Selecta, a new Tokyo-style vinyl listening bar, has officially opened in Melbourne’s Hawthorn district, offering a refined experience for cocktail and music lovers alike. With just ten seats at the bar and a cozy listening lounge for 20-25 people, it’s a place where sound, service, and ambiance come together in perfect harmony.
Inspired by the underground listening bars of Tokyo, Selecta brings a slice of Japanese hospitality to Melbourne’s vibrant nightlife scene. The bar’s drinks program is as distinctive as its concept.
Standout cocktails to look out for include, the Masa’s Coffee and Cigarettes, a nostalgic creation that blends Suntory Toki Whisky with Yomeishu herbal sake and mandarin vermouth. Then there’s Joey’s Fukkatsu Gibson, a reinvention of the classic Gibson, featuring Suntory Roku gin, matcha butter-washed vermouth, and topped with a cherry blossom-pickled onion and yomogi yuzu oil.
For the first three weeks of July, the bar is also showcasing Suntory Cup finalist cocktails, giving patrons the chance to try inventive drinks that shine a spotlight on premium Japanese spirits.
Selecta blends Tokyo’s intimate listening culture with Melbourne’s relaxed charm, thanks to its hospitality-driven founders. Creative director Michael, behind venues like Pinchy’s and Pearl, was inspired by Tokyo’s bars post-pandemic – leading him to import Selecta’s vintage sound system for a rich, immersive atmosphere.
Kelvin (Elysian Whisky Bar) curates an approachable yet refined whisky and sake list. Joey, bar director, mixes Japanese ingredients with modern flair – her “Fukkatsu Gibson” is a bold twist on a classic. Kyoto-born Masa adds depth with rare, traditional sakes, while Adam (ex-Golden Monkey) brings two decades of operational experience and a love for vinyl.
Every detail at Selecta, from the cocktails to the music, celebrates craftsmanship and nostalgia, offering a true sensory experience in the heart of Hawthorn.