Bar Shiru

Oakland, CA

Could a double-height, industrial space with exposed concrete beams and steel decking be transformed into a serene jazz-focused lounge? Situated just steps from the bustling Fox Theater and noisy neighboring bars, Bar Shiru was envisioned as a sonic and atmospheric refuge. The first Bay Area analog-only vinyl record bar, it would encourage quiet, meaningful interaction and deep listening over Japanese whiskey and craft cocktails, with a cap on group size to maintain an intimate vibe.

The owners of Bar Shiru, the first Bay Area hi-fi listening bar, explored several potential sites before selecting a raw, 1500-square-foot concrete space in Oakland’s historic 1928 Latham Square Building. Located in the Uptown district, the site stood out for its unique layout—a mix of small, intimate zones that flowed into a larger communal area. This spatial arrangement offered a rare blend of inclusivity and openness, setting the stage for a distinctive social experience.

With high-end audio equipment sourced by the owners, the design responded by making sound quality and control central to the architecture. Glass tube amps and vintage-style wood speakers became visual focal points. The ceilings are treated with 2” thick acoustic panels, while sound-absorbing jazz-great photo panels line the bar area. Decorative wood screens and a 15-foot-high “record wall” not only define the space visually, but also break up and diffuse sound waves, creating a warm, immersive acoustic environment.

“Inspired by some of Tokyo’s incredible hi-fi bars and motivated by the lack of a comparable offering in the Bay Area, we set out to open Bar Shiru, the Bay Area’s first hi-fi vinyl listening bar focused on jazz as the musical jumping off point. Bar Shiru features records played in their entirety on an analog, vinyl-centric sound system in a space built with acoustics as a top priority. We sincerely believe in the connective power of music and hope to use it as a force for good.”

– Owners Daniel Gahr and Shirin Gaza