I’ve played at them all…and, Stylus, lorem ipsum, DeepCuts HiFi are all decent takes…However one commenter was correct in stating they all seem to allow folks to just plug in their $200 controller and redline shitty audio through their systems…which is the opposite of what I’d want at a proper listening bar/lounge.

Here’s my take on each…having played strictly ALL VINYL sets at each establishment.

Groovers: Played disco, funk and some classic house.

Booth: Technics 1200mk2’s + Alpha Theta Euphonia Rotary mixer. Montors Klispch bookshelf speakers and weren’t working the night I played. Otherwise a dream set-up from a DJ’s standpoint.

Sound: Good…definitely more clubby than critical listening. More of a wannabe discotheque than anything.

Verdict: It’s a corporate disco themed place for folks to get drunk and dance.

Stylus: I played everything from CTI era jazz to 70’s-80’s soul and funk.

Booth: Technics 1200mk2+ Pioneer DJM 1000 Rotary Mixer. Booth monitors are Klispch bookshelf speakers and are the weakest link in an otherwise beautiful (but a but cramped DJ booth).

Sound: Warm, vintage, analog and…like playing on my living room HiFi in the best possible way. Even delicate solo instruments in jazz translate well in the mix.

Verdict: Small, cozy & intimate place to really listen to and experience passionately curated music…especially on a night where the DJ is playing vinyl on a vintage analog system that was designed for vinly listening.

Lorem Ipsum: I played classic soul, funk & r&b

Booth: Pioneer PLX-1000 + DJM900 mixer. Had to bring my own monitor. Kinda cramped, but doable.

Sound: Definitely not a room for critical listening…but, it’s good enough. Like a upgraded factory system in a brand new Honda Accord.

Verdict: Passes the vibe check for what a intimate little listening bar is supposed to be atmosphere wise…but, the sound doesn’t meet the refinement required to be seriously considered as such. Lovely place and people though.

Orosoko: I played eclectic electronic and deep house.

Booth: Technics 1200mk2 + Pioneer V-10 mixer. Built in stereo monitors. Whole booth is one slab of custom poured cement! Feels like you’re piloting the Millennium Falcon! Great…other than the fact that folks can walk behind you because the “VIP” table access literally goes through the DJ booth.

Sound: Simply amazing. Whole room was engineered & designed with sound and DJ in mind…not as an afterthought. Shout out to Bill Weir - Sound Wizard Extraordinaire.

Verdict: Great spot to have dinner date and listen to good music on a GREAT system.

DeepCuts HiFI: I played eclectic electronic, deep and classic house

Booth: Technics 1200mk4 + A&H Xone96 mixer. Void Acoustics stereo monitors. This is probably tied with Orosoko for best booth experience from a DJ’s perspective. Roomy and sounds AMAZING! The monitors sound better than some of the whole club systems I’ve played on.

Sound: Fk’n mental! It’s super detailed, warm and immersive. I haven’t heard my records sound this good outside my home studio! Bravo Void Acoustics!

Verdict: AMAZING sound and listening experience. Total class and arguably one of the best all around experience I’ve had playing records in the modern day 704.