Commune Design reveals Japanese-inspired vinyl lounge in Nashville
888, a new culinary spot and listening lounge, offers a late-night experience that blends Japanese bites with curated vinyl sounds.
Located in Nashville’s Sobro district, 888 merges the art of Japanese cuisine with the vibe of a record and cocktail bar.
The interior design has been completed by Los Angeles-based design studio Commune Design, led by co-founder Roman Alonso. For this project, Alonso drew inspiration from the kissa bars he visited while working in Japan, blending humble materials like construction-grade plywood, washi paper, and acoustic batting in beautifully unexpected ways.
Commune curated partnerships with Japanese artisans, such as Senda Takanori’s custom washi paper made from record sleeve pulp and a Japanese-inspired lantern by Yuseke Nagai above the bar.
Other elements include vintage persimmon paper used for dining tabletops, traditional tatami mats on the walls, and textiles by Akira Minagawa for Mina Perhonen throughout. Commune also brought in American talent, like Adam Pogue’s unique lanterns and a monumental sushi bar with a DJ stand wrapped in custom tile by ceramicist Sofia Londoño.
