I wonder if there might be a format to allow some drink breaks or something. Overall it was unique and I'd recommend trying it once. I don't know if I'd go back too frequently but I do like the concept!

Decent enough drinks. SF prices, were told hifi room was sold out online and when we arrived despite the place being empty. Placed smelled of BO when we showed up. Bartender was great but were asked to leave before midnight despite being told they closed an hour later. I had my hopes up, but I left very disappointed.

I've been here twice now and I was seriously underwhelmed both times. This place has such great potential but I'm no longer interested enough to keep waiting for it to become great. The drink menu is quite limited and I was surprised to see no Asian-inspired drinks given that the bar is called Shibuya lol I wasn't necessarily impressed by any of the drinks I tried either. In total I've tried 6 of their cocktails? I ordered a moscow mule off menu too and it wasn't good haha how do you mess up a moscow mule?! The seating is strange and makes it difficult to have a conversation with people. The music is so loud that you can't even hear it. After I visited the first time, my friends asked me how the music was and I couldn't give them an answer.. because I genuinely couldn't remember. They initially gave me shit for it but then they went themselves and admitted they also couldn't make out the music either. At least the actual bar is pretty to look at?

This is a really nice place. Had reservations for Friday night (12/1/12) and pre paid $10 per person for my reservation online. Now this is when it gets kinda weird. Upon entering the bar and getting checked in we were told that it's open seating and 400 plus ppl bought tickets for that night. I thought when you prepay for a reservation it guarantees you a spot to sit? This isn't a night club lol. When is the last time you've made reservations for a nice restaurant and they tell you it's full but you can sit somewhere when it opens? Never! We were in the corner on the west side of the bar by the speaker. There was no server so had to get up and go wait in line for a drink which took 20 min. To be such a nice place they have to do better with their service. No way anyone should be getting up to wait in line to pay for a drink that's $15. Failed opportunity for execution this place could really be cool.

I love what they are trying to do but the execution leaves a lot to be desired. The drinks are mediocre, the bar is poorly stocked. Worst of all the acoustics in the main room are terrible. There are way too many hard surfaces and given the power of the speakers it's unpleasant. Service was nice though.

I love it here, I'll come again and again for the HiFi experience for a vinyl I want to hear or even someone I don't know bc the ambiance is relaxing and peaceful. Sound quality is great and the staff is really passionate about the space they provide.

Shibuya HiFi is an absolutely incredible place in Seattle! It's in the heart of Ballard, the vibe is super cool, the sound system is clearly superior and the music selected is always on point. I'd highly recommend taking in a listening session in the curated Listening Room, Quinten is an awesome curator of a great experience. I can not recommend Shibuya enough!

Place is terrific! Awesome experience. Very highly recommended. Great addition to the neighborhood.

I have to say I am disappointed. This is a very unique experience, for very specific people, and I am not the target audience. I really wanted to like this but for $20/per person (that does not contribute to drinks, only to access the Hifi room) is too steep. You are just sitting in a room with other 15+ people for an hour listening to a vinyl record with no conversation/discussion allowed. I did appreciate hearing the background of the artist and learning more about the album however it felt a little uncomfortable and was kind of hard to stay engaged while listening. Basically just staring at a wall listening to music in a very quiet room. You're not even allowed to bring your overpriced/mid cocktails inside. I also don't really get a sense of Japanese influence at all beyond the coffee books in the room either. It's just personal not for me. I see the vision and it's a cool concept it just needs some work.