Listening bars have appeared across the UAE in recent years, from vinyl-led lounges to hotel bars, with some borrowing cues from the Japanese originators without committing to the discipline behind the concept.
The look is easy to imitate: dim lighting, a visible turntable and a warm, familiar playlist. But true execution takes longer. Its value comes from repetition, not novelty. Like an album, it builds character track by track, night after night, until regulars shape the room as much as the music.
That is where some local attempts fall short. They offer the visuals and the mood but not the philosophy: sound treated as the pillar, programming built with intention, and an identity formed by the people who return, not just those passing through.
Saikindo, the new listening bar at Four Seasons Abu Dhabi, seems to be aware of that gap. The early impression suggests a venue trying to balance the aesthetic appeal of the format with the substance needed for it to last.
Where to sit and what to expect
Accessible from the lobby, the moment Saikindo's door opens, the hotel's white noise fades away. A staff member guides us through a dim, wood-lined passage that feels deliberately theatrical. The welcome is warm without being formal. It feels like we are being let in on something, each section a small revelation before entering the main space.
The passage includes a small display alcove tied to Saikindo’s Bosozoku influence. The Japanese 1980s subculture is known for customised motorcycles, stitched insignia and embroidered jackets, and the bar acknowledges it through a set of jackets, fabric badges and patches arranged like display pieces.
The rooms open one by one. The venue accommodates about 100 guests, and the first lounge is the largest, furnished with low armchairs, compact tables and dark timber that picks up the warm light. Upholstery stays within muted tones, with textured wall panels that soften the sound and make the room feel enclosed. Seating is spaced closely enough to build atmosphere while ensuring privacy.
Another adjoining lounge is lined with large, Japanese-style folding windows, offering a view of Al Maryah Island. The design opens up the room visually, and in the cooler months that breeze will probably make it one of the more sought-after corners.
The robata room is adjacent to the main bar. It's an intimate dining space with counter seats facing the grill and smaller tables at the back. It fits about 18 diners with three dinner sittings a night. A private room, available on booking, comes with its own booth and soundproofing.
The sound and the space
The first thing we notice is the warmth of the sound. The mix is clear without feeling loud, and it travels evenly across every room we walk through. Part of that comes from the way the speakers are built into the interiors.
Many sit at mid-height along the wooden panels as shallow metallic looking domes are arranged in vertical grids. Because they are set into the walls rather than pointed toward the room, the sound disperses gently and we don’t get the usual pockets where beats suddenly dip or sharpens. We hear the same tone whether we are near the entrance, in the main lounge or moving toward the robata room.
That balance matters for a listening bar. The music leads, but we don’t need to raise our voice for conversations. On the night we visited, the soundtrack moved between light funk and jazz.
The DJ booth is at the centre of the bar with staff saying select performances will take place four days a week, with the remaining days reserved for album-listening sessions. The intention is laudable, and how consistent that schedule becomes will determine the venue’s credibility as a first-grade listening bar.
The food
The menu follows an izakaya rhythm. Available from the bar menu and the robata room, the dishes are compact, shareable and designed for comfort.
The Akami crispy rice (Dh70) is thin, crunches lightly and carries enough heat to make it hard to stop eating.
A5 wagyu beef tenderloin tartare (Dh130) has the smoky mustard that complements the richness of the meat. Maguro crunch (Dh110), with spicy tuna akami and grilled Japanese eggplant, is tangy and hearty.
The wagyu sando (Dh350) reminds us we are in the Four Seasons. The A5 wagyu is beautifully moist and the bun is soft and structured, and it is likely to become one of the venue’s culinary hits. Desserts include the traditional light Japanese cheesecake (Dh60) and Yellow Hair Warrior (Dh70), a citrus-laced plate, refers to the film Kill Bill with lemon, mango and black sesame meringue.
Saikindo treats non-alcoholic drinks as its own craft rather than mere requirements. Named after hit songs, highlights include I Feel for You, which brings together cantaloupe cordial, Lyre American Malt and cold-brew sencha for a bright experience. Time After Time plays gentler, with strawberry-scented honey and yuzu softened by grapefruit soda.
Contact information
Saikindo at Four Seasons Abu Dhabi is open Sunday to Wednesday from 5pm to 2am and Thursday to Saturday from 5pm to 3am. Reservations can be made by calling 02 333 2333.
This review was conducted at the invitation of the restaurant
