Want to know where to find vinyl records in Brooklyn? We got you covered.
Here’s a fun fact: If you removed Brooklyn from NYC, it’d be the third most populated city in the United States. Yeah, we know. Get ready to blow some minds at your next dinner party.
What we mean here is that Brooklyn is more than just a limb of New York City. It’s a vibrant, exciting borough rich with history and culture. It’s birthed some of the most incredible art in the history of this country — dynamic painters, brilliant writers, and, of course, iconic musicians. As an ever-changing and evolving place, Brooklyn has been a hotbed of nearly every genre of music at one point or another throughout the last 50 years. Punk. Hip-hop. Metal. Indie. You name it, and it’s happened in Brooklyn, one way or another, so much so that the name “Brooklyn” is basically a cliche.
That energy has fostered an excellent and inspiring record store culture. Here, we attempt to name some of the best record stores in Brooklyn. Did we miss any vinyl record stores in Brooklyn? Please, don’t be shy, and let us know where you discover vinyl in Brooklyn.
Human Head
Why It’s One of the Best Record Stores in Brooklyn, NY
Human Head is a classic Brooklyn vibe. Located just off busy Graham Avenue in Bushwick, it’s an eclectic little joint run by real music heads. The crew is friendly and knowledgeable — avoiding the surly cliches of typical record store staff members — and happy to help you find whatever you want.
They’re also down to talk extensively about Brazilian funk. In fact, last time we were in there, we had a little chat with the owner who told us he has family in Brazil, so he regularly travels to South America, and that’s how he’s landed so many pristine Tim Maia records. Cool shop, cool staff, cool atmosphere — a rare combo.
Getting There
289 Meserole St.
Brooklyn, NY 11206
Face Records
Why It’s One of the Best Record Stores in Brooklyn, NY
Looking for obscure gems from around the globe? Look no further than Face Records in Williamsburg. Originally started in Tokyo in 1994, the Brooklyn location popped up a few years back. And boy, it’s a trip.
Here, you’ll find rare jazz, punk, and experimental records — however, the coolest part is that there’s a ton of Japanese pressings of American music. Want a Neil Young album pressed and released in Japan in 1987? Face Records is the spot. Also, the staff is super friendly and welcoming. They’ll show you around or let you dig in peace.
Getting There
176 Borinquen Place, Store 1L
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Fifth Avenue Record Shop
Why It’s One of the Best Record Stores in Brooklyn, NY
Fifth Avenue Record Shop has been a staple of the Park Slope community since 1996. It’s currently the oldest record store in Brooklyn, which is impressive considering how much the city and borough have changed over the last 30 years.
Here, you’ll find a tight little spot with friendly and helpful staff and a friendly dog on guard duty. If you’re looking for something a bit more old school, this is the spot — and as fellow vinyl enthusiasts, these are the places that you should support.
Getting There
436 5th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Superior Elevation
Why It’s One of the Best Record Stores in Brooklyn, NY
Fan of soul, funk, and R&B? Make the pilgrimage to Superior Elevation in Bushwick. Formerly located around the corner from the iconic McKibbin Lofts (IYKYK), this sick spot has a new location on Grand Street in East Williamsburg. It’s an ideal destination for DJs and collectors.
There’s a curated selection of hard-to-find vinyl and deep cuts — but the staff members aren’t jerks about it. They create a welcoming and laid-back vibe, striving to make their customers feel at home. Head there ASAP.
Getting There
616 Grand St.
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Black Gold Records
Why It’s One of the Best Record Stores in Brooklyn, NY
Records… and coffee… and antiques? Yeah, we don’t need to say much more, we know you’re in. Black Gold Records in Carroll Gardens is a holistic experience. Not only do they have an incredible selection of records — discover a lot of rare New York and New Jersey hardcore stuff alongside some iconic psychedelic music here on Court Street — but they roast globally respected coffee. You also might find a cool little antique hanging on the wall. It’s a collision of relevant ideas, a mish-mash of excellent taste curated by friendly and honest people.
Getting There
461 Court Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
Earwax Records
Why It’s One of the Best Record Stores in Brooklyn, NY
Looking for a record store in Williamsburg right off Bedford Avenue? Well, you’ve found it. Earwax Records is located on N 9th right off the Bedford L and has been around since 1999 — for good reason. Excellent curation and prices are staples for this iconic Brooklyn spot.
Here, you’ll find a treasure trove of new and used vinyl, CDs, cassettes, and books and magazines. Moreover, they have a great selection of restored vintage audio equipment. The knowledgeable staff will gladly help you find that King Crimson album.
Getting There
167 N 9th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Academy Record Annex
Why It’s One of the Best Record Stores in Brooklyn, NY
Academy Records is a staple of New York City record store culture. With one location in the East Village and one in Brooklyn, they have one of the largest selections of used vinyl in the city. The Brooklyn location used to be located in Williamsburg but moved and made home as a record store in Greenpoint a few years back.
Here, you’ll find a vibey crew of music lovers blasting rare NYC 70s funk as you browse a seemingly endless supply of rare vinyl. If you head to Academy Record Annex, prepare to lose your afternoon between the stacks.
Getting There
242 Banker St.
Brooklyn, NY 11222
Brooklyn Record Exchange
Why It’s One of the Best Record Stores in Brooklyn, NY
Formerly known as Co-op 87 Records, this Brooklyn record store has moved locations a couple of times over the years. Now, it’s settled back into its Greenpoint location on one of the most beautiful streets in the neighborhood.
At Brooklyn Record Exchange you’ll find an extensive collection of indie rock and psychedelia in a clean environment. With the sunshine pouring in through the windows on a tree-lined block, it doesn’t get much more cinematic than Brooklyn Record Exchange for music lovers.
Getting There
87 Guernsey St.
Brooklyn, NY 11222
Record Grouch
Why It’s One of the Best Record Stores in Brooklyn, NY
Don’t let the name fool ya. Record Grouch in Greenpoint is a hidden gem that serious collectors need to know about. This tiny storefront — and we mean tiny — is packed with rare and obscure vinyl, plus CDs, cassettes, and music-related books and zines. And run by very friendly people.
If you stop in, prepare to get lost in conversation about whatever obscure topic you want to talk about. An extremely well-curated selection. Also, there’s a second location that pops up in neighboring Williamsburg, so follow their Instagram to keep tabs on that.
Getting There
1986 Manhattan Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11222
Captured Tracks
Why It’s One of the Best Record Stores in Brooklyn, NY
Indie rock fans, look no further. Captured Tracks in Greenpoint is everything you could want in an indie rock record store. As a storefront for the label since 2008, they have a well-curated selection of new and used vinyl, plus CDs and cassettes.
It’s the kind of place you walk into that feels like someone’s dream has been realized — and we’d argue that there might not be a better vibe on planet earth than that feeling.
Getting There
195 Calyer Street
Brooklyn, NY 11222
The Thing
Why It’s One of the Best Record Stores in Brooklyn, NY
OK, The Thing isn’t technically a record store, but it’s an experience. One of the crazier thrift shops in Brooklyn, it has an extensive vinyl collection. Yeah, you gotta dig. And yeah, you might find something amazing that unfortunately has a big scratch across the grooves.
HOWEVER, there truly are treasures to be discovered. Spend some time surfing around and, honestly, who knows what you may discover. And if you come up empty, we bet you can find a cool vintage shirt to ease your pain.
Getting There
1001 Manhattan Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11222
Scorpion Records (Not Actually in Brooklyn But Close, So We’re Mentioning It)
Why It’s One of the Best Record Stores in Brooklyn, NY
OK, first things first, Scorpion Records is a record store in Ridgewood, Queens. Yes, it’s not Brooklyn. And yes, knowing how Borough rivalries work in NYC, they’re probably proudly not in Brooklyn.
That said, Ridgewood is very close to Brooklyn, so if you’re searching for the best record stores in Brooklyn, you can easily pop over to Queens to see this excellent shop. It only opened in the last couple of years, and apparently, it’s the former location of a bar named Scorpion. So the owners decided to keep the namesake. At the shop, they regularly host jazz nights, listening experiences, DJ classes, in-store concerts, and other heady events.
Head out to Scorpion Records and find rare jazz vinyl — alongside pretty much every Grateful Dead record ever pressed.
Getting There
792 Onderdonk Avenue
Queens, NY 11385
