Astral Weeks is a 60-seat listening bar tucked into Perth’s Chinatown precinct. The ground floor puts the record shelves, turntables and main system in view, while a small mezzanine offers a little distance from the bar. Music is the organising idea, not an accessory behind the wine list.
The all-analogue Line Magnetic system was chosen for the room, which has been acoustically treated and laid out around the speakers. Exact component models have not been published. The setup can carry detail at a level that still leaves space for conversation, an important distinction in a room that sees both solo listeners and busy weekend tables.
Staff and guest selectors move through jazz, techno, rock, reggae and hip-hop, with recurring live jazz and special listening sessions adding structure to the calendar. Astral Weeks suits listeners who want records close to the centre of the evening without the formal silence of a traditional jazz kissa.