King West welcomes an exciting new addition to its vibrant hospitality scene; Kissa, a Japanese-inspired vinyl-only listening lounge, is set to open its doors at 619 King Street West.Kissa, pronounced “key-sa,” is derived from ‘kissaten,’ Japanese-style speakeasy teahouses popular in the 1920s, and will mix Japanese-inspired cuisine with an elevated cocktail program.
Hospitality veterans Dan Gunam (Soluna, Love Child Social House, Cali Love) and Vito Tomasicchio (Nodo, Soluna, Nest, Hush Hush) mix Japanese-inspired cuisine with an elevated cocktail program and music from the 80s, 90s and early 2000s. With its sophisticated ambiance, vinyl-powered vintage sound system, and captivating interior, Kissa promises an unforgettable evening for its astute guests.
The perfect place to unwind in the evening, the downstairs floor of Kissa is for the sophisticated crowd looking for an intimate night out and a vinyl-only listening experience – playing nothing after 2015. The vinyl-powered vintage sound system was custom built by Sounds Better (jojoflores & Mike Oliver) using custom vintage JBL speakers powered by Bryston Amps, combined with a D&B Sound System that is connected to a Master Sounds Radius 4V Analogue Rotary Mixer providing a warm, rich sound throughout the space. With its built-in DJ booth, impressive 2,500+ collection vinyl record wall, ceiling-hung crystal disco balls, textured velvet details, and ambient mood lighting, Kissa offers a truly unique experience. Designed by Victoria Opacak from All In Design and Damon Snider from Type D Living, the captivating ambiance transports guests to a different time and place, creating a memorable and immersive experience that engages all the senses.
Chef Michael Parubocki (Momofuku, Kasa Moto) is Kissa’s Director of Culinary alongside Dylan Sampson (Kiu, Kasa Moto) as Head Chef. Together they’ve developed a Japanese-inspired Izakaya-style menu that will bring a taste of Japanese flavours to King West. Must-try dishes on the menu include shrimp tempura served with a yuzu pepper aioli, wagyu katsu sando and yuzu cheesecake.
Kissa’s Mixology Director, Blake Canning (Casa Madera, The Butcher Chef), has crafted an inventive beverage program featuring 18 cocktails. Each of these meticulously crafted cocktails are named after famous albums, like “Prince & The Revolution” and “Wildflowers.”
At the end of July, the upstairs open-concept lounge will open with its own DJ booth and bar, along with a private members-only room tucked away for a more intimate experience. The owners of Kissa, Dan Gunam and Vito Tomasicchio, will launch the Goodnight Club, a private members concierge club that will begin at the end of summer, just in time for TIFF. The membership will include VIP access to Kissa and Soluna, in addition to exclusive perks, private parties, international festivals, and experiences.
The downstairs floor of Kissa will open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday from 6 pm to 11 pm, with cocktails and the listening lounge open until 2 am featuring guest DJs playing vinyl sets. To book a reservation or learn more, visit kissatoronto.com or @kissatoronto.
