Japanese-style listening bars, where DJs spin carefully selected records for a hushed audience, are arriving in America. But truly appreciating them can take a little practice.

I quite like the concept, but I was a little embarrassed to realise that I've actually been to one of the places mentioned by name and didn't notice anything to suggest it wasn't a normal cocktail bar...

I'm going to assume that as the author says, evening really isn't the time to get the full impact; as I remember, the music was definitely secondary to the general buzz of conversation, although either way I'm not sure I would've thought to really listen without knowing the context of the place in advance. I'll have to see if it's open for breakfast and give it another try.