Does physical media really sound better? Or do people just listen to vinyl for the experience? There’s something nostalgic about it, despite being born during the CD era, when vinyl records were considered obsolete. Maybe I’m an old soul, or maybe I’m just plain tired of the same old house music at every nightclub on Hollywood Boulevard. I’ve done the crawl. From the Arts District to the Sunset strip. I’ve kissed the DJ, spent the whole night waiting for that one song he’s never going to cue and at this point, run out of dance moves. But what if I told you there’s a better way to hear music on a Saturday night? One with a fresh soundtrack, where physical media and live music reigns supreme. Enter: Listening bars– the concept that started in Tokyo but is quickly inspiring bars across the LA nightlife scene. Give your voice a rest from shouting over the music at the club. These bars, typically with a curated selection of vinyl or live music, allow for quiet conversation and focus on the listening experience. Intrigued? Here’s where to find the best listening bar-inspired nights in LA.