Looking for the best record shops in Toronto? Here’s your guide to finding vinyl records in Canada’s largest city.
Toronto is a place that glistens. Over the last few decades, it’s exploded — and what was once a somewhat sleepy city on Lake Ontario has transformed into an international hub of business and tech. Stroll down Yonge Street and witness a skyline packed with glass skyscrapers, a massively diverse population, and one of the most robust economies in North America. Not to mention its cultural exports, Drake and The Weeknd, are two of the highest selling musicians in the world over the last decade.
But between the glossy buildings and big banks remains a bustling arts community driven by eccentrics and weirdos of all ethnicities. The city has experienced dramatic change, but cultural beacons continue to pulse, helping foster a welcoming and warm environment for artists of all kinds. Just find your way to Grossman’s Tavern and chat with one of the regulars. We guarantee it’ll be a very memorable conversation.
The music scene is no different. From the pulsating heart of Kensington Market to the vibrant streets of Queen West, Toronto boasts brilliance across a diverse array of musical styles. And the record stores around the Greater Toronto Area reflect that as well.
Here, we provide a guide to Toronto’s best record stores. Get ready for an excellent weekend adventure.
Sonic Boom
Why It’s One of the Best Record Stores in Toronto, ON
If you’re looking for a “classic” record shop with a little bit of everything across all genres, find your way to Sonic Boom. Located on Spadina, it’s the kind of record store that still feels like 1998. Cop cool t-shirts, rare vinyl, used CDs and tapes, books, and maybe even a pair of socks with Prince’s face.
They’ve also got a great selection of vintage shirts. Plus, besides providing an eclectic selection of all types of memorabilia, the friendly staff will be happy to help you find your way through the store as much or as little as you need. They can tell you the best places to catch a concert in Toronto, too.
Getting There
215 Spadina Ave.
Toronto, ON M5T 2C7
Rotate This
Why It’s One of the Best Record Stores in Toronto, ON
God bless Rotate This. Located in the thick of it on Ossington, Rotate This is a staple of the Toronto music scene. Head there and cop the latest Taylor Swift release (hehe), but really, this is a place you want to do some digging. The store is clean and laid out very well, and their inventory is massive. It might even be the coolest record store in Toronto.
You can easily lose a few hours in the afternoon while accidentally finding a record for which you’ve searched forever. (Our personal experience was coming across an original pressing of Superwolf and nearly crapping our pants.) And after you finish your digging, celebrate your findings and enjoy a cheap beer at the dive bar next door.
Getting There
186 Ossington Ave.
Toronto, ON M6J 2Z7
Tiny Record Shop
Why It’s One of the Best Record Stores in Toronto, ON
Over on the east side, find a clean, fantastic little store called Tiny Record Shop. There’s no false advertising here — the space is narrow — but don’t get it twisted, the selection here is excellent. The staff has done a phenomenal job curating one of the finer selections of LPs in Toronto.
Step inside and be greeted by shelves lined with carefully selected records ranging from classics to emerging artists. Plus, it’s in a great area of town. Pick up a record you love and then walk east down Queen Street and grab a tasty cold brew at Jimmy’s or a beer at one of the local breweries.
Getting There
777 Queen St E
Toronto, ON M4M 1H5
Shortstack Records
Why It’s One of the Best Record Stores in Toronto, ON
There’s an understated cool that exists in Toronto, if you know where to look for it. Shortstack Records — an excellent little shop just right down the block from Trinity-Bellwoods Park — might only be open a few days a week, but this cozy shop quietly oozes character.
They offer a handpicked selection of vinyl gems that cater to discerning music lovers. But, of course, Shortstack also carries that Canadian charm. The staff is welcoming for visitors of all types, encouraging people to get lost in a welcoming ambiance. You’ll find a conversation starter at Shortstack. We guarantee it.
Getting There
1006 Dundas St W
Toronto, ON M6J 1W6
Cosmos Records
Why It’s One of the Best Record Stores in Toronto, ON
Toronto has one of the most diverse populations of any city in North America. That energy is reflected in Cosmos Records, an eclectic record store specializing in jazz, soul, hip-hop, and disco. In other words, if you’re looking for some rare cuts for your next DJ set, come here.
The friendly and welcoming staff can guide you across continents, showcasing underground Afrobeat records and other African styles. Cosmos Records lives up to its name, offering seasoned collectors and curious newcomers a well-curated and trippy shopping experience.
Getting There
607a Queen St W
Toronto, ON M5V 2B7
Kops Records
Why It’s One of the Best Record Stores in Toronto, ON
Kops Records is a legendary Toronto institution. Since the ‘70s, the iconic indie record store has been a destination for music enthusiasts of all kinds.
Here, you’ll find an extensive and diverse selection of records that will satisfy any music fan. They’re funny folks, too. Their Instagram bio recently read “In Taylor We Trust,” a sly nod to how the ol’ Swiftie family has been buying a lot of vinyl. (In case you don’t know, in 2022, 1 out of every 25 vinyl records purchased was a Taylor Swift album.)
Anyway, Kops is just a simple little cool shop. If you want a great classic record store experience — that’s in fact the oldest independent record store in Toronto — Kops is the spot.
Getting There
Kops at Queen
395 Queen St W
Toronto, M5V 2A5
Kops Danforth
209 Danforth Ave
Toronto, M4K 1N2
Dead Dog Records
Why It’s One of the Best Record Stores in Toronto, ON
Dead Dog Records is a hip and unpretentious record store in Toronto. Despite the, uh, somewhat odd name, the shop has a reputation for a laid-back atmosphere and a carefully curated selection. The shelves are lined with a wide range of genres, both new and used. It’s a great spot to just wander into off the street without much purpose, and you’ll for sure find something that you dig.
The staff is cool, too. They’ve got their finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the Toronto music scene — typically offering tickets for local shows and other cool shit. (When your indie record shop has multiple locations, it’s safe to say people in the city like what you do.) We recommend chatting the staff up about your favorite musician, and they’ll probably tell you something you didn’t know. Good vibes, good life.
Getting There
Dead Dog Records
1277 Bloor St W
Toronto, ON M6H 1N7
Dead Dog Records
568 Church St
Toronto, ON M4Y 2E3
Ric’s Recollections
Why It’s One of the Best Record Stores in Toronto, ON
Located in Mississauga, Ric’s Recollections isn’t technically in the city limits, but it’s undoubtedly one of the best record stores in the Greater Toronto Area.
Ric is an avid vinyl collector, and it shows in his shop. Here, you’ll find one of the best (if not the best) selections of used vinyl in Canada. He prides himself on providing an excellent selection full of records in excellent shape. Plus, Ric might be the friendliest and coolest guy in the Great White North. He’s always down to talk about whatever music you want, offering an unpretentious vibe truly for the love of it.
These types of shops are gems, and who knows how long they’ll be around, so make your pilgrimage to Ric’s while you still can.
Getting There
257 Lakeshore Rd E
Mississauga, ON L5G 1G8
Grasshopper Records
Why It’s One of Toronto’s Best Record Stores
Nestled just around the corner from Rotate This, Grasshopper Records is a low-key sanctuary for vinyl aficionados. It’s the kind of store that requires a bit of digging, but your efforts will be rewarded. Last time we were there, we spent an hour digging through boxes of CDs, and walked away with a couple dozen at an exceptional price. (Road trips in the car have been better since that day.)
The taste here leans underground and eclectic, so get ready to explore and ask questions to the friendly staff. Following your expedition into the vinyl deeps, hit Communist’s Daughter across the street for a celebratory beer.
Getting There
1164 Dundas St W
Toronto, ON M6J 1X4
BIG SHINY
Why It’s One of the Best Record Stores in Toronto, ON
A fairly young record shop, BIG SHINY is a tiny little shop that deals primarily in electronic music — the ideal kind of record store for DJs with excellent taste and lovers of progressive house music.
At one point, the shop was appointment only — we’re not sure if that’s still the case — but it’s the kind of elevated record shop we believe is the future. Plus, you can never be mad at a clean shop! As a record store located in Corso Italia, it’s a gem on the west side, a place you’re sure to find good music and good conversation.
Getting There
1215 St Clair Ave W Suite 4D
Toronto, ON M6E 1B5
Paradise Bound
Why It’s One of the Best Record Stores in Toronto, ON
We know this is a “best of” list, so all of these record shops are of the highest quality. But if we were to pick a favorite, it’d be Paradise Bound. Tucked away in the vibrant Kensington Market, it’s an extremely well-curated shop with an extremely great taste in jazz, soul, reggae, and funk. What’s more, though, is that on top of an incredible selection of vinyl, the shop specializes in obscure hanging Japanese scrolls.
We don’t know much about the details of it (we know we like it), so we’ll let the owner do the explaining. The point is — eclectic music and cool artwork, our favorite type of combo. After you finish, pop by Ronnie’s Local around the corner, our favorite bar in Toronto, and talk about the Grateful Dead with Paul. (He’s the cool bartender with a bigass beard, most likely wearing a, yup, Grateful Dead shirt.)
Getting There
270 Augusta Ave
Toronto, ON M5T 2L9
She Said Boom!
Why It’s One of Toronto’s Best Record Stores
If you haven’t gotten it by now, there are quite a few good record shops in Toronto. She Said Boom! stands out mainly to its excellent and extensive book selection. Here, you’ll find as many sick books as kickass records, both selections curated very well.
The shop has a vibe that kind of feels straight out of the ‘90s, a classic grungy and indie feel, and a staff with strong opinions about guitar tones. Prepare to spend more money than you expected — and to be happy to do so.
Getting There
She Said Boom!
378 College St
Toronto, ON M5T 1S6
She Said Boom!
393 Roncesvalles Ave
Toronto, ON M6R 2N1
Gord’s Back Room
Why It’s One of the Best Record Stores in Toronto, ON
Roncesvalles is such a very special Toronto neighborhood. In a city that’s very expensive, it remains affordable (in parts), making it a popular draw for artists and weirdos. Gord’s Back Room is a funky little record shop in the neighborhood. We’d describe it for you, but it might be best to quote the bio on their website:
I AM GORD AND THIS IS MY BACK ROOM
Gord’s Back Room, is a humble wee record shop located in the back room of the bong shop, “Smoke In The Water”, at 2227 Dundas Street West at Roncesvalle. We feature vintage vinyl, but also tape, cd and books. Gord’s got 40 years of record retail and buying experience at A&A’s, Cheapies and Vortex, amongst other cool Record retail and distributing outlets. We like to have fun. We love music.
You can call 647-348-0334 and ask the nice people in the bong shop if you can speak to Gord.
2227 Dundas Street West,
Toronto, ON M6R 1X6
Head through the nice bong shop toward the back.
Welp, see you there!
Getting There
2227 Dundas Street West,
Toronto, ON M6R 1X6
Neurotica Records
Why It’s One of the Best Record Stores in Toronto, ON
Secrets don’t make friends — but friends make secrets, ya know? So since you’re a friend of VinylMapper, here’s a secret spot. Neurotica Records is a gem of a record shop hidden in Little Italy.
The friendly staff is extremely knowledgeable and specializes in underground records — and they’ve been quietly serving Toronto with an excellent vinyl selection for almost two decades. If you want a real adventure, make your way to Neurotica Records, a true example of Toronto’s interesting outsider culture.
Getting There
567 College Street, Manning Ave
Toronto, ON M6G 3W9
Invisible City
Why It’s One of the Best Record Stores in Toronto, ON
Invisible City is a record store with supreme taste hidden around the corner from Kensington Market. It requires a bit of work to get there, but similar to BIG SHINY, this shop offers a bunch of rare and exciting collectibles focused on progressive house and electronic music.
The best kind of shop for DJs or collectors — probably because it’s owned by a DJ. Moreover, the shop acts as a record label, helping reissue cool and rare music from the past. Owner Greg Abugan is a leading voice in Toronto culture. He makes his shop worth the visit.
Getting There
222 Spadina Ave.
Unit C4
Toronto, ON M5T 3B3
