The 9 New York City Record Stores Where Vinyl Collectors Can Spend Hours Digging
One Manhattan shop has been in business since 1975, growing from a small electronics store into a destination for records, turntables, mixers, and DJ classes. That is older than the compact disc, and it still runs DJ demos and classes today.
In New York, the vinyl hunt gets wonderfully specific. One Brooklyn store doubles as a DJ school. A Ridgewood shop stocks cassettes and 7-inch singles right next to its LPs.
I love that these places reward patience over clicking. You flip, you pull, you squint at a cover you have never seen before. Then you wonder how it stayed off the internet this long.
Some shops lean hard into punk. Others hide opera and showtunes in the back. So which crate is holding the record you did not know you needed?
1. Academy Record Annex
Eight large boxes of new arrivals is a lot of fresh vinyl to flip through. Add two boxes of rare copies, and your afternoon plans just changed.
Academy Record Annex sits in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and the room itself is big. That matters, because the selection needs space to spread out.
You’ll find a pretty big stock of new and sealed vinyl here. Right beside it sits an extensive collection of vintage and used records.
The shop also carries CDs across a range of genres. So if your car still has a disc player, you’re covered too.
Here’s a smart habit for this store. Hit those new arrival boxes first, since fresh stock is where surprises tend to land.
The rare copies boxes are the next stop. They’re small enough to scan quickly, and big enough to hold a real prize.
Prices here earn praise for being decent. That means you can grab a used find without feeling like you emptied your piggy bank.
The staff know their stuff, which helps when you’re stuck. Ask about a genre or an artist, and you’ll likely leave with a lead.
The layout is friendly for browsers. You won’t need a map, just a little time and some curious fingers.
Hours run from 11 AM to 7 PM, seven days a week. That makes it an easy fit for a lazy weekend or a weekday escape.
Greenpoint makes a fun neighborhood to wander after shopping. Your new records can ride along in the tote bag.
Crate diggers can find the big Greenpoint room at 242 Banker St, Brooklyn, NY 11222, a short walk from McCarren Park.
2. Generation Records
Punk fans, your loud little corner of Manhattan is on Thompson Street. Generation Records has built a name on punk, hardcore, and metal.
Don’t worry if you’re more into soft rock, though. The shop covers multiple genres, with new, used, and rare titles on hand.
Look up when you arrive. A huge wall shows off sorted vintage rock LPs, and it can easily eat ten minutes of staring.
Then head downstairs. A whole basement is packed with used, cheap records in many styles.
That basement is your bargain zone. Bring patience, flip slowly, and check the corners of each bin.
Upstairs, you’ll also spot CDs, tees, posters, and DVDs. It’s an easy place to grab a band shirt to match your new record.
The catalog leans eclectic. Some records even come with great inserts tied to New York’s underground music scene.
Those inserts are a fun bonus you can’t feel through a screen. Paper extras like that make a record feel like a time capsule.
Greenwich Village has deep music roots, so the location fits. You’re shopping in a neighborhood that has heard plenty of guitars.
Hours are noon to 8 PM Monday through Saturday. On Sunday, the doors close at 7 PM.
One tip: set a budget before you go downstairs. Cheap records add up fast when the stack in your arms keeps growing.
Punk fans should make their way to 210 Thompson St, New York, NY 10012, right in the heart of Greenwich Village.
3. Academy Records & CDs
Crammed is the right word for this Flatiron District shop. Shelves overflow with CDs, vinyl, and a smaller range of DVDs.
Academy Records & CDs sells both new and used music. You’ll see records in fresh condition sitting near ones with decades behind them.
Classical lovers should mark this one on the map. The selection of classical, post-war, and generally older music is a major strength here.
That makes it a great stop if you’re building a library. Symphonies and older pressings can be tough to track down elsewhere.
So how should you shop a store this packed? Pick one or two sections first, then branch out if time allows.
The CD selection ranks among the most extensive in New York City. If you collect discs too, plan extra minutes.
Movies join the music, so film buffs get something to browse. A double feature of shopping, you could say.
The shop also offers in-store pickup. That’s handy if you’d rather grab something without wandering every aisle.
Hours vary a bit by day. Monday runs noon to 6 PM, while Friday and Saturday stretch until 8 PM.
Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday close at 7 PM. Weekend evenings give you the most time to dig.
Its home on West 18th Street sits close to plenty of Manhattan shopping. Still, this crowded little room might steal your whole afternoon.
Classical lovers will want to stop by 12 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011, just off Fifth Avenue in the Flatiron District.
4. Human Head Records
Jazz funk holy grails in immaculate condition? That’s the kind of find people chase at Human Head Records.
This East Williamsburg shop carries a large collection of new and used vinyl. The rare and desirable records are a big part of its pull.
Turntables and other audio gear are sold here too. That’s a nice bonus if your current setup sounds a little tired.
Think about it as a one-trip upgrade. You can grab the record and something to play it on, all under one roof.
The store sits on Meserole Street in Brooklyn. It’s a solid anchor for a day of record digging around the borough.
Plan to stay a while. Hours of digging here feel normal, not excessive.
Pressing quality is a highlight. Clean, well-kept copies make a big difference when you finally drop the needle.
Families can tag along, since the shop is good for kids. A young music fan might pick a first record here.
Hours are noon to 8 PM, seven days a week. Evening visits work well after school or work.
Wondering where to start? Ask about jazz and funk sections, since those clearly shine.
Then move outward into other genres at your own pace. Nobody’s timing you, except maybe your stomach.
Jazz and funk hunters can head over to 289 Meserole St, Brooklyn, NY 11206, in East Williamsburg.
5. A-1 Record Shop
Salsa, gospel, techno, and metal walk into an East Village record shop. No punchline needed, because A-1 Record Shop actually stocks them.
The crates here hold vintage vinyl from a huge range of genres. You can buy, sell, or trade, so bring your extras.
Hip-hop fans get special treatment. The store carries a big collection of classic EPs and 12-inch records, mostly from New York artists.
West Coast rap shows up too, though in a smaller selection. Either way, it’s a strong stop for DJs and collectors.
The Latin section deserves your attention. Its salsa stock is a serious highlight, so give it real time.
East Asian records also appear on the shelves. That’s not something you stumble on every day.
The curation feels careful, not random. Good picks sit in the bins, which saves you from endless junk.
Prices land in fair territory. That makes it easier to take a chance on an artist you’ve never heard.
A-1 is LGBTQ+ friendly and a transgender safe space. It also has a gender-neutral restroom.
Doors open from noon to 8 PM every day. The East Village is great for a walk once your arms get tired.
Try trading in records you no longer play. Your old stack could help pay for an underground gem.
Bring your trade pile to 439 E 6th St, New York, NY 10009, on a quiet East Village block.
6. Deep Cuts Record Store
Queens gets its moment on this list, and Ridgewood brings the goods. Deep Cuts Record Store lives up to its name.
Expect an extensive selection of new and used vinyl. Rare records sit in the mix, so keep your eyes sharp.
Cassettes are on the shelves too. If you love that old tape hiss, this is your kind of place.
Seven-inch singles also cover a wide range of genres. Those small records often hold songs that never made it to full albums.
Used CDs round out the stock. It’s a nice spread of formats for one neighborhood shop.
Give yourself at least 40 minutes. Even a few sections can keep you busy that long.
Hard-to-find records show up here often. Better still, the prices stay friendly.
Driving over from another part of New York? Free street parking nearby can make the trip easier.
Deep Cuts is LGBTQ+ friendly and a transgender safe space. In-store pickup is offered too.
The shop opens daily from noon to 7 PM. That’s plenty of time for a relaxed Queens outing.
Here’s a fun plan for your visit. Pick one format you rarely buy, like a cassette, and take a small gamble.
You might discover a band that never landed on any streaming playlist you know.
Queens collectors can dig through the bins at 57-03 Catalpa Ave, Ridgewood, NY 11385, where free street parking makes the trip easy.
7. Superior Elevation Record Store / SE DJ SCHOOL
Most record shops sell music. Superior Elevation also teaches you how to mix it, thanks to its in-house DJ school.
The Williamsburg store on Grand Street offers professional DJ training. So you could buy a stack of records and learn to blend them.
Now for the crates. The shop holds an immense amount of used records across a wide variety of styles.
The selection feels curated, even with its size. Record condition stays consistently good, which matters when you’re spending money.
Bargain hunters, look down. Floor-level bins hold records in the cheap range, perfect for slow digging.
Up on the shelves, prices climb. Some sit in mid-to-low territory, while others reach collector levels.
That mix makes for a fun game. Start low and cheap, then decide if a pricier record really earns a spot.
Is DJing on your bucket list? Ask about lessons while you browse.
Learning in a room full of records is pretty motivating. You’ll be surrounded by things to practice with.
Hours are noon to 8 PM daily. That leaves room for an evening dig after a long day.
Williamsburg has plenty to explore nearby. But fair warning, the bins here may keep you from seeing much of it.
Future DJs can pick up records and lessons at 616 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211, in the middle of Williamsburg.
8. Westsider Records
Opera, showtunes, and symphonies get the spotlight on West 72nd Street. Westsider Records leans into the performing arts in a big way.
The shop sells used vinyl, CDs, DVDs, turntables, and books. It’s a little like a music library you can actually take home.
Head to the back for classical. That’s where a vast selection of records and composers waits for you.
Jazz also lives back there. Blues joins the party too, across vinyl, CDs, and cassettes.
Broadway fans will feel right at home. The showtunes collection is a standout, which suits a city so tied to the stage.
Opera recordings are another strength. Finding those on vinyl takes real hunting in most places.
Books add a nice twist. You can grab a record and some reading in one stop.
Turntables are available as well. That helps if your living room is missing the most important piece.
The mood is relaxed. It’s a fine place to browse slowly on the Upper West Side.
Hours run 11 AM to 6:45 PM Monday through Saturday. Sunday closes at 6 PM.
Planning a day near Lincoln Center or Central Park? This shop fits nicely into a classic New York stroll.
Showtune fans will feel right at home at 233 W 72nd St, New York, NY 10023, an easy stroll from Lincoln Center.
9. Rock and Soul DJ Equipment and Records
Rock and Soul opened in 1975 as a small electronics store on Seventh Avenue, adding vinyl records in its early years before expanding into professional DJ equipment. Decades later, Rock and Soul is still doing exactly that.
The store stocks turntables, mixers, and headphones. It also carries a fantastic selection of vinyl.
Some of those records are rare and hard to find. So don’t treat this as just a gear stop.
DJ demos and classes are offered here. That’s great if you want to test equipment before buying.
The staff know the business well. Ask questions about setups, and you’ll get help that makes sense.
Planning your first turntable rig? Start with a conversation, then pick records to test it.
The shop offers lots of ways to buy. In-store shopping, curbside pickup, in-store pickup, and delivery are all on the table.
It’s good for kids, too. A young beatmaker could get hooked here pretty fast.
Rock and Soul is LGBTQ+ friendly and a transgender safe space. Everyone gets a spot near the decks.
Hours run 9:30 AM to 7 PM Monday through Saturday. The store is closed on Sundays.
That early opening is handy for a morning in Midtown. You can grab gear and records before the city gets busy.
Few stores in New York pair this much history with this much hardware. Your next mix might start right here.
Gear and vinyl wait together at 49 W 37th St, New York, NY 10018, a few blocks from Bryant Park in Midtown.