Eternyl Vinyl Cafe in Sea Park, PJ
Spotify may have made playlisting our new vibe, but there’s just something about escaping the noise of the digital world and celebrating the scratchy magic of a full album on a record player.
While other cities are seeing a revival of listening bars, in Klang Valley, there are just a handful of spots where music isn’t playlisted or dissolved into the background.
This includes Eternyl Vinyl Cafe, a cosy spot that recently cropped up in PJ’s Sea Park. It closely channels a Japanese kissa, or listening bar, with listening stations where you can zone out and listen to music that feels like a massage.
What is Eternyl Vinyl Cafe?
Music is the main course at Eternyl. The cafe is a time capsule of sound, with a collection of vinyl records for audiophiles to indulge in the beauty of music the old-fashioned way.
Whether you’re a Swiftie or still jamming to old-school classics from the likes of Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, and Bill Withers, this place invites you to slow down and sink into the warm crackle of a good vinyl.
And if you’re just someone who has never touched a record player in your life, don’t fret – the friendly staff are always around to guide you, even if you need help to just change tracks. Else, there’s also an instructional video to watch and make things easier for first-time record spinners.
Ten listening stations for music lovers
You walk into a nondescript shoplot, go up a flight of stairs, and are met with low couches and yellow lighting in a cave-like space that’ll transport you to another time.
The highlight here, of course, is the vinyls, all stored and displayed with collector-worthy care in a record-picking room. We spotted vinyl albums from Dr. Dre, Frank Ocean, Ella Mai, The Smiths, Avril Lavigne, Amy Winehouse, Pink Floyd – the options are vast here.
For a reasonable listening fee of RM20 per 90-minute session, guests can sit down in front of an Audio-Technica record player for a private vinyl listening experience, either at a 2- or 4-seater table. There are 15 listening stations with noise-cancelling headphones, and the option to extend your listening session for another hour for RM10.
To accompany the music, the cafe offers a simple menu of coffees and cakes. Savour a slice of their Original Burnt Cheesecake (RM15) or sip on a Cappuccino (RM15) while enjoying uninterrupted moments in the world of vinyl.
Founded by a pair of music lovers
Eternyl was founded by music enthusiast Lau Jay Earn, also known as Jay, with the support of his longtime friend and spokesperson Yap Ye Heng, or Bert. The space currently houses around 500 vinyl records, with genres ranging from rock, R&B, and hip-hop to jazz, classical, and instrumental.
While the pair have never worked as DJs, their passion for music shines through the collection, which they’ve spent years building. “We want people to feel at home with the music. There’s no pressure to be a vinyl expert. Just come in, listen, and feel something”, Bert shared with us.
When asked about the name of the cafe, Bert shared that he wanted it to be a cosy space where people could slow down and enjoy the beauty of music through records. “Music is eternal, and that is why we named it that”, he said.
The name Eternyl is a play on ‘eternal’ and ‘vinyl’ – a subtle nod to the lasting impact of analogue music in a digital world. “It is about the eternal love for vinyl records and timeless tunes”, the founders explained.
Listen to vinyl records at Eternyl in Sea Park, PJ
For those craving a slower pace and a deeper way to enjoy music, this cosy hideaway might feel like a little slice of heaven.
So if you are searching for your next weekend ritual, this charming spot in Sea Park is well worth a trip to.
Address: 7-1, Jalan 21/11B, Sea Park, 46300, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 2pm-10pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: 03-2694 1968 | Eternyl Vinyl Cafe Instagram
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Cover image adapted from: TheSmartLocal Malaysia
Photography by Yusintha.