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The best coffee in california! Hidden cafe but amazing!!! Must try it. All drinks are all good Service is good Vibes are good Everything is good
What makes Tokyo my favorite city in the world is its relentless commitment to craft, artistry, and passion. This is reflected in the food scene, the bars, the cafes--which is why I find new pieces of the city to fall in love with each time I visit. LONGPLAY HI-FI, inspired by the hi-fi stereo listening bars of Japan, brings that same philosophy to San Diego. The Vibe: I immediately connected with their motto: "EL DISCO ES CULTURA" (The record is culture). Even their house rules set the tone--focusing on conversation and presence rather than screens. It's a refreshing departure from typical café culture that feels both intentional and necessary. The Concept: This unique space combines café, bar, and shop, all dedicated to audiophile culture, design, and hospitality. You come for the expertly curated DJ sets and stay for an immersive experience of sounds and flavors you might never discover on your own. From the ambience to the impeccable Japanese-inspired drinks and music selection, every detail reveals this as a true labor of love--a space where the owners invite you to slow down, explore, and discover. My partner and I spent an entire hour working on a puzzle, completely absorbed in the world LONGPLAY HI-FI so meticulously creates for its guests. Perfect For: Anyone seeking a sophisticated bar alternative--great drinks and music with friends, with or without alcohol. Food: Light menu featuring sweet and savory options, plus rotating specials from guest chefs. Practical Details: - Street parking available; conveniently located near the Orange line - Intimate space seating ~20 people (4 tables plus bar seating) I can't wait to return on my next SD visit and be transported back to this little piece of Tokyo.
What a cozy and welcoming space. I loved an atmosphere where you feel calm and invited. From the decor, music, and attention to detail, you can tell everything was curated with great intention. Stopped by for a quick drink and was surprised by the craft. The drinks came out beautifully and the use of Kuramoto ice cubes adds such a lovely touch. Would definitely come here again.
What a delightfully strange, cool place. The setting is intimate, the hours are odd, and the music is vibey. Tucked in a neighborhood that's a bit rough around the edges, Longplay Hifi takes heavy inspo from Japanese listening bars: venues centered on relaxing, easy listening, and enjoying hifi stereo systems in a third place. Even with GPS, the place is easy to miss. We found ourselves spinning the block twice over. The front door had the smallest little sign. You wait outside until the host/hostess invites you in, then you're greeted with a wall of vinyl records, trinkets, stereo systems, and coffee/tea knickknacks. There's no bass thumping, no obnoxiously loud groups. It's a place to sip a single-origin and read your Fitzcarraldo editions. There a blend of Mexican and Japanese-inspired snacks and a decently large menu of coffees, teas, sodas, and mocktails. After a day of running around downtown, it was a perfect venue for our small group to unwind, sit back, relax, and reflect. The drinks were a unique spin on traditional cocktails and a few traditional teas. I'd recommend the hojicha if you like slight smokey notes. Oddly enough, the drinks and food aren't the focal point of this bar. But without a cover charge, it's their main source of revenue. You come here for a relaxing DJ set. You come here for a curated experience and to discover some sounds you might not have explored on your own.
Came here with my friend, I was excited to visit one of the original AMBIANCE: Parking: Street parking moreover but what's cool is that it's near the Orange line. Seating: Cozy indoor seating for maybe 20 people total. 4 tables and the rest being bar seating. Vibes: Welcome to Sherman Heights! You're not too far away from Downtown San Diego and Barrio Logan. The spot itself is a grit and grind area but still a lovely place for some local gems. The spot itself is pretty nice. A small spot that' relatively lit through the windows. Of course, you'll see a lot of records and some pop art. Great place to chill and relax. FOOD: Jazzcat (Recommend) It had me at cocoa. If you're looking for that along with something that will keep you up (cold brew). A little bitter, a little sweet, and a nice hint of citrus to contribute to the refreshingness. CUSTOMER SERVICE: J was great! He was friendly and attentive TL; DR OVERALL: Awesome! Good choices, fair prices, and a pleasant experience. They seemed to yield a nice friendly audience too so nothing too wild. If you're looking for a place for some good tunes, drinks, and convos, this is your spot. Pro Tip: *Follow them on social media for their schedule on live dj sets!
Another lovely visit - always top vibes and ambience plus also lovely friendly hospitality. Wish they had more savory vegetarian food options.
I've been to Longplay HiFi twice now, and it's a great place to live slow and enjoy the space. I love the atmosphere so much, I'll definitely be a returning customer! I arrived around noon on a Saturday and was nervous that there would be a wait, but there was space for my group of 2 to sit at either the bar or a table. I'm so glad to find a space where I don't have to worry about lines on the weekend. And we were able to get street parking right across from the place. Another blessing that this part of town is not so crowded that it's impossible to find street parking! When you arrive, it's not obvious where the store is, but you'll find it if you look for their logo LP. There's a sign on the door asking you to not open the door and wait for someone to come out and get you. I was confused whether we should ring the doorbell or not, but after waiting for a moment, someone came up to let us know they would seat us shortly. I came with my partner, but I saw other patrons came by themselves. So if you're looking for a cool cafe to read a book, you can definitely come here by yourself. Note that they do have a policy about no laptops in the cafe. The food and drinks are good. This place is definitely more like a bar alternative if you're looking to get drinks with friends but don't want to drink alcohol. They have one of the biggest non-alcoholic menus I've ever seen, so I'd love to try more of on my next visit. The food menu is limited and more like snacks, so again emphasis on the bar-like vibes.
I came it Longplay HiFi with my friend yesterday. It was the first time for both of us. When you walk up to the shop door, you'll see a sign to wait until someone comes out to get you. It took about 1 minute before we were invited in. The cafe/bar has a minimalist design, inspired by shops in Tokyo, and has a lot of cool little trinkets, items, and vinyls. The menu is really nice, with a high-quality, thoughtful selection of coffee, tea, and alcoholic beverages. My vanilla cold brew was really yummy, and had a perfect balance of dairy to coffee. My friend's matcha drink was really creamy and top-notch! I also really loved the orange liqueur drink I ordered. I can't remember exactly what was in it, but the flavor was subtle and fruity, with the right amount of alcoholic kick. One of the coolest parts of this experience was the amazing Japanese-imported ice they use! That was the cherry on top. Plus, my two drinks were only $21, which is a steal for San Diego. I highly recommend checking out Longplay Hifi! Update: Came back again and had an even better time. Some of the tea drinks are absolutely incredible. Still a great.
i like this spot for the vibes. intentional space and service. i enjoyed the highball and the iced latte. texture on the latte was actually really nice.
I've always been drawn to Japanese listening bars and enjoyed Convoy Music Bar a lot for their cocktails and listening experience. Was happy to come across Longplay while browsing Yelp and decided to stop by as I was in the area today. The outside has no signage so it's almost like a speakeasy. The front door was locked but someone opened it a few seconds later to let us in. The inside is tastefully decorated and there was some nice modern jazz music playing. The ordering process is all online via QR code and for our drinks we ordered the Gina which is house cold brew coffee + oat milk + vanilla bean + foam + kuramoto ice and the Hokkaido which is 6-hour cold brewed paru hojicha tea + oat milk + vanilla bean + orange + kuramoto ice. Our beverages arrived approximately twenty minutes after ordering, and the wait proved well worthwhile. Both drinks were served in elegant, thin-walled glassware that significantly enhanced the overall drinking experience. My coffee was exceptionally smooth, richly flavored, and truly outstanding. My friend's hojicha was equally impressive--perfectly balanced and elevated by the thoughtful addition of an orange peel garnish, which provided an additional layer of aroma and visual appeal. I shall definitely be back to try the cocktails next.
The location felt a little off. It's parked on the side of the street where there were a few homeless encampments, and we actually walked past it at first because the place was completely blacked out with no sign anywhere saying Longplay Hifi. Once we walked in, the guy seated us but didn't say a word, so I ended up pulling the menu up on my phone. Eventually he brought over a tablet with a QR code to order through, which was fine. I got the Midori latte and it was actually really good. They use Paru matcha, so the quality's definitely there. It just took about 15 to 20 minutes to come out, which felt a little long for a drink. After we finished, we got up to leave and the guy chased us down saying we didn't pay. I had assumed the payment went through when we ordered via QR, but I guess that just places the order. You still have to go up to the counter to pay, which felt a bit confusing considering how digital the whole process already is. Inside, it smells strongly of incense, and while I usually love a retro or mid-century vibe, this one didn't quite hit the mark for me. The concept is cool in theory, but the execution felt a little unfinished.
Love a good listening bar. I found this place via Instagram and came here in the afternoon to enjoy a couple of drinks, and they did not disappoint! The drinks were great (nothing mindblowing), but I love the attention to detail they put into every drink they make. There was a DJ playing some vinyls when we went too, and that's always a vibe.
Walking up to the location, there is very little to no signage once you get here. There's a sign out front that says to wait outside and someone will come get you (the windows are all blacked-out and you can't see inside but they can see you). For our party of 4, we had to wait about 10-15 minutes just to be let in (nobody left in that time). And then upon entering we see that there was already an open table plus bar seating so I'm not sure why it took so long just to get in. Inside is pretty small lending itself to a more intimate spot with some interesting memorabilia behind the bar area. Ambiance-wise it's okay. Ordering and getting our drinks total probably took another 20-30 minutes. I got the Midori which is a matcha-based drink with oat milk, vanilla bean and foam. I felt the drink was fairly light on the matcha flavored and the other elements I couldn't really taste. And combined with this being $9, this was definitely not worth it. We also got the Hokkaido which is also the same price and we had similar feedback on the flavor. This place some things (at best) okay, while in other areas it falls short.
We've been wanting to check out Long Play Hi-Fi for a while, and after finally finding it (which is part of the experience ).. It's got this hidden, almost speakeasy vibe. You ring the doorbell, wait patiently, and once you're inside, you realize this isn't your typical coffee shop. It's a place to slow down, enjoy the music, and savor your drink. Monique and Danica were both amazing. They're warm, welcoming, and you can really see the passion behind what they do. Danica is also the DJ, and her eclectic playlist made the whole experience even better. One of my favorite parts was just sitting there watching our drinks being made. You can see the care and craft that goes into every cup...even the Kuramoto ice is beautiful. The Matcha Americano completely changed my perception of matcha. The Kyoto cold brew pour-over was fascinating to watch and incredibly smooth. We loved it so much that we came back the very next day. This time I had the Midori, and my brother-in-law loved the Highball, especially the yuzu. No laptops. Trust the DJ. Drinks are meant to be enjoyed fresh, so take your time. If you're looking for a quick coffee run, this isn't it. But if you appreciate great coffee, good music, and people who are passionate about their craft, Long Play Hi-Fi is absolutely worth the visit. read more
Came on a Sunday afternoon with no wait, just stood outside without ringing the doorbell and someone let us in after less than 5 min. (Dw, from the inside, you can see outside well) Drinks were really good and carefully made, song selections were unique! We ended up chatting with one of the customers there too. Chill atmosphere 10/10 recommend. There's also free wifi here, signal isn't very good. :) Parked in free street parking about a min walk away. read more
Street parking only, very scarce. No obvious signage, look for writing in the window. They have a ring type camera door system. Wait outside on the sidewalk (no exterior seating) and someone will come to take you inside. Do not ring the door bell. The theme is to take it slow. Each customer typically waits 20-30 minutes to enter as part of how they do things, even if there is open seating inside. Not sure if they use a timer to space entries but it seems consistent. They take one group in at a time. Interior: A few tables around the wall and then bar seating. Would not recommend for parties greater than 2, there just isn't the space. They welcome service animals, babies/children and strollers from what I observed. The music was very, very loud. It was difficult to hold a conversation. I did not see a bathroom. Ordering process: After seating you wait for a little bit for them to bring small water cups and a QR menu with a table number and a set of rules. They do not have a physical menu, you must use your phone to order. Cell phone reception was dicey and took a long time to load. They have an interesting concept where you have a digital 'tab' open on their toast website. Unfortunately you must provide your full name, email and phone number. They have pour over drinks (note these can take 15-20 minutes), matcha, Hojicha and others. You may only order one drink per person at a time. They have a small snack menu with rotating foods. They use oat milk only. No substitutions allowed. After mobile ordering, drinks take 20-30 minutes as part of their take it slow vibe. Matcha $8 is from Paru tea and was very good. Hojicha $8 was too milky and didn't have a strong enough flavor. When you are done you walk to the register by the door and wait to be checked out. If they are making a drink you wait until they are finished. I wasn't really a fan. Staff were brusque. Music was too loud to converse. read more
What makes Tokyo my favorite city in the world is its relentless commitment to craft, artistry, and passion. This is reflected in the food scene, the bars, the cafes--which is why I find new pieces of the city to fall in love with each time I visit. LONGPLAY HI-FI, inspired by the hi-fi stereo listening bars of Japan, brings that same philosophy to San Diego. The Vibe: I immediately connected with their motto: "EL DISCO ES CULTURA" (The record is culture). Even their house rules set the tone--focusing on conversation and presence rather than screens. It's a refreshing departure from typical café culture that feels both intentional and necessary. The Concept: This unique space combines café, bar, and shop, all dedicated to audiophile culture, design, and hospitality. You come for the expertly curated DJ sets and stay for an immersive experience of sounds and flavors you might never discover on your own. From the ambience to the impeccable Japanese-inspired drinks and music selection, every detail reveals this as a true labor of love--a space where the owners invite you to slow down, explore, and discover. My partner and I spent an entire hour working on a puzzle, completely absorbed in the world LONGPLAY HI-FI so meticulously creates for its guests. Perfect For: Anyone seeking a sophisticated bar alternative--great drinks and music with friends, with or without alcohol. Food: Light menu featuring sweet and savory options, plus rotating specials from guest chefs. Practical Details: - Street parking available; conveniently located near the Orange line - Intimate space seating ~20 people (4 tables plus bar seating) I can't wait to return on my next SD visit and be transported back to this little piece of Tokyo. read more
What a cozy and welcoming space. I loved an atmosphere where you feel calm and invited. From the decor, music, and attention to detail, you can tell everything was curated with great intention. Stopped by for a quick drink and was surprised by the craft. The drinks came out beautifully and the use of Kuramoto ice cubes adds such a lovely touch. Would definitely come here again. read more
What a delightfully strange, cool place. The setting is intimate, the hours are odd, and the music is vibey. Tucked in a neighborhood that's a bit rough around the edges, Longplay Hifi takes heavy inspo from Japanese listening bars: venues centered on relaxing, easy listening, and enjoying hifi stereo systems in a third place. Even with GPS, the place is easy to miss. We found ourselves spinning the block twice over. The front door had the smallest little sign. You wait outside until the host/hostess invites you in, then you're greeted with a wall of vinyl records, trinkets, stereo systems, and coffee/tea knickknacks. There's no bass thumping, no obnoxiously loud groups. It's a place to sip a single-origin and read your Fitzcarraldo editions. There a blend of Mexican and Japanese-inspired snacks and a decently large menu of coffees, teas, sodas, and mocktails. After a day of running around downtown, it was a perfect venue for our small group to unwind, sit back, relax, and reflect. The drinks were a unique spin on traditional cocktails and a few traditional teas. I'd recommend the hojicha if you like slight smokey notes. Oddly enough, the drinks and food aren't the focal point of this bar. But without a cover charge, it's their main source of revenue. You come here for a relaxing DJ set. You come here for a curated experience and to discover some sounds you might not have explored on your own. read more
Came here with my friend, I was excited to visit one of the original AMBIANCE: Parking: Street parking moreover but what's cool is that it's near the Orange line. Seating: Cozy indoor seating for maybe 20 people total. 4 tables and the rest being bar seating. Vibes: Welcome to Sherman Heights! You're not too far away from Downtown San Diego and Barrio Logan. The spot itself is a grit and grind area but still a lovely place for some local gems. The spot itself is pretty nice. A small spot that' relatively lit through the windows. Of course, you'll see a lot of records and some pop art. Great place to chill and relax. FOOD: Jazzcat (Recommend) It had me at cocoa. If you're looking for that along with something that will keep you up (cold brew). A little bitter, a little sweet, and a nice hint of citrus to contribute to the refreshingness. CUSTOMER SERVICE: J was great! He was friendly and attentive TL; DR OVERALL: Awesome! Good choices, fair prices, and a pleasant experience. They seemed to yield a nice friendly audience too so nothing too wild. If you're looking for a place for some good tunes, drinks, and convos, this is your spot. Pro Tip: *Follow them on social media for their schedule on live dj sets! read more
I've been to Longplay HiFi twice now, and it's a great place to live slow and enjoy the space. I love the atmosphere so much, I'll definitely be a returning customer! I arrived around noon on a Saturday and was nervous that there would be a wait, but there was space for my group of 2 to sit at either the bar or a table. I'm so glad to find a space where I don't have to worry about lines on the weekend. And we were able to get street parking right across from the place. Another blessing that this part of town is not so crowded that it's impossible to find street parking! When you arrive, it's not obvious where the store is, but you'll find it if you look for their logo LP. There's a sign on the door asking you to not open the door and wait for someone to come out and get you. I was confused whether we should ring the doorbell or not, but after waiting for a moment, someone came up to let us know they would seat us shortly. I came with my partner, but I saw other patrons came by themselves. So if you're looking for a cool cafe to read a book, you can definitely come here by yourself. Note that they do have a policy about no laptops in the cafe. The food and drinks are good. This place is definitely more like a bar alternative if you're looking to get drinks with friends but don't want to drink alcohol. They have one of the biggest non-alcoholic menus I've ever seen, so I'd love to try more of on my next visit. The food menu is limited and more like snacks, so again emphasis on the bar-like vibes. read more
8 months ago
1 year ago
I came it Longplay HiFi with my friend yesterday. It was the first time for both of us. When you walk up to the shop door, you'll see a sign to wait until someone comes out to get you. It took about 1 minute before we were invited in. The cafe/bar has a minimalist design, inspired by shops in Tokyo, and has a lot of cool little trinkets, items, and vinyls. The menu is really nice, with a high-quality, thoughtful selection of coffee, tea, and alcoholic beverages. My vanilla cold brew was really yummy, and had a perfect balance of dairy to coffee. My friend's matcha drink was really creamy and top-notch! I also really loved the orange liqueur drink I ordered. I can't remember exactly what was in it, but the flavor was subtle and fruity, with the right amount of alcoholic kick. One of the coolest parts of this experience was the amazing Japanese-imported ice they use! That was the cherry on top. Plus, my two drinks were only $21, which is a steal for San Diego. I highly recommend checking out Longplay Hifi! Update: Came back again and had an even better time. Some of the tea drinks are absolutely incredible. Still a great. read more
9 months ago
I've always been drawn to Japanese listening bars and enjoyed Convoy Music Bar a lot for their cocktails and listening experience. Was happy to come across Longplay while browsing Yelp and decided to stop by as I was in the area today. The outside has no signage so it's almost like a speakeasy. The front door was locked but someone opened it a few seconds later to let us in. The inside is tastefully decorated and there was some nice modern jazz music playing. The ordering process is all online via QR code and for our drinks we ordered the Gina which is house cold brew coffee + oat milk + vanilla bean + foam + kuramoto ice and the Hokkaido which is 6-hour cold brewed paru hojicha tea + oat milk + vanilla bean + orange + kuramoto ice. Our beverages arrived approximately twenty minutes after ordering, and the wait proved well worthwhile. Both drinks were served in elegant, thin-walled glassware that significantly enhanced the overall drinking experience. My coffee was exceptionally smooth, richly flavored, and truly outstanding. My friend's hojicha was equally impressive--perfectly balanced and elevated by the thoughtful addition of an orange peel garnish, which provided an additional layer of aroma and visual appeal. I shall definitely be back to try the cocktails next. read more
The location felt a little off. It's parked on the side of the street where there were a few homeless encampments, and we actually walked past it at first because the place was completely blacked out with no sign anywhere saying Longplay Hifi. Once we walked in, the guy seated us but didn't say a word, so I ended up pulling the menu up on my phone. Eventually he brought over a tablet with a QR code to order through, which was fine. I got the Midori latte and it was actually really good. They use Paru matcha, so the quality's definitely there. It just took about 15 to 20 minutes to come out, which felt a little long for a drink. After we finished, we got up to leave and the guy chased us down saying we didn't pay. I had assumed the payment went through when we ordered via QR, but I guess that just places the order. You still have to go up to the counter to pay, which felt a bit confusing considering how digital the whole process already is. Inside, it smells strongly of incense, and while I usually love a retro or mid-century vibe, this one didn't quite hit the mark for me. The concept is cool in theory, but the execution felt a little unfinished. read more
6 months ago
Love a good listening bar. I found this place via Instagram and came here in the afternoon to enjoy a couple of drinks, and they did not disappoint! The drinks were great (nothing mindblowing), but I love the attention to detail they put into every drink they make. There was a DJ playing some vinyls when we went too, and that's always a vibe. read more
1 year ago
Walking up to the location, there is very little to no signage once you get here. There's a sign out front that says to wait outside and someone will come get you (the windows are all blacked-out and you can't see inside but they can see you). For our party of 4, we had to wait about 10-15 minutes just to be let in (nobody left in that time). And then upon entering we see that there was already an open table plus bar seating so I'm not sure why it took so long just to get in. Inside is pretty small lending itself to a more intimate spot with some interesting memorabilia behind the bar area. Ambiance-wise it's okay. Ordering and getting our drinks total probably took another 20-30 minutes. I got the Midori which is a matcha-based drink with oat milk, vanilla bean and foam. I felt the drink was fairly light on the matcha flavored and the other elements I couldn't really taste. And combined with this being $9, this was definitely not worth it. We also got the Hokkaido which is also the same price and we had similar feedback on the flavor. This place some things (at best) okay, while in other areas it falls short. read more
1 year ago
Came to LONGPLAY HiFi a few weeks ago as I saw this place on social media. The spot is a bit tricky to locate, but once you're inside, it's definitely a vibe. We ordered the PB&J toast and two drinks (City Pop and Harajuku) both drinks were super refreshing and clearly crafted with care. Where things fell short was the service. We waited about 15-20 minutes to be let in, even though we could see two empty tables and a few available bar seats (which were already cleaned). Once seated, it took another 15-20 minutes before anyone came by to give us a menu or QR code. As for the music, it was honestly a bit of a mismatch with the overall vibe of the space. I expected something more aligned with the cafe/bar's aesthetic, but the selection that day felt off. Overall, LONGPLAY HiFi has a lot of potential, but my visit was underwhelming. Would I go again? Probably not read more
What a unique cafe-meets-jazz experience this was! I enjoyed the ambience of this cafe, the abundance of natural lighting, the decor, impeccable attention to detail. and the incredibly delicious menu items. Staff was incredible friendly and helpful with answering my questions bout the menu items. I will admit that jazz isn't quite my cup of tea and I just couldn't get into the music that was being played during my visit. It was a bit too strange and random for my liking and I found it difficult to stay focused on my writing. Oh well, that's alright! Perhaps next time I visit, I'll jive a little better with the mix. The magic for me was in the beautifully handcrafted latte and yummy vanilla concha I ordered! I would visit again for the delectable flavors and the unique experience! read more
It was pretty tough to find especially because there was no storefront sign. But if your GPS says you are there, look for an unmarked door & you found it. I did not have a reservation & someone came out to tell me that it was going to be a long wait to get my drink, & I said that was fine, & then he emphasized it will take awhile, as if he did not want me to come in. Yup, thank you, I knew that before coming in after reading reviews. I came all the way from Escondido so of course I was willing to wait. My girlfriend told me about this place for an authentic matcha experience. The cafe is cozy with a bar seating & a few tables. They serve specialty coffees & teas, cocktails & non-alcoholic cocktails & a few small dishes. Great music playing. They make your drinks with care & it was nice watching them make them. My matcha was tasty & reminded me of those from Japan. If you are looking for sweet matcha, this is not the spot. read more
Longplay HiFi is a really aesthetic and intimate spot that serves specialty coffees, teas, and cocktails. It feels like a speakeasy experience as it tucked away in the corner next to a nail shop. Make sure to wait outside until the host seats you as the inside is small intimate, so it may be a wait if you're with a larger group. The inside is so aesthetic with retro artwork, vinyls, and plants with a light bamboo aesthetic. I really liked the slow and calm ambience with the attention the details with the decor and to the drinks as well. We had great service and enjoyed all our drinks. I want to come back to try their other drinks on the menu as well. You can tell that they only use high quality ingredients and care about the customer experience as well. This place can be hard to find so look for it by a nail salon since the sign is small. read more
11 months ago
Got the Harajuku and was genuinely surprised by how refreshing it was -- a unique and well-balanced mix of grapefruit and matcha that just works. The vibe of the place feels like you've stepped into a hidden alleyway bar in Japan -- super cool and intimate. What really stood out was the attention to detail: from the presentation to the quality of the ice (barely melted the whole time and actually enhanced the experience). A must-visit if you're into drinks that are both thoughtful and beautifully executed. read more
Longplay HiFi in San Diego is a vinyl listening bar and café offering a curated audiophile experience with high-fidelity sound , a collection of vintage and modern records, specialty coffee/tea , low/non ABV beverages , and a cozy, minimalist atmosphere that fosters a niche music-loving community. It is truly one of my favorite hidden gems of SD that I can't wait to return to! Food: Ume nori-ten ($6) - A perfect pairing with a low/non ABV beverages! Love the plum-infused seasoning Drink: City Pop ($14) - This is a low ABV drink, so it doesn't have a strong taste of alcohol. It tasted bright and citrusy from the choya yuzu liqueur. Super refreshing! Palomita ($12) - 8/10 This is a non ABV drink, but it tasted more alcoholic than City Pop. It was wild how the ritual tequila alternative mimicked the taste of real tequila! Vibe: The vibe at Longplay HiFi is minimalist, and deeply immersive, drawing inspiration from Japan's high-fidelity listening bars. Sipping drinks, sharing good conversation, and letting the music wash over us made for an incredibly cozy and intimate experience. read more
Longplay HiFi is always a whole vibe. The moment you step in, it feels like a little escape. The ambiance is cozy, intimate, and the vinyl music playing in the background just ties it all together perfectly. The drinks? So good. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. I usually go for either the Ginza or Midori. Both are my absolute faves. But if you're looking for something light and refreshing, try the Harajuku. Whether you're into matcha or coffee, they've got you covered. It's the kind of spot that makes you want to slow down and be present. Can't recommend it enough! read more
This listening cafe has a concept unique to the cafe scene in San Diego. Do not come here if you are in a rush so that you can get the full experience! They offer a few small bites, as well as an array of caffeinated drinks, cocktails, and mocktails. They have a few rules to be mindful of, which are outlined on a sheet they hand off when you are first seated. I got the hokkaido, which was a hojicha tea based drink. They source some of their ingredients from local vendors!! I believe the matcha they use is from Paru, which has a matcha mill in house. Both drinks were delicious! The hokkaido had all the elements of the hojicha, vanilla, and orange zest working in perfect harmony. The midori had a light and fragrant taste that their vanilla syrup added great depth to. It was the perfect environment to take in such wonderful flavors, unwind, and listen to some great vinyls. A true hidden gem. read more
7 months ago
An experience. I love this coffee shop and the unique take it brings to modern coffee culture. Be prepared to take it slow. Starting with the wait, you'll need to stand outside anywhere from 10-30 minutes. The coffee shop experience is not rushed so they'll only let customers into the place bit by bit. Pros and cons of taking it slow--come if you have time. I wish there was a bench outdoors for people waiting though. For people sensitive to scents, note that the coffee shop usually has some sort of incense or strong almost herbal smell throughout. Still, I definitely recommend checking them out. Coffee was fantastic, and the artistry that goes into it is equally impressive. Unlike most coffee places nowadays!! read more
1 year ago
I highly recommend checking this place out and I'll be back next time I'm in San Diego for sure. I got their matcha and my friend tried the cold brew but I would definitely be interested in coming back for cocktails. I enjoyed the music and vibes hanging out in here. Service was fast and friendly as well. read more
8 months ago
This was such an interesting experience, I've never had coffee in this type of setting before. We didn't know anything about this place and we were standing around in the front confused about how to get in . Luckily the staff came and let us in! We arrived right at opening on a Sunday and got sat immediately but there was a lot of people that came after us. Super awesome vibe, definitely worth checking out if you're in town! read more
Love trying different coffee shops and I'm really glad I found this gem here in San Diego. A small, hole in the wall coffee shop with a Japanese feel. Very small and intimate but had such a vibe. The barista played some vinyl music while making coffee for the customers that came in. I asked for coffee that was slightly sweet and creamy which the Ginza was exactly all of that. It was poured onto some large ice cubes imported from Japan and with every sip, it tasted different (but in a good way). He was super friendly and made conversations with everyone that came in. Definitely would like to stop in again to try another drink off the menu but can also see myself sitting there and lounging for the day. read more
1 year ago
If you want a high end coffee experience, this place is for you ! It's not too far from downtown. Parking might be difficult read more
7 months ago
1 year ago
10/10 for their music selection, ambiance, drinks, food, and service. The city needs more places like this. I love that they incorporate culture and community to give it a true home-feel. Shout out to G! p.s. their coffee/matcha and curated food menus are always so spot on and worth a try! read more
1 year ago
Had my eye on this place for a little while now and was hoping I could squeeze in a visit on my super short SD trip. So glad I got to go!! It was everything I could've wanted and more for my first vinyl listening bar experience. The drinks both alcoholic and nonalcoholic were exceptional. My favorite was the Carajillo but Dorothy's Harp was a close second. Ometesando was a great option if you really want to just taste a solid tea. Didn't get to try the food but I did see a jammy toast that looked super good. The guys working were all super nice and knowledgeable and overall had a great time with my group of 6. Highly recommend!!! read more
1 year ago
I'm an audiophile so discovering LONGPLAY HiFi was definitely what I needed. I tried out their matcha (with water) and it was fair. I wasn't expecting anything synonymous to classic Rika Fikka, but it was okay. The avocado toast is something that I would go back for. It was simple but soooo good! The place is small and quaint and they don't allow laptops, perfect for readers and conversationalists. It's intimate, too, so if you have someone with you or a group, would be a great place to talk and unwind. Would definitely go back! read more
2 years ago
Super lowkey vinyl cafe. Cute vibes, but parking is a tad difficult, and I would only come with 2-3 people since it's a bit loud and hard to talk in a group of 4 if you're seated at the bar. We got the omesando, Kyoto, Hokkaido, and I forget the last one, but the Hokkaido was my favorite! read more
6 months ago
10 months ago
Low key, love the ambiance and Sunday jazz tunes. Can't go wrong with the Avo toast and their drinks are meticulously crafted and delicious. read more
2 years ago
Really cute low key coffee bar for a date night spot. This is not a grab and go coffee type place! There is no parking lot but street parking is available. We came on a Saturday morning and waited about 20 minutes to get inside and get seated. There were just a few people sitting inside at that point. It's very chill and laid back here so I wouldn't choose this place for a quick coffee pick up. The coffee and food took a while to get. we loved the overall interior decor, the music was good too and the overall vibe was so unique. The decor and ambiance were a 5/5. The avocado toast was delightful and bread was nice and soft. We really enjoyed the ginza coffee. Was not as much of a fan of the Hokkaido latte which tasted like a diluted Hokkaido milk tea. Although service was slow, they were really nice and refilled our waters. read more
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2547 Imperial Ave
San Diego, CA 92102
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http://longplay.studio
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2 years ago
3 years ago
LONGPLAY HiFi - themedcafes - Updated September 2026
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