New hi-fi listening bar opens in São Paulo, Formosa

A new listening bar is set to open in São Paulo this month.

Founded by partners Facundo Guerra, Ale Youssef and Ale Natacci, Formosa Hi-Fi will open on 31st July in the Vale do Anhangabaú region.

The new venue will host curated listening sessions, themed vinyl nights and other events. The bar has been decked out with a sound system courtesy of Acústica & Sônica, the same company that engineered the acoustics at the Sala São Paulo concert hall.

Events at the bar will be open to the general public, but a paid membership tier will also be on offer. A full list of bookings has yet to be announced.

Guerra, Youssef and Natacci are all veterans of São Paulo nightlife. Guerra used to run Grupo Vegas, Youssef co-founded independent venue Studio SP, and Natacci has worked with clubs like Sonique, Piola, and Exit Bar in the past.

Earlier this year, a Japanese-style listening bar called Suono opened in Liverpool.

Last month, a new documentary series, A Century In Sound, premiered at Sheffield’s DocFest. The films explore Japan’s long and unique history of listening bars and ‘ongaku kissa culture’, spanning the evolution from classic jazz clubs to modern hi-fi spots. Revisit DJ Mag’s deep dive into the phenomenon here.