Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City for Record Store Fans near Wall Street
Top Things to Do in New York City for Record Store Fans near Wall Street
1. Downtown Music Gallery
A legendary Two Bridges basement packed with avant‑garde jazz, experimental, and global sounds, plus a famed section devoted to John Zorn’s Tzadik label. It’s a short walk or quick subway ride from Wall Street yet feels like a hidden sanctuary for deep listening.
✓ Why Go:
You’ll find titles you won’t see elsewhere in NYC—rare CDs, LPs, and staff picks that skew adventurous. Perfect for collectors who prize discovery over chart hits.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekdays 12–3 pm for quiet crate‑digging; early evening on in‑store performance nights if you want music with your browse.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask the staff for recommendations by label; their knowledge is encyclopedic and often leads to affordable, under‑the‑radar gems.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Beloved, idiosyncratic, and intensely curated—fans call it a pilgrimage stop for serious collectors.
2. A-1 Record Shop
An East Village institution with deep bins of funk, soul, disco, house 12-inches, hip‑hop, and jazz—where DJs and crate‑diggers flip side by side.
✓ Why Go:
It’s the city’s sweet spot for dance‑floor classics and sample‑ready cuts, with steady turnover and fair grades.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early afternoon on weekdays for space at the listening station and first crack at new arrivals.
✓ Insider Tip:
Scan the just‑in wall first, then the under‑bin cheapies; follow their social for drop alerts before you head over from FiDi.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Consistently praised for selection and vibe—many call it their go‑to for DJ staples.
3. Stranded Records
The NYC outpost of the revered West Coast label/store: tidy racks, smart reissues, and left‑field new arrivals spanning ambient, post‑punk, krautrock, and jazz.
✓ Why Go:
For a curated, no‑filler browse with excellent condition grading—ideal if you like your racks organized and your reissues well‑pressed.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late morning or early evening on weekdays to avoid weekend queues.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask about label reissues and the feature endcaps; staff recommendations often sell out quickly.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Fans love the clean curation and knowledgeable, friendly staff.
4. Limited To One Record Store
A collector’s basement boutique specializing in rare and limited pressings across punk, indie, hip‑hop, and 90s alt—curated by a husband‑and‑wife team.
✓ Why Go:
If you chase colored variants, signed editions, and hard‑to‑find 7-inches, this is where grails surface.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Afternoons Tuesday–Sunday; arrive early after opening for the freshest trade‑ins.
✓ Insider Tip:
Follow their Instagram before your visit; posts often preview drops that move fast.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Collectors rave about unique finds; prices reflect rarity but the curation saves time.
5. Ergot Records
A small, sunlit East Village shop with an esoteric, global‑leaning selection—electronic, disco, minimalism, experimental, and imports—plus occasional in‑stores.
✓ Why Go:
Great for discovering labels and artists beyond the mainstream at fair prices.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekdays late afternoon or Friday/Saturday evenings when hours run later.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask the owner for recommendations by mood or tempo; you’ll leave with something unexpected that fits your taste.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Widely praised for adventurous curation and friendly guidance.
6. Village Revival Records
Labyrinthine Greenwich Village stacks where you can lose an hour fast—rock, jazz, global, soundtracks, CDs, cassettes, and surprises tucked everywhere.
✓ Why Go:
Massive selection and old‑school Village character, with staff who’ll help you track down that elusive title.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late morning to mid‑afternoon before the evening crowd flows in.
✓ Insider Tip:
Bring your want list; staff can point you to sections you might miss on a first pass.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Chaotic in the best way—diggers celebrate the serendipity and personality.
7. Record Runner
A tiny West Village gem known for imports, pop, and collectibles—steps from the iconic Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan cover location.
✓ Why Go:
For Japanese pressings, picture discs, and 80s/90s pop rarities you won’t stumble on elsewhere.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early afternoon (after opening) for a relaxed browse in the small space.
✓ Insider Tip:
After shopping, walk to Jones St & W 4th for the classic Dylan album‑cover photo op.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Small but distinctive; fans of imports and pop collectibles speak highly of the finds.
8. In Living Stereo
Audiophile haven in NoHo pairing a serious selection of new/used vinyl with hi‑fi demo rooms—ideal for upgrading your turntable or dialing in your home listening.
✓ Why Go:
Hear your favorite records on high‑end rigs before you buy, then take home both music and better sound.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Thursday–Saturday by appointment or call ahead for demo room availability.
✓ Insider Tip:
Bring a familiar LP to audition gear—nothing reveals upgrades like a record you know inside out.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Staff are praised as patient, expert, and never pushy—great for first‑time hi‑fi buyers and veterans alike.
9. Tokyo Record Bar
A subterranean listening‑room izakaya where guests help pick the vinyl playlist from a printed ‘record menu,’ played on a serious sound system.
✓ Why Go:
It merges crate‑digger culture with dinner—perfect post‑shopping ritual that keeps the focus on albums.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early evening seatings on weeknights; reserve ahead.
✓ Insider Tip:
Stop by the upstairs cocktail bar before your seating and jot down your song choice early to improve your odds.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Playful, music‑first dining; visitors love curating the soundtrack with friends.
10. The Django
A vaulted, brick‑walled jazz club beneath The Roxy Hotel in Tribeca—decadent atmosphere, Meyer Sound system, and top‑tier bands nightly.
✓ Why Go:
A short hop from the Financial District, it’s a cinematic way to end a vinyl‑hunting day with live, analog‑rich energy.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weeknights for easier tables; late sets feel extra intimate.
✓ Insider Tip:
Reserve in advance and request a seat centered to the stage for the best soundstage.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Atmospheric and transportive—guests praise the sound quality and lineup depth.
