Fans of Japanese whisky and serious Hi-Fi are being offered a taste of Tokyo nightlife this summer, thanks to a collaboration between Technics and Suntory Toki whisky.
The Japanese titans have joined forces for Toki-O Nights, a rolling programme of listening bar events inspired by Japan’s celebrated kissaten cafés and vinyl-led listening spaces. Running from June through to December 2026, the series will bring together carefully curated music, high-fidelity sound systems and the ritual of the Japanese whisky highball, across venues in London, Manchester and Edinburgh.
It’s an inspired partnership. Technics has long been associated with precision engineering and the ritual of attentive listening, while Suntory Toki occupies a similarly contemporary space within Japanese whisky, blending traditional whisky-making with modern cocktail culture.
The series will bring together carefully curated music, high-fidelity sound systems and the ritual of the Japanese whisky highball…
Vinyl, highballs and Hi-Fi
The listening bar has become one of Japan’s most influential cultural exports in recent years. Traditionally, these intimate spaces revolve around carefully selected records, subdued lighting and an atmosphere where conversation and music coexist rather than compete.
Toki-O Nights aims to reinterpret that formula through a mix of free DJ-led evenings and more immersive ticketed sessions.
Launching June 3 at Spiritland Kings Cross, the series continues twice monthly across venues including Spiritland, London; Equal Parts, London; Bar Shrimp, Manchester; Mitsu, London; Caley Bar, Edinburgh; The Listening Room, London; Mad Cats, London; Archive & Myth, London; and Jazu, London.
Music programming will lean heavily into the eclectic, with selectors including Nina Yamada, Mari Kimura and Zag Erlat contributing sets spanning jazz, soul and electronic music. The line-up reflects the wider ethos of the series – heritage meeting modernity.
Technics gear naturally will be central to the experience. Events will be powered by Technics SL-1200GR2 turntables, descendants of one of the most iconic record decks ever produced, with Technics EAH-A800 headphones available for those more intimate listening sessions.
Select venues will also feature dedicated listening stations, allowing guests to settle in with a dram and focus on the music with fewer distractions.
Alongside the music sits another carefully observed Japanese ritual: the whisky highball. Often underestimated outside Japan, this classic cocktail of whisky, soda and ice demands remarkable precision when properly prepared. Balance, temperature, carbonation and dilution all matter. Suntory Toki has become closely associated with the highball, thanks largely to its lighter, fresher profile.
Each participating venue will create its own interpretation of the Toki Highball, while ticketed events will include workshops exploring both Japanese vinyl culture and the art of crafting the perfect serve. There’s something wonderfully fitting about pairing a meticulously prepared whisky cocktail with a carefully calibrated sound system…
Frank Balzuweit, Technical Marketing Lead for Technics, described the collaboration as a natural fit, rooted in authentic listening experiences and social connection: “Technics has long been rooted in precision sound and authentic listening experiences, making this partnership with Suntory Toki whisky a natural fit and extremely exciting.”
Raffaele Di Monaco said the series celebrates two rituals he has long admired.
“The beauty of the Highball lies in its precision; it’s crisp, refreshing and seemingly simple, but every detail matters. Paired with the atmosphere of Japan’s listening bar culture, it creates a moment that feels both considered and social.”
Toki-O Nights begins June 3 at Spiritland Kings Cross, and runs through December 2026. Events will take place twice monthly across participating venues, with a mixture of free-entry DJ nights and ticketed specialist sessions. Further reservations and ticket details visit Toki-O Nights UK.
Restock your bar cart with Suntory Toki from The Whisky Exchange, priced £32.25.
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