33rpm in Quezon City: Inspired by the Japanese Listening Bar
Tracing its roots back to the 1920s, when Japan’s music cafés, often called ongaku kissa, first emerged as havens for jazz lovers and record collectors, Japanese listening bars allow you to enjoy music while sipping on drinks.
Often outfitted with high-end turntables, vintage speakers, and acoustically tuned interiors, these bars create an atmosphere of quiet appreciation, where conversation is hushed and the focus remains on the artistry of the music.
IMAGE from 33rpm’s Instagram account
Here in Manila, one bar draws inspiration from the tradition of Japanese listening bars, offering guests a refined escape where music takes center stage and every cocktail tells its own story. This is 33rpm, located at 131 Katipunan Avenue, White Plains, Quezon City!
IMAGE from 33rpm’s Instagram account
33rpm is quietly tucked away above Flatsix Cafe and can be accessed by taking the stairs. Its secrecy lends it a speakeasy-like atmosphere, adding an air of intrigue and exclusivity to the experience.
The beverage program reflects a seasonal café-cocktail hybrid, blending Japanese tea flavours with inventive mixology. Recent highlights include the Shiso Gimlet, made with gin, shiso, and sesame oil, and Oki Sour, featuring rum, mezcal, dashi, and pineapple. These are described as “savory, tropical, sharp” and the ideal nightcap at 33rpm.
Oki Sour (Php 500) and Shiso Gimlet (Php 500) / IMAGE from 33rpm’s Instagram account
Their menu also pays homage to Japanese café classics, reimagined with a creative flair. Signature drinks like the Matcha‑ta, a smooth blend of Japanese whiskey, shochu, cream, and matcha, and Wabi-Sabi, a bold mix of gin, peach, and wasabi, offer distinctive twists that surprise and delight the palate.
IMAGE from 33rpm’s Instagram account
You will also be delighted to know that 33rpm also offers small bites like Pork Kushiyaki (Php 320), Wagyu Sliders (Php 550), Chicken Teriyaki (Php 450), Chicken Karaage (Php 450), Grilled Pulpo (Php 710), and more!
To elevate the experience, guests can even send a song request to the bartender, whether from the bar’s curated vinyl catalog or their own music library, making every drink ordered an invitation to shape the night’s soundtrack.
Open Tuesday through Sunday from 6:00 p.m. until midnight, 33 rpm maintains an intentional intimacy, geared toward music lovers, cocktail aficionados, and those seeking a curated late-night escape.
