The bar, or should I say speakeasy, hides behind a seemingly inviting industrial façade with one curious window. The wooden door seems to ask for a password, but there isn’t any. Upon entrance, a huge cabinet of vinyl records and a bartender welcome the visitor. We are at Jay Amante’s 78-53-86, a bar named after a phone number.
Soft jazz notes from Wayne Shorter’s “Speak No Evil” fills the tiny space. The space has gray walls and seats. The only colors that you would see here are the vibrant cocktails, vinyl sleeves, and a few artworks by MM Yu, Lui Cordero, and Kawayan de Guia.
After “Speak No Evil,” Jackie McLean’s “Vertigo” will play next. Amante himself predetermines the music that will be played in the bar. With around 60 shelves of vinyl records that would amount to approximately 9,000 records, 78-53-86 can probably play different music every day.
While the bar primarily boasts of its wide vinyl collection, 78-53-86’s cocktail menu is also eclectic. The bar offers classic cocktails like Whisky Sour and Bronx, but you can always ask the bartender to whip an all-new cocktail based on your preferences.
Off the menu, 78-53-86 has a cocktail named after one of Amante’s favorite albums Miles Davis’ “In a Silent Way.” The cocktail is a mix of Yamazaki, Goldschlager, and Contreaux with a slice of apple and a dash of cinnamon. The cocktail is spirit-forward, but it has hints of sweet notes. True to its name, the cocktail is best enjoyed in moments of silence and contemplation.
Spending a night at 78-53-86 triggers memories of Japanese jazz bars from the pages of a Haruki Murakami novel. Quiet moments are essential, whether spent alone or with someone whom you can talk to endlessly. And 78-53-86 is that physical hotline you can visit when the need arises.
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