Temple Records

Best New Bars Around Boston, According to Eater Editors | Eater Boston

"Chef Jamie Bissonnette, alongside business partners Babak Bina and Andy Cartin, opened a trio of new spots this spring in Downtown Crossing: Korean restaurant Somaek, subterranean sushi bar Sushi @ Temple Records, and a Japanese-influenced listening bar located above the sushi counter dubbed Temple Records. Here is where you go for a low-key night spent sipping Japanese spirits mixed into highballs and inventive cocktails — start with the Off Minor, a punchy, tart drink with gin, absinthe, yuzu, basil, and a melon liqueur — all set to a soundtrack of vinyl records playing everything from classic rock to pop or jazz. If you’re hungry, there’s a snacky bar menu available with items like karaage fried chicken, jwipo (Korean fish jerky) and peanuts, steak tartare, and mushroom and tofu dumplings, or mandu." - Erika Adams

Boston’s Hottest New Cocktail Bars

"Chef Jamie Bissonnette, alongside business partners Babak Bina and Andy Cartin, opened a trio of new spots this spring in Downtown Crossing: Korean restaurant Somaek, subterranean sushi bar Sushi @ Temple Records, and a Japanese-influenced listening bar located above the sushi counter dubbed Temple Records. Here is where you go for a low-key night spent sipping Japanese spirits mixed into highballs and inventive cocktails — start with the Off Minor, a punchy, tart drink with gin, absinthe, yuzu, basil, and a melon liqueur — all set to a soundtrack of vinyl records playing everything from classic rock to pop or jazz. If you’re hungry, there’s a snacky bar menu available with items like karaage fried chicken, jwipo (Korean fish jerky) and peanuts, steak tartare, and mushroom and tofu dumplings, or mandu." - Erika Adams, Eater Staff

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"A cool space with warm service, offering the best sushi in the city." - Erika Adams

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"Temple Records is a 'spirit-forward' listening bar overseen by Andy Cartin. The bar is likened to a Japanese cocktail lounge with a focus on interesting drinks like highballs and features an eccentric wine list." - Erika Adams

Chef Jamie Bissonnette’s Japanese-style listening bar pairs analog sound with cocktails, Japanese spirits, and izakaya snacks. Cited by The Boston Globe in 2025, it’s a downtown retreat where the soundtrack matters as much as the drink.