While traveling in Japan in 2015 we were blown away by the listening bars and jazz kissa that we stumbled upon in Tokyo. The intimate spaces, the exceptional audiophile sound systems and, of course, the passionately curated music. When we returned to the U.S., we were equally blown away that no one in The States had, at that point, opened a bar like the ones we had experienced on our travels. So we set out to open a place that celebrated the connective and transcendent power of music, inspired by the Japanese jazz kissa.
We opened our doors in February 2019 with a focus on playing great albums in their entirety. We utilize more than 75 acoustic panels around the space and made numerous design choices that prioritize acoustics because we wanted to create a welcoming space where you could intentionally listen, but also have a conversation with your friends without raising your voice.
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While traveling in Japan in 2015 we were blown away by the listening bars and jazz kissa that we stumbled upon in Tokyo. The intimate spaces, the exceptional audiophile sound systems and, of course, the passionately curated music. When we returned to the U.S., we were equally blown away that no one in The States had, at that point, opened a bar like the ones we had experienced on our travels. So we set out to open a place that celebrated the connective and transcendent power of music, inspired by the Japanese jazz kissa.
We opened our doors in February 2019 with a focus on playing great albums in their entirety. We utilize more than 75 acoustic panels around the space and made numerous design choices that prioritize acoustics because we wanted to create a welcoming space where you could intentionally listen, but also have a conversation with your friends without raising your voice.
We also wanted to get back to an idea of “slow listening.” With (pretty much) every song ever written sitting on a device in our pockets, the art of the album has been largely lost in the streaming age. We wanted to create an environment where the full breadth and dynamics of an album could be appreciated and you might even hear a favorite in a new way.
Musically, we use jazz as our musical jumping off point. There is just something about analog instruments, recorded on tape, pressed on vinyl and played on an analog system that sounds incredible. It’s warm, it’s inviting and it has a three dimensional presence that is hard for digital mediums to emulate. For us, the true definition of jazz expands effortlessly into soul, funk, afrobeat, dub, hip hop and countless other genres, so if you come in thinking we’re strictly a “jazz bar” you may be surprised by some of the records we play.
Given the focus on music and our broader goals to strengthen and enliven community, we knew that Uptown Oakland was the only home for Bar Shiru. The neighborhood is an established cultural center and home to a thriving nightlife and music scene. Bar Shiru is a few short blocks from many other great bars and restaurants, a growing number of non-profit organizations and multiple live music venues, including the Fox Theater and the Paramount Theatre of the Arts.
Obviously the past few years have been tough. The pandemic ravaged our beloved nightlife community and there were times when we weren’t sure if we were going to make it. We want to thank everyone who helped us survive, the people who supported us when things were looking bleak and those who continue to show up to be a part of this inclusive community that we’re building together. We wouldn’t be here without you and can assure you, Bar Shiru is way better when you’re here.
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