Inspired by extensive travels in Japan, Christopher Gleason has opened Hepcat, an intimate vinyl listening bar and café at 6A State Street in Montpelier.
Gleason, 45, has worked in the Vermont hospitality sector for many years and was most recently the general manager at Richmond’s Hatchet Tavern. Over several trips to Japan, he said, he loved visiting what are called kissa: café-bars with high-end audio systems that play classic American jazz. He wanted to bring that experience to Montpelier, where he has lived for a decade.
“You go there to unwind after work, have a coffee or beer, and just sit and listen to the music,” Gleason said. He will not “outlaw conversation” at Hepcat but does not allow laptops or offer Wi-Fi.
Gleason hopes guests will chat quietly while listening to jazz and other music from his extensive personal record collection as they enjoy a glass of natural wine from Japan, Sapporo beer on tap, or an espresso or pour-over made with beans from Brio Coffeeworks of Burlington or Abracadabra Coffee of Woodstock. He plans to add spirits in a few months.
Food is currently limited to nuts and pizza delivery from Positive Pie, a few doors away, but Gleason is working on expanding the menu with a few small dishes “in the Japanese tradition.”
The tiny Hepcat has 10 seats at the Douglas fir bar, which was custom built with Japanese-style joinery, plus standing room for four to six patrons. Gleason said the focal point of his sound system is a custom pair of Altec Lansing speakers. Mondays are community vinyl nights, when guests can bring in their own records and Gleason will play a side.
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This article appears in Feb 26 – Mar 4, 2025.
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