Across the hospitality industry, businesses are adopting a dual-concept approach to maximize their footprint, broaden their customer base, and utilize their space for more hours in the day. Coffee shops partner with local designers to host exclusive fashion pop-ups. Breweries welcome yoga classes to their space during daytime hours. Cocktail bars share their kitchen space with rotating chef concepts. In the case of the newly-opened Monotape Club, it’s a day-to-night transformation from coffee house to highball bar — all while operating as an authentic Japanese listening lounge.
New to the Marmalade neighborhood, Monotape takes cues from jazz kissa culture popularized in Japan after World War II. “These listening rooms started popping up in the 1950s when money was tight,” says joint-owner Asher Seevinck. “They made beauty a little more accessible to everybody.” Stepping into the bar, it’s clear that music is the main focus. Instead of the standard back-bar liquor display, stacks of vinyl fill shelves and a custom turntable sits front and center. Built-in amps and domed speakers project a round sound to every seat in the house.
Japanese whisky bottles and artisan pour overs subtly demarcate Monotape’s liquid potential. “One of our partners’ whole background is in coffee, and another is the manager at Seabird,” Asher says of Monotape’s balanced expertise. “We’ve been able to do both very, very well. We’re the bar that has the best coffee program in town.” That excellent coffee program features a rotating single-origin list prepared as espresso or pour-overs, while the spirited offerings include craft Japanese beer, highballs, and takes on fernet and cola. Shaken cocktails are notably absent — a deliberate choice to preserve the listening experience “The whole point is to force people to slow down and really experience the music.” Asher says.
Blending a relaxed coffee house vibe with a niche cocktail program has expanded Monotape’s reach and appeal, Asher adds, “it allows us to activate the space the entire day.” The dual model resonates with Salt Lakers, and perhaps points to a future where bars are defined not just by what they serve, but by the experiences they create from morning through last call.
This article was published in our September/October issue, Drink Local. Click here for more nightlife trends and bartender highlights.
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