The best record shops in London

Originally established in the 1970s, Rough Trade is an iconic independent record store (as well as a related label) with locations around the UK and in New York City. It specialises in alternative music and often features debut releases by the buzziest new talent, though you can find the latest chart-toppers here as well. Rough Trade East on Brick Lane is especially worth checking out, as it has a stage where some of the biggest stars in the world have played intimate album release shows.

Designed by global rockstar Jack White during the pandemic, Third Man Records in London is a shock of bright yellow colour and quirkiness in Carnaby. Across two floors you’ll find vinyl, apparel and other related music merch and gear, as well as an intimate live music venue in the basement, a token-operated lucky dip book machine, a recording booth for recording your music straight to vinyl, and more.

The beloved Sounds of the Universe boasts an eclectic array of genres, ranging from techno to jazz, with an emphasis on music of African origin and releases by its sibling label Soul Jazz. Spread across two floors, you’ll find new releases upstairs and second-hand releases and rarities downstairs, as well as a bunch of other music-related goods. Keep an eye out for who’s digging through the crates next to you as well, as famous faces such as Four Tet, Questlove or Gilles Peterson like to stop by.

Featured on the cover of the classic Oasis album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, Reckless Records is a second-hand record store that was established in 1984. You can sell more or less any kind of music releases here, though their specialties are rock & pop, soul & dance, jazz, punk and reggae. They stock a wide variety of genres, however, including numerous special releases and hard-to-find gems.

Around since 1974, Honest Jon’s has a long-standing reputation for stocking top jazz, soul, experimental and reggae releases. It counts names such as Gilles Peterson and Roger Beaujolais among its patrons, and runs an eponymous record label in collaboration with Damon Albarn of Blur and Gorillaz fame. The store is headquartered in Notting Hill, but has a small outpost in the Coal Drops Yard development in King’s Cross as well.

Out on the Floor is Camden's oldest record store, established in 1989, and boasts a small but highly knowledgeable team that can provide an honest valuation for whatever vinyl record you want to offload. One of the co-founders is highly respected on the reggae scene due to his expertise and has helped the store become a regular destination for the most demanding of reggae selectors, though it does stock a wide range of other genres as well.

At All Ages Records in Camden Town, punk is very much alive. The independent record store specialises in punk, hardcore, ska, metal and related genres, selling a wide array of CD and vinyl releases. The shop also stocks apparel, fanzines, literature, DVDs, patches, gig tickets, badges and more.

Maestro Records, Peckham’s oldest record store, is owned by music enthusiast Michael Fountaine, who runs the independent Black music shop in a warm, family-friendly atmosphere. There’s a wide range of funk, soul, reggae, hip-hop and other releases to browse through, as well as books, DVDs and merch.

Whether you’re in the market for the hottest new house bangers or an obscure drone release, the Phonica Records store in Soho is a good choice to meet your needs. The independent record shop focuses on electronic music and its various subgenres and spin-offs. In addition to the retail programme, they host regular in-store events. Famous producers such as Four Tet and Floating Points can also often be found shopping here.

With its stacked shelves and crates, Sounds That Swing charts the history of rock ‘n’ roll and associated genres from the beginning to today. The popular independent record store boasts an especially plentiful trove of 45s and caters to a crowd of that includes colourful local characters, celebrities such as Robert Plant, Daniel Craig and Stewart Lee, and whoever else drops in.

Soul Brother Records, as hinted by the name, is an independent record store that focuses on soul, funk and jazz music, offering more than 10,000 releases in various formats. The Wandsworth shop also often organizes in-store gigs, as well as running a regular radio show.

Casbah Records is a cosy independent record store that covers everything from rock ‘n’ roll to hip-hop and electronic music, but specialises in classic 1960s and 1970s pop and rock, indie, soul, funk and cult soundtracks. In addition to vinyl records, CDs, DVDs and T-shirts, they’re one of the few remaining shops that sell 8-track tapes.

The much-loved Sister Ray has been a fixture of record shopping in Soho for more than 30 years. Its rich past includes helping establish sales-driving Record Store Day initiative in the United Kingdom. The store stocks new albums in a broad spectrum of genres, but is famous for being able to leverage its long-lasting esteem to secure exclusive pressings and rare releases.

The Flashback group is comprised of three independent records stores around the city, ranging from the original Islington flagship with a basement trove of second-hand and collectors’ vinyl in addition to the ground-floor novelties, a Shoreditch retail space with a live music venue and a dedicated jazz, reggae and soul basement, and a recently relocated Crouch End spot with a broad selection of new and used releases.

Run by respected figures of London’s record store scene, Love Vinyl opened in 2014 and keeps things nice and clean with two separate counters, one for new releases primarily of the house, techno and disco varieties, and one for hard-to find rarities and used gems. The mezzanine floor also hosts in-store concerts.

An unmissable destination for metalheads and fans of heavy music, the Crypt of the Wizard in Hackney stocks more than a thousand new and second-hand releases in a broad spectrum of genres and various formats, including cassette tapes. You can also pick up zines, T-shirts and other merchandise here.

The Stranger Than Paradise Records store is hidden away in the building that houses Mare Street Market. The indie record store covers a comprehensive spectrum of genres, from metal and folk to dub and modern composition. You can get new as well as used releases here, and the treasure trove is restocked regularly, so repeat visits are in order.

Hackney’s Yo-Yo Records is a young indie record store that specialises in US and Canadian originals and vintage pressings, as well as covering funk, soul, jazz, fusion, Brazilian, Latin and a host of other genres. They stock both new and used releases, as well as merch.

Rise Above Records & Relics is owned by the frontman of legendary doom metallers Cathedral. The shop and label specialises in heavy and psychedelic music, covering a diverse spectrum of genres from prog rock to acid folk. The house label has published releases by some of the biggest acts in this field today.

Kingsland Records is an independent record label renowned for supporting up-and-coming artists spanning many music genres. They provide a stage for musicians to express their creativity and connect with broader audiences. They maintain a commitment to shaping the future of the music industry, offering a nurturing environment for promising talent and championing a vibrant and innovative approach to the world of music. Browse the collection of records available or watch one of the regular live sets that take place in-store.

There's a unique concept at appointment-only record shop Vinyl Pimp. Located in a converted East London warehouse, it's the city's only record shop that also offers guest accommodation. You can make an appointment to browse in the daytime or arrange a one-night stay in the trendy but simple guest room. Your stay is free of charge if you spend a certain amount on vinyl, with records spanning the entire musical spectrum.

Set into a London Fields railway arch, The BBE Store is a well-established secondhand record shop that started in 2016 as a pop-up. Thousands of secondhand records and CDs are available here, covering genres like reggae, hip hop, jazz, funk, and soul. There's also a licensed bar and the venue regularly hosts DJ sets.

Tucked away in Ridley Road, Hidden Sounds is a relaxed and cosy record shop where you can browse the vinyl on offer, grab a drink, and enjoy listening parties and similar events. The selection of records covers a varied range of genres and there are record players available for you to check out some of the records before you make a purchase.

Raven Records is an intriguing record store in Camden Town, catering specifically to metal music enthusiasts across all genres, making it a real treasure for avid headbangers. But there's more to this place than just music; it also houses a café that offers pour-over coffee, as well as the world's first heavy metal bar that's entirely alcohol-free, boasting an extensive selection of non-alcoholic beers, spirits, and other beverages.