Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City for Record Store Fans in Williamsburg
Top Things to Do in New York City for Record Store Fans in Williamsburg
1. Earwax Records
Williamsburg’s veteran vinyl shop blends a tightly curated selection of new and used records with vintage hi‑fi gear. It’s compact, obsessive, and deeply local—exactly the kind of store where a staff pick sends you home with a newfound favorite.
✓ Why Go:
For 30+ years, Earwax has been the neighborhood’s vinyl conscience—great for rock, jazz, electronic, soundtracks, and affordable playback equipment.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekdays within the first hour after opening for fresh trade-ins and fewer crowds.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask about the latest hi‑fi arrivals (turntables, amps, cassette decks) and bring a want list—the team will pull sleepers from the back.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Locals praise the no‑filler selection and knowledgeable guidance; visitors call it a small shop with big taste.
2. Face Records NYC
Tokyo-born Face Records specializes in pristine Japanese pressings and global crates—city pop, jazz, boogie, reggae, and rarities—tucked on a quiet Southside block.
✓ Why Go:
Import-heavy bins and excellent condition grading make it a must for collectors chasing clean copies and Japanese editions.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Thu–Sun mid‑afternoon when new arrivals are rotated to the floor.
✓ Insider Tip:
If you’re after a title you don’t see, ask—staff often have back‑stock or can flag upcoming shipments from Japan.
✓ What Visitors Say:
“Immaculate vinyl and friendly staff” is the recurring refrain; many call it their favorite stop for city pop.
3. Superior Elevation Records
A digger’s den on Grand Street with deep used selections and dance‑music 12-inches, plus a neighborhood DJ school attached for turntable-curious visitors.
✓ Why Go:
Wide, fairly priced bins across soul, funk, latin, reggae, hip‑hop, house, disco, and techno—ideal for building a DJ‑friendly stack.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late afternoons for a relaxed flip and a clear shot at the new‑arrivals wall.
✓ Insider Tip:
Bring cash—deal-friendly for larger piles—and test anything at the listening stations before you buy.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Regulars love the steady flow of used gems and approachable, DJ‑savvy staff.
4. Brooklyn Flea Record Fair
A waterfront, open‑air record market where indie labels, shops, and collectors set up next to Smorgasburg. Expect rare pressings, label merch, and all‑day DJ sets.
✓ Why Go:
It concentrates NYC’s vinyl ecosystem in one place—great for scoring exclusives and meeting label folks.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Arrive at opening; the fair typically pops up on select spring and fall Saturdays. In 2025, the fall edition is slated for Saturday, September 20.
✓ Insider Tip:
Bring cash and a sturdy tote; sun rises over the park—shade and hydration help when you’re knee‑deep in crates.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Described as festive and friendly with strong digs and fair dealer pricing.
5. Please Tell Me
A cozy Japanese‑style vinyl listening bar pouring natural wines and cocktails while DJs spin eclectic sets—from R&B to Japanese jazz fusion—on an intimate, tuned system.
✓ Why Go:
It’s where crate‑diggers unwind: great sound, selectors with taste, and a scene that treats music like the main course.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Winyl Wednesdays for themed spins, or early evenings Thu–Sun for a seat near the sweet spot.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask the bar team which nights lean downtempo versus dancey; seating by the mains rewards patient listeners.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests call it intimate, sonic‑first, and unexpectedly refined for such a small room.
6. Mr. Melo
An approachable hi‑fi lounge helmed by music lifers—vinyl DJs, warm Klipsch speakers, and Greek‑leaning snacks with clever “compost cocktails.”
✓ Why Go:
A neighborhood hub for analog listening where you can catch record‑store takeovers and all‑vinyl nights without velvet‑rope vibes.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Wed–Sat after 8pm when the room shifts from loungey to lively.
✓ Insider Tip:
Stand centered between the mains for the best imaging; staff happily point out the room’s sonic sweet spot.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Welcoming and music‑obsessed; many note high value and zero gatekeeping.
7. Jolene Sound Room
A compact, design‑forward sound room on Bedford where selectors stretch out on a powerful system—some nights feel like a listening bar, others like a full‑tilt club.
✓ Why Go:
Audiophile dance programming in a small footprint—perfect for hearing deep cuts the way they’re meant to be heard.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late nights on weekends for peak‑energy sets; early slots suit focused listening.
✓ Insider Tip:
Check the calendar for vinyl‑only or label showcases—great for discovering new imprints to hunt at shops the next day.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Applauded for big sound and intimate scale; a favorite for heads chasing quality over hype.
8. Music Hall of Williamsburg
A 650‑cap room that consistently books buzzy artists across indie, electronic, and beyond—merch tables often include vinyl, posters, and limited tour pressings.
✓ Why Go:
You’ll catch tomorrow’s headliners up close; the room’s mix is reliably good for live recordings and audiophile ears.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekend headliners sell out; mid‑week shows are roomier and ideal for merch browsing.
✓ Insider Tip:
Sightlines on the mezzanine side platforms are excellent and less crowded.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Fans love the sound and artist curation—many claim their all‑time favorite NYC shows happened here.
9. Baby’s All Right
An indie‑scene incubator with a cozy stage, sharp bookings, and a back bar for post‑show hangs—expect limited 7-inches and LPs at the merch table.
✓ Why Go:
Intimate shows, adventurous programming, and frequent early/late double bills that let you stack artists in one night.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early shows for unhurried merch runs; late shows for rowdier energy.
✓ Insider Tip:
Post‑up near the back for quick bar access between sets—and check the calendar for album‑release nights with exclusive vinyl.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Beloved for breaking artists and keeping tickets affordable; the vibes are quintessentially Williamsburg.
10. Brooklyn Bowl
Part live venue, part bowling alley—see a band, then roll frames under disco lights. Touring acts often bring vinyl to the merch counter.
✓ Why Go:
A singular Williamsburg night out that blends music culture with play—great for groups of record‑loving friends.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Midweek shows for easier lane access; weekend afternoons if you want bowling first, concert second.
✓ Insider Tip:
Aim for a lane with a clear stage view and arrive early—prime lanes go fast when doors open.
✓ What Visitors Say:
High‑energy, nostalgic, and uniquely Brooklyn; many call it their most fun concert format in the city.
