Tokyo Record Bar
About Tokyo Record Bar
Nestled behind an unassuming storefront marked by a fox on MacDougal Street, Tokyo Record Bar brings the intimate "jewel box" vinyl culture of Japan to the heart of Greenwich Village. This dual-level venue operates as a sanctuary for audiophiles and food lovers alike, centered around a subterranean listening room where guests help curate the evening's soundtrack from an extensive vinyl collection. The atmosphere is obsessive in its pursuit of quality, pairing a high-end McIntosh Labs sound system with a vibrant, izakaya-style culinary program.
The experience is split between a street-level cocktail bar and a legendary underground omakase room. Upstairs, the vibe is energetic and eclectic with nightly DJs spinning everything from Disco to Cumbia; downstairs, the mood shifts to an intimate, communal dinner party. For private events, the venue offers a rare combination of high-concept dining and personalized entertainment, making it one of the most distinctive "hidden gem" locations in Manhattan for hosts looking to move beyond the traditional restaurant buyout.
Best For
- Exclusive subterranean omakase buyouts for up to 20 guests
- Street-level cocktail receptions for up to 40 guests with nightly DJs
- Semi-private group dinners in the Cocktail Bar for up to 15 guests
- Milestone birthday celebrations with creative vinyl soundtracks
- Intimate corporate team outings featuring a curated 7-course tasting menu
What Guests Are Saying
Event hosts highlight the unique interactive element where guests get to choose the vinyl records played during the seven-course meal.
Patrons frequently comment on the exceptional sound quality provided by the McIntosh Labs equipment and the curated feel of the 'hidden' entrance.
Groups praise the intimate, 'dinner party' vibe of the basement subterranean room, noting it feels like a private club rather than a standard restaurant.
Reviewers often mention the high quality of the izakaya-style dishes and the creative cocktail pairings curated by the beverage team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum capacity for a private dinner?▾
The subterranean Omakase dining room can accommodate up to 20 guests for an exclusive buyout, featuring a seven-course tasting menu and a custom vinyl soundtrack experience.
What are the options for larger cocktail parties?▾
The street-level Cocktail Bar is available for full buyouts for up to 40 guests. This space is ideal for standing receptions or seated dining and features an audiophile sound system with live DJs spinning nightly from 7:00 PM.
How does the music work for private events in the subterranean room?▾
The signature 'Vinyl Jukebox' experience involves a $95 per person seven-course omakase menu curated by the Chef. Guests in this room are invited to select records from the venue's collection to create the evening's playlist.
Are there semi-private options for smaller groups?▾
The venue consists of two distinct spaces: the street-level Cocktail Bar and the underground Omakase listening room. Groups of up to 15 can book a large table in the Cocktail Bar, while groups of up to 10 can be accommodated at a large table in the Omakase room on a non-private basis.
What are the standard seating times for the omakase experience?▾
The Vinyl Jukebox Omakase runs on a strict seating schedule. On Mondays and Tuesdays, seatings are at 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM. From Wednesday through Saturday, three seatings are offered at 6:00 PM, 8:00 PM, and 10:00 PM. Sundays follow a 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM, and 9:00 PM schedule.
Cocktail Bar (Large Table)
Semi-private dining experience with curated small bites or a family style dinner menu in our main cocktail bar area.
Cocktail Bar (Buyout)
Full cocktail bar buyout for exclusive use. Perfect for larger celebrations with standing reception or seated dining options. Located at street level.
Omakase (Large Table)
Non-private Omakase dining experience. Seven-course menu curated by our Chef in the subterranean dining room.
Omakase (Buyout)
Exclusive Omakase buyout of the subterranean dining room. Seven-course menu curated by our Chef with a personalized vinyl soundtrack experience.