{"id":139388,"date":"2025-08-12T10:09:11","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T10:09:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/139388\/"},"modified":"2025-08-12T10:09:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T10:09:11","slug":"shyboy-hi-fi-bar-in-the-drakestone-gives-dallas-nightlife-fans-a-new-temple-of-sound","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/139388\/","title":{"rendered":"Shyboy Hi-Fi bar in the Drakestone gives Dallas nightlife fans a new temple of sound"},"content":{"rendered":"

In post-World War II Tokyo, \u201cjazz kissas\u201d became a beloved part of the city\u2019s cultural scene. Often held in private homes, these intimate cafes continue to be a place for music aficionados to drink, mingle and listen to rare records. <\/p>\n

Jonathan Merla, vice president of marketing for Dallas-based real estate development and hospitality firm Headington Cos., had become fond of these tiny yet vibrant spots over years of visiting Japan. When the 3,000-square-foot subterranean level of the company-owned Drakestone Apartments (the former Republic National Bank building<\/a>) became available, it seemed like the perfect setting to bring a similar concept to Dallas.<\/p>\n

Designed by the architectural firm 5G Studio Collaborative, Shyboy Hi-Fi\u2019s<\/a> brutalist-inspired space features James Turrell-esque light installations on the ceiling and behind the DJ booth. A Lachlan Turczan<\/a> piece takes pride of place in the vestibule of the original 1920s vault, transforming sound waves into movement at the top of a water basin.<\/p>\n

Custom-built speakers by Devon Turnbull of OJAS (who has previously collaborated with brands like Prada and Supreme) assure the sound will be as crystal-clear as possible when Shyboy opens this fall. Merla, who has also traveled across the U.S. to explore hi-fi bars from coast to coast, says he has amassed a collection of \u201cextremely rare records,\u201d from Philip Glass to Leonard Bernstein. <\/p>\n

News Roundups<\/p>\n

Catch up on the day’s news you need to know.<\/p>\n

\"Jonathan<\/p>\n

Jonathan Merla surveys the vault at the future nightspot Shyboy Hi-Fi. The subterranean listening lounge is in a former bank.<\/p>\n

James Kung<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wanted to be agnostic about the music,\u201d he says. \u201cOne night you can show up and it\u2019ll be a Japanese city pop night, then on the weekend we might have Theo Parrish playing Chicago house. There\u2019s this breadth of programming.\u201d <\/p>\n

With \u201cdemocratic\u201d cocktail pricing (drinks start at $13) and rare cover fees, Shyboy is intended to be as egalitarian as possible. And Merla hopes the spot\u2019s tagline, \u201cThe Sound That Makes You Feel,\u201d will resonate for listeners of all tastes and ages.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of work has gone into this thing, but at the end of the day, it\u2019s just a place to hear good music,\u201d Merla says. \u201cThe music is what matters most.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"Local<\/a>Deep Ellum legend Keyboard Bob has died<\/a><\/p>\n

The local icon carried his keyboard around the neighborhood and was known to jump onstage to play at shows at bars and clubs.<\/p>\n

\"Benito<\/a>U.S. tourist who flew to Puerto Rico for Bad Bunny concert fatally shot<\/a><\/p>\n

Gunfire followed argument between several people, police say.<\/p>\n