A new kind of bar just opened in Greenpoint, where the experience is not just about sipping top-notch cocktails in a well-designed environment, but about listening.
Aptly named Eavesdrop, the destination is a 36-seat cocktail and listening bar that seeks to mimic the experience New Yorkers usually have while hanging out in friends' apartments and "taking turns mixing on a cheap controller," says co-founder Dan Wissinger in an official statement about the opening. "We love New York's nightlife, but none of the places we knew replicated that living room," he says.
What, exactly, is a listening bar? Although similar spaces first popped up in Japan in the 1950s, they're now found all across the world, boasting high-end audio equipment playing a curated list of records. But the folks at Eavesdrop—where the front is a traditional cocktail bar and the back transforms into a listening space—wanted their project to "extend beyond 'expensive speakers in a bar,'" says designer Danny Taylor of audio consultant service House Under Magic.
And so, in additon to a state-of-the-art sound system, the 1,000-square-foot Eavesdrop is a beautifully designed destination that feels welcoming and also happens to serve a delicious food and drink menu.
Expect to indulge in small bites inspired by Japanese cuisine (sesame slaw, blistered tomatoes, sticky rice, miso and pepper carrots, among other offerings) and wash them down with natural wines and cocktails like the Moonstruck (Mckenzie empire rye, Faccio Brutto fernet, pineapple, lemon, mint) and House on a Hill (Pinhook bourbon, Forthave red, vermouth archivo, maple), among others.
But back to the music: on weekends, DJs focusing on a variety of genres—including hip hop, jazz, soul and deep house—will be spinning their tunes. On weekdays, on the other hand, attention will be paid to local labels, artists and record stores. And if you think the space worthy of your own highly curated musical collection, you'll be delighted to know that the staff is planning a "Bring Your Own Record" night in the near future.