Lo-fi lounging at IMEX

Where sound, space and slowing down meet

When notifications are constant and schedules are packed, the idea of slowing down has taken on new appeal. Enter the low fi lounge: spaces inspired by the rise of vinyl listening bars, where atmosphere matters as much as sound and presence is the point. 

According to Roadbook, these intimate, design led venues are redefining how we listen, connect and unwind—favoring warmth, texture and intention over volume and action. We can see the same mindset shaping experiences across the meetings industry, including on the IMEX show floor. 

Low fi culture is about more than music. It’s about creating environments that invite people to pause, tune in and engage differently. Think comfortable seating, thoughtful lighting and curated soundscapes that encourage conversation rather than compete with it. For attendees navigating busy days of meetings and education, these moments of calm aren’t a luxury—they’re essential.

Lo-fi lounge destinations at IMEX include Barcelona (booth C250) where Jaç Hi-Fi café captures the city’s creative spirit with locally roasted coffee and laidback listening. Trader HiFi in Hamburg (booth B155) reflects the city’s deep musical heritage, pairing industrial cool and serious coffee with a strong sense of community and flow. 

Vago in Lisbon (booth D100) leans into both early evening relaxation and late night revelry, echoing the city’s broad appeal. Notre Dame Music Bar in Paris Convention Bureau (booth D230) combines craft cocktails and “Hi-Fi holy grails”, into an effortlessly cool experience. Milan’s (booth E440) MOGO Hi-Far Bar & Dining channels Milan’s design forward mindset, where every detail is considered and nothing feels rushed. 

Long haul destinations are also part of the story. The Music Room at HER in Melbourne (booth F220) reflects a city known for its culinary culture and creative scenes—a place where conversation lingers over food, cocktails and vintage vinyl. New York City Tourism + Conventions (booth E160) is home to All Blues, a carefully considered reincarnation of a Japanese listening bar. 

Home to the original Japanese listening bars, Tokyo’s (booth F450) Little Soul Café embodies the ethos in an intimate, warm, inclusive—and soulful space. 

For the meetings industry, low fi lounging speaks to a broader shift. Increasingly we all want experiences that support how we feel, not just where we go. Spaces that take us out of our digital worlds into the real and the tangible. Spaces that allow for reflection, meaningful dialogue and sensory balance help people show up more present—and more open—to new ideas and new connections.

Intentional design and atmosphere can transform the way we meet. Sometimes, the most powerful conversations start when the volume goes down.

Search exhibitors