Vinyl has made a comeback — and with it, the record store as destination. The best shops have character, curation, and the kind of stock that rewards a serious dig. Here are the ones worth travelling for.
Tokyo: Disk Union, Tower Records Shibuya
Tokyo is vinyl heaven. Disk Union has multiple locations, each specialising — jazz, classical, used. The Shibuya Tower Records is six floors of music. The selection is staggering. Prices can be high for imports, but the used bins often yield treasures. Plan a full day.
London: Rough Trade, Sister Ray
Rough Trade East is an institution — massive floor space, in-store performances, a café. Sister Ray in Soho is smaller but curated. Both reward browsing. London's vinyl scene is thriving; you could spend a week and not see everything.
New York: A1, Academy Records
A1 in the East Village has been a digger's destination for decades. Academy Records has two locations with strong used sections. Both have staff who know their stock. Go with time and an open mind.
Amsterdam: Concerto, Rush Hour
Concerto is one of Europe's largest independent record stores. Rush Hour specialises in dance music and has its own label. Amsterdam punches above its weight for vinyl.
What Makes a Great Store
Staff who care. Organisation that makes sense. A mix of new and used. A point of view. The best stores feel like they were built by people who love music, not by a spreadsheet.
