Tokyo Record Bar is a two-level listening room and Japanese-inspired restaurant at 127 MacDougal St in Greenwich Village, New York City, modeled on the vinyl “jewel box” bars of Tokyo. A DJ-led cocktail lounge sits at street level, and a seven-course Vinyl Jukebox Omakase, where guests choose the records, is served in the basement. Travelers come for the audiophile sound system, the izakaya-style snacks, and one of the more unusual tasting-menu formats in Manhattan.
What to Expect at Tokyo Record Bar
The street-level listening room is the easier way in. It pairs elevated cocktails and izakaya-style bar snacks with a rotating lineup of DJs who play from a deep vinyl collection through a high-fidelity system built for close listening rather than background noise. The format works for a first drink before dinner nearby or a late stop after a MacDougal Street night out.
Downstairs, the Vinyl Jukebox Omakase is the signature experience. Each seating is a seven-course tasting menu built on Latino-influenced, Japanese-inspired dishes by Chilean-born Head Chef Ignacia Valdez, and guests help write the night’s soundtrack by choosing songs from a decade-spanning vinyl menu. The kitchen picks the food and the table picks the mood, a reversal that sets it apart from conventional omakase counters in the city.
- Vinyl Jukebox Omakase: A seven-course basement tasting menu with an izakaya sensibility, paced around the records the table selects.
- Vinyl Menu: A printed catalog of records spanning multiple decades; diners choose the songs that play during their seating.
- Street-Level Listening Room: A cocktail lounge with a nightly DJ lineup and an audiophile-grade sound system.
- Elevated Cocktails and Bar Snacks: A Japanese-inflected drinks program with small plates suited to sharing between sets.
- Chef Ignacia Valdez’s Cooking: Chilean roots meet Japanese technique in a menu that blends Latino and Japanese flavors.
Tokyo Record Bar at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 127 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Greenwich Village, Lower Manhattan |
| Operating Hours | Mon–Wed 5:30 PM–12 AM; Thu–Sat 5:30 PM–1 AM; Sunday closed |
| Admission / Price Range | $$$$ (omakase tasting menu priced at the high end; cocktail bar is à la carte) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1.5 to 2.5 hours for the omakase; 45 to 90 minutes in the listening room |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | West 4th St–Washington Sq (A, B, C, D, E, F, M) about a 5-minute walk; limited street parking and nearby commercial garages |
| Official Website & Phone | tokyorecordbar.com | +1 212-420-4777 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Book the omakase in advance through the venue’s reservation page, since seatings are limited to the basement room and weekend evenings fill early. The listening room can be easier to enter on weeknights, and arriving soon after the 5:30 PM opening gives you the best chance at a seat close to the turntables. Because the main draw is sound, expect a room where conversation competes with the music rather than a quiet dinner setting.
The nearest subway is West 4th Street–Washington Square, served by the A, B, C, D, E, F, and M lines, roughly a five-minute walk. The venue is a compact townhouse-style space with a basement dining room, so step-free access is worth confirming by phone before booking; guests with mobility needs should call ahead. Within a 5 to 15 minute walk you can pair the evening with Washington Square Park, the jazz clubs along Bleecker and West 3rd Street, and the late-night cafes and comedy rooms that define MacDougal Street.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hours and best time to visit Tokyo Record Bar?
The bar opens at 5:30 PM Monday through Saturday, closing at midnight Monday to Wednesday and 1 AM Thursday to Saturday; it is closed Sundays. Early evenings and weeknights are calmer, while Thursday through Saturday nights bring the fullest DJ programming.
How much does it cost and do I need a reservation?
The venue sits in the $$$$ price tier, driven largely by the seven-course omakase; the street-level cocktail bar is ordered à la carte. Reservations are strongly recommended for the omakase through the official booking link, and the listening room can be a good option for flexible plans.
How long should I plan to stay?
Budget 1.5 to 2.5 hours for the Vinyl Jukebox Omakase, since seven courses are paced around the records you choose. For drinks and snacks in the listening room, 45 to 90 minutes is typical.
Is Tokyo Record Bar accessible or suitable for families?
The omakase is in a basement and the venue is a small, music-forward space, so call +1 212-420-4777 to confirm step-free access. It is oriented toward adult dining and nightlife, making it best suited to date nights, friends, and music lovers rather than young children.
When planning your New York travel guide or browsing verified japanese restaurant in New York, pair this stop with standout local spots including Spring Street Park, Mannahatta Park, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and Washington Square Park (0.2 km away).
