Kiku Room Listening Bar, a brand-new fusion bar that combines cocktails and eclectic music, is opening in San Diego at 2812 Kettner Boulevard.
The new 1,700-square-foot concept will move into the former home of Kava Lounge, where the original Casbah opened in 1989. Partners Robert Richter and Paul Scappechio plan to open the Kiku Room Listening Bar in this space later this year. Richter tells What Now San Diego they hope to open the concept in early summer 2025, offering a variety of classic cocktails and variations, with a $10 rotating classic cocktail menu as a staple.
While cocktails and other alcoholic beverages will significantly appeal to this concept, they are only half the business. Kiku Room Listening Bar will be largely dedicated to the art of music, with several different formats playing throughout the week. The music at this new bar will be unlike what’s played at most other bars in San Diego, meaning no top 40s but instead some deep cuts and many variations.
“Inspired by the Japanese concept of “jazz kissa,” or jazz cafe, Kiku Room sets out to offer a neighborhood bar with a strong focus on eclectic music from open to close,” according to a media copy sent to What Now San Diego. “Sound will come in the form of vinyl, digital, reel-to-reel, or a curated playlist as we get the bar open and cranking for business. Bottom line is we want guests comfortable and in sync with the music as soon as they walk in the door.’ It is less about the format in which we play the music and more about the effect the music has on its patrons. The objective here is to listen. Listen to the conversation from your group, listen to the music, listen to your urge for another highball. Come join us at Kiku Room, your neighborhood audiophile bar.”
Key players in this project include Ralitsa Kombakis of Studio Rallou and Atmosphere Construction & Design, who will create a dark and moody aesthetic with a natural and understated ambiance. A YoungBlood alum is developing the cocktail program. As for the founders, Richter is the current business owner of Flur Architectural Metals, specializing in the design and custom fabrication of architectural metal finishes for restaurants, hotels, and commercial spaces. In the seven years since he opened, he has worked with many clients to help transform spaces, including Godfrey Hotel (Hollywood, CA), Paradisea (La Jolla, CA), St. James French Diner (Downtown San Diego, CA), Underbelly Ramen (Little Italy, San Diego), and more. Scappechio, on the other hand, has over 12 years of experience in the food and beverage space, covering all aspects of the front of the house. His roles have ranged from head bartender to food and beverage director for Mirani Holdings LLC.
