Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City for Record Store Fans
Top Things to Do in New York City for Record Store Fans
1. Rough Trade NYC
A flagship outpost of the famed UK shop set inside Rockefeller Center, Rough Trade mixes new releases with choice reissues, exclusives, and in-store events. Bright, browseable racks make it easy to dig by genre without missing limited drops or signed stock.
✓ Why Go:
It’s a reliable first stop for new-release Fridays and special editions, often with artist signings and label showcases that bring NYC’s music community together.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Friday late morning for fresh stock and fewer crowds; weekday evenings when in-store performances are scheduled.
✓ Insider Tip:
Check their socials the night before major releases—RSD exclusives and colored variants are usually announced and queued early.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors praise the selection depth for indie, pop, and alternative, plus helpful staff; some note that event days can get crowded.
2. Academy Records & CDs
Chelsea’s long-running crate-digger institution balances used gems with well-curated new vinyl and CDs. Bins turn over quickly, rewarding patient diggers and repeat visits.
✓ Why Go:
For condition-conscious used LPs across rock, jazz, soul, and classical, priced fairly with a knowledgeable team that knows their matrix numbers.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekday afternoons for the freshest trade-ins; Sunday late afternoon for post-weekend markdowns.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask about the new arrivals behind the counter—many rarities never hit the floor if you don’t inquire.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Regulars laud honest grading and smart pricing; occasional complaints cite popular titles moving fast.
3. Academy Records East Village
A downtown favorite with deep stacks of used vinyl spanning punk to avant-jazz. Expect listening copies, bargain bins, and a steady stream of local collectors trading in.
✓ Why Go:
It’s prime territory for underground and NYC-scene history—perfect for filling gaps in post-punk, no wave, and experimental shelves.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late morning on weekdays for calmer browsing; Fridays for new arrivals ahead of the weekend rush.
✓ Insider Tip:
Flip through the wall and under-the-bin crates—higher-end stock and odd sizes hide there.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Fans love the adventurous curation and friendly staff; the shop can feel snug at peak hours.
4. Jazz Record Center
An eighth-floor sanctuary for jazz obsessives, specializing in original pressings, box sets, and out-of-print books and magazines. It’s part archive, part shop, and wholly essential.
✓ Why Go:
Serious jazz collectors find rare Blue Note, Prestige, and Impulse! treasures with expert guidance from staff who live and breathe the genre.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekday afternoons; hours can be limited, so plan around mid-day when it’s quietest.
✓ Insider Tip:
Bring a want list and ask—much of the best stock is stored flat or filed by label beyond the main racks.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Customers rave about the museum-like depth and fair grading; a few note the elevator trek is part of the charm.
5. Downtown Music Gallery
A Lower East Side stronghold for avant-garde, free jazz, and experimental music with a mail-order pedigree and passionate staff recommendations.
✓ Why Go:
If you’re chasing the outer edges—improv, contemporary composition, global underground—this is where NYC’s deep cuts live.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late afternoon into early evening, when staff picks and new arrivals are freshly shelved.
✓ Insider Tip:
Check the hand-written notes tucked into bins—they often point to sleeper titles you’ll miss online.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Beloved for fearless curation and conversation; some first-timers find the selection niche—but that’s the point.
6. Generation Records
Village mainstay with a punk, hardcore, and metal backbone, plus soundtracks and pop culture ephemera. The downstairs stacks reward long digs.
✓ Why Go:
For NYC punk lineage and tour-only rarities, alongside new represses and live-show flyers that tell local history.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early Saturday before showgoers roll in; weekday evenings for a quieter browse.
✓ Insider Tip:
Head to the basement for heavier genres and bargain bins—merch boxes often hide limited 7-inches.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Praised for community vibes and staff knowledge; occasional notes about tight aisles during peak times.
7. Rock and Soul
A Midtown institution serving DJs since the 1970s, stocking hip-hop, house, disco, and edit 12-inches alongside turntables, mixers, and needles.
✓ Why Go:
It’s the one-stop shop to grab vinyl and the gear to play it—plus advice from working DJs who know NYC dance floors.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekday lunch hours for hands-on gear demos without the rush; Fridays for fresh dance 12-inches.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask about open-box cartridges and used gear—solid savings if you’re building a setup.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors applaud expert staff and practical tips; a few mention prices reflect pro-grade equipment.
8. Brooklyn Record Exchange (Bushwick)
A modern digger hub tied to the local club scene, offering electronic, indie, experimental, and global grooves with frequent in-stores.
✓ Why Go:
You’ll find cutting-edge 12-inches, small-label LPs, and local artist drops you won’t catch in big-box shops.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late afternoon into evening, especially on event nights tied to nearby venues.
✓ Insider Tip:
Check the new-arrivals wall first—many limited dance records are one-and-done per customer.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Loved for adventurous curation and fair pricing on small-label releases; can get busy before weekend parties.
9. Co-op 87 Records & Tapes
Greenpoint collective shop with a tastemaker slant—well-kept used bins, private press curios, and a steady flow of indie and electronic imports.
✓ Why Go:
A favorite for clean copies and offbeat finds, curated by people active in the NYC music ecosystem.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekday late mornings for newly priced used stock; Sundays for mellow neighborhood browsing.
✓ Insider Tip:
Scan the 45s and cassette shelves—local labels quietly drop limited runs here.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Appreciated for quality control and low-drama digs; selection can skew niche, which fans consider a plus.
10. Record Grouch
A Greenpoint trove mixing art books with used vinyl—post-punk, experimental, krautrock, jazz, and oddities in meticulously organized bins.
✓ Why Go:
For left-field discoveries and first-press surprises in excellent condition, curated with a collector’s eye.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Afternoons midweek for unhurried browsing and fresh trade-ins.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask about the back room—higher-value pieces sometimes sit off the main floor until requested.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Reviewers celebrate the sharp taste level and playable copies; a handful note prices can reflect rarity.
