Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City for Record Store Fans in Brooklyn
Top Things to Do in New York City for Record Store Fans in Brooklyn
1. Academy Record Annex
A sprawling Greenpoint outpost packed with deep used bins, new indie releases, and a wall of collectible pressings. The spacious layout makes unhurried crate-digging feel like a treasure hunt.
✓ Why Go:
It’s a reliable place to score everything from dollar-bin curios to near-mint grails, with staff who can point you to era or genre sweet spots fast.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekday late mornings for quieter aisles; weekends right at opening if you’re chasing freshly priced arrivals.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask about newly traded collections that haven’t hit the floor yet—sometimes they’ll let you preview a box or two.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors praise fair pricing, wide variety, and staff picks that consistently deliver sleeper favorites.
2. Brooklyn Record Exchange (Greenpoint)
A compact, impeccably curated shop emphasizing adventurous electronic, experimental, and left-field rock alongside essential classics.
✓ Why Go:
Perfect for explorers who prefer quality over quantity—every bin feels handpicked, with strong local label representation.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early afternoons midweek for room to sample; late Fridays for freshly stocked weekends.
✓ Insider Tip:
Flip through the new-arrivals carts first—turnover is brisk and rarities don’t linger.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Crate-diggers love the tastemaker curation and knowledgeable, friendly advice for diving deeper.
3. Brooklyn Record Exchange (Bushwick)
Sister shop to the Greenpoint location, this Bushwick hub skews club-forward with techno, house, disco, and global grooves, plus local 12-inches.
✓ Why Go:
DJs and dancers come for floor-tested cuts and white labels you won’t find elsewhere, all organized for fast, pre-gig digs.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late afternoons Thursday–Saturday when weekend stock drops; weekdays for unhurried listening.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask for staff’s ‘if you like this, try that’ pairings—great for building cohesive DJ sets.
✓ What Visitors Say:
A destination for selectors; visitors applaud the club-savvy selection and steady stream of fresh 12-inches.
4. Record Grouch
Quirky Greenpoint stalwart known for left-of-center jazz, minimalism, noise, and obscure private-press finds alongside classic rock staples.
✓ Why Go:
If you crave the odd and the rare, this is where out-of-print titles and cult labels quietly appear.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Midweek afternoons; weekends get lively with fellow obsessives trading recommendations in the aisles.
✓ Insider Tip:
Scan the higher shelves and under-bin boxes—staff stash interesting one-offs in less obvious spots.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Beloved for its adventurous spirit and fair gradings; many call it a Greenpoint essential.
5. Deep Cuts
Bushwick shop balancing new indie, jazz reissues, hip-hop, and global selections with a neighborhood hangout vibe.
✓ Why Go:
Thoughtful curation makes it easy to leave with something new and something nostalgic—without breaking the bank.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Evenings on weekdays for a relaxed browse; weekend mornings for fresh restocks.
✓ Insider Tip:
Check the local-artist section for limited runs that sell out before they ever hit streaming.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Warm staff, clean copies, and prices that feel fair keep regulars returning.
6. The Mixtape Shop
Bed-Stuy café-meets-record-store pairing espresso with crates of soul, R&B, house, and global beats.
✓ Why Go:
A perfect two-hour pit stop: sip, listen, and discover under-the-radar 7-inches and immaculate reissues.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late morning to early afternoon when the turntable’s spinning and the coffee line is short.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask for staff listening notes; they’ll point you to comparable cuts from the shop’s backstock.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Travelers love the welcoming vibe and tight, tasteful selection that punches above its size.
7. Vinyl Fantasy
Bushwick hybrid store blending comics culture with a savvy vinyl corner heavy on punk, indie, and soundtracks.
✓ Why Go:
Great for genre hoppers and collectors hunting colored variants and limited pressings tied to film and games.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekday evenings for an unrushed browse; Saturdays for buzzy new-release energy.
✓ Insider Tip:
Peep the soundtrack section—cult films often hide exclusive or small-run editions.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Fans appreciate the offbeat selections and friendly staff who happily cross-recommend music and comics.
8. Eavesdrop
Greenpoint hi-fi listening bar where meticulous sound, a deep vinyl library, and low-light ambience turn records into a communal ritual.
✓ Why Go:
For record lovers, it’s a masterclass in how great systems make familiar albums feel revelatory.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early evening for a seat and focused listening; late night for a cozier, nightcap vibe.
✓ Insider Tip:
Check the nightly programming—guest selectors and theme nights often highlight rare LPs on wax.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors rave about the sound quality and considerate atmosphere that prioritizes listening over chatter.
9. Public Records
Gowanus venue and café built around audiophile-grade rooms, a record-forward bar program, and programming that spans ambient to club.
✓ Why Go:
Part listening library, part nightlife beacon—ideal for hearing rarities on a world-class system.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weeknights for seated listening sessions; weekends for peak-energy DJ sets and pop-ups.
✓ Insider Tip:
Arrive early to browse the merch and zines—limited runs vanish fast after sets.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Highly regarded for its pristine sound and thoughtful, music-first ethos.
10. Brooklyn Flea (DUMBO)
A weekend marketplace where rotating vendors unload crates of used LPs next to vintage hi-fi gear and music ephemera.
✓ Why Go:
It’s the serendipity play: you’ll stumble on bargains, bootlegs, and forgotten pressings you won’t see in boutiques.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Arrive at opening to scan the best vinyl before the crowds; spring through fall has the widest vendor mix.
✓ Insider Tip:
Bring cash and a tote; haggle politely on multiples—dealers often cut bundle prices.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Travelers enjoy the hunt and the skyline views, calling it a fun add-on to a DUMBO day.
