Replicating the lived-in listening-bar aesthetic isn’t easy, but Spiritland seems to have nailed it. The listening bar made a successful debut in London a few years back in partnership with local architects Fraher & Findlay. And now it’s expanded to Lisbon with the opening of Kissaten. The new location, near Praça do Marquês de Pombal, is the work of Spiritland’s in-house design team, though it channels the London space with wood panelling, track lighting and deep red furnishings.
Launched last autumn, the bar is part of the new Locke de Santa Joana hotel, itself located in a converted 17th-century convent. True to the raison d’être of listening bars everywhere, it has a bespoke sound system, arranged prominently with large, embedded three-way horn-loaded loudspeakers by Klipsch. Devotees will appreciate the four-channel, 12-input rotary mixer manufactured by Can Electric. A high-quality signal path and distinctive design featuring the Spiritland roundels creates a focal point for the bar while EMT 948 turntables, which were originally used at London’s iconic night haunt Plastic People, have found a new home here.
Behind the bar, in bespoke mesh-front cabinetry, is Portugal’s largest whisky collection, with over 100 bottles sourced from around the world by British spirit authority Dave Broom. The record collection is displayed in an alcove lined with Portuguese cork and is said to be the largest whiskey offering in the country.
Kissaten is open for tasting sessions, album playbacks, lectures and, most importantly, requests.
