LAST UPDATED MARCH 27, 2024 BY BRADY GOODMAN-WILLIAMS
Everything really does sound better on vinyl – and you can't change our minds.
LA's local record stores, both new and old alike, have gained a reputation for upholding the highest standard of retail music. Music wouldn't be what it is today without the record shop preservationists and the communities they've cultivated over the decades. Whether you're a new record player owner looking for a tangible way to find new music or a longtime collector who refuses to engage in the streaming era, we encourage you to visit these independent shops to pick up your next batch of albums.
Photo: Amoeba Music
6200 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
The most iconic record store in LA has officially moved locations to Hollywood & Vine and welcomes fans back with open arms. While we miss their old location on Sunset dearly, we've already warmed up to their new expansive digs. Amoeba is the closest thing you'll get to a vinyl megastore, but don't let the size fool you. Amoeba stocks up on freshly dropped albums and rare back-of-the-crate finds that you never thought would see the light of day again – and that's what keeps us coming back.
Photo: Visit Pasadena
805 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91101
Founded in 1956 by Leonard Gordon, Canterbury Records has withstood the test of time and Spotify. Stop by LA's oldest surviving record shop to explore their extensive catalogs and collections of CDs, movies, and, of course, records! They host one of the most impressive Record Store Day events in the country with more than 400 new (mostly limited edition, mostly vinyl) release each year split between two drops. Check out the official list here.
Photo: Fingerprints Music
420 E 4th St.
Long Beach, CA 90802
Fingerprints is a nationally-acclaimed, locally-focused record shop in Long Beach's East Village Arts District. They've got new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, and books plus regular live musical performances and listening events happening nearly every week. When it comes to keeping the format alive and thriving, Fingerprints is a heavy-weight champion.
Photo: The Record Parlour
6408 Selma Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Record shop by day, performance venue and bar by night – The Record Parlour is a music lover's paradise. The shop offers a vast array of albums, vintage audio gear, rare jukeboxes, posters, and lots of intriguing memorabilia. Browse through their impressive collection of vinyl which they collect from all corners of the world. Recently, The Record Parlour extracted 30,000+ records from an abandoned home in Malibu that used to host celebrity Lobster parties dating back to the 1920s. Now those records are heading back into circulation thanks to their expert team's excavation. Time to dig in!
Photo: Permanent Records Roadhouse
1906 Cypress Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90065
Part record shop, part bar, part music and comedy venue – Permanent Records Roadhouse has got everything you need under one roof. Their recently opened garage record store behind the Roadhouse is open from noon to midnight Wednesday through Saturday, so you can grab a midday drink and flick through fresh batches of albums till closing time. In between, you can hang out in their lovely outdoor patio space to get a bit of fresh air. PRR also buys used vinyl so bring your records in no matter what genre – no collection is too big or small.
Photo: Mike Spitz for Slate
2636 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91107
Poo-Bah Records is your go-to stop for vinyl, cassette tapes, and CDs from under-the-radar artists. Who needs a "Discover Weekly" playlist when you can dig through crates of deep-cut hip-hop and experimental records? Don’t be afraid to ask the employees for some tips – their impeccable taste in music is what brings them to work at this music staple which has been serving the Pasadena community since 1971.
Photo: Gimmie Gimme Records
5810 N Figueroa St.
Los Angeles, CA 90042
This NYC-transplant shop is located less than a five-minute walk from the L Line's Highland Park Station so you can stop by to browse their collection on your way back from work. Their curated collection offers 15,000-20,000 LPs and 12" singles covering a wide variety of genres including rock, folk, soul, hip-hop, punk, psych, country, jazz, blues, disco, Latin, and more.
Photo: Sick City Records
1381 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Sick City Records offers an amazing selection of limited-edition pressings, vintage rock shirts, and... haircuts? Yes, you read that correctly. This record store also doubles as a barber shop, so you can swing by for a fresh cut and to pick up some fresh records to add to your growing collection. We love a double-whammy scenario!
Photo: In Sheep's Clothing
436 N Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
In Sheep's Clothing is bringing analog culture to one of LA's most trend-driven corners – the Fairfax District. Tucked away in the sea of hype beast stores along this busy part of town is this little gem of a record shop. Stop by to discover classics and rarities from their online record collection IRL and also to enjoy their state-of-the-art hi-fi sound system at their listening bar. ISC hosts a ton of cool events so keep an eye on their page for new collabs and special Dj nights.
Photo: Mount Analog
2217 Hyperion Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
This record shop and bookstore in Silver Lake has had a huge impact on LA's underground music scene. Their highly-specific and eclectic stock of vinyl, cassettes, books, and other wares are a far cry from the oldy moldy sections at some of the other shops on this list (no disrespect we love you guys, too). Mount Analog also doubles as a management and artist representation agency so their events tend to draw industry insiders (wink, wink, nudge, nudge).
Photo: Ethan Dulaney for The Occidental
5123 1/2 York Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90042
Arroyo feels like the kind of shop that has been on the block for ages, but it was actually founded by long-time collector and musician Daniel Clodfelter during the pandemic. The shop specializes in local and international punk, indie, jazz, soul, rock, and pretty much any other genre you can think of. Clodfelter dreamed of owning a record shop since he was a kid and now that that dream is officially a reality let's help him keep the wheels spinning!
3149 Glendale Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90039
Located in the heart of Atwater Village, Jacknife Records and Tapes is a hole-in-the-wall record shop that you don't want to overlook. They're known for having used, rare, and new vinyl records, plus audio cassette tapes, CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, 8-tracks, and every other form of analog media your nostalgic heart craves! They've also got a sweet collection of vintage band tees and posters if you're looking to rep your favorite musicians on the daily.
Photo: Cosmic Vinyl
2149 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
High-quality vinyl, great coffee, and delicious vegan fare – this record shop is the embodiment of Echo Park. Cosmic Vinyl carries a wide variety of new and used records but they also have a well-curated selection of hi-fi gear and accessories that would impress even the most discerning audiophile. From dollar record bins to a curated collection of rare and vintage finds, Cosmic Vinyl has something for every music lover's budget. They also host a ton of live shows featuring local artists and their records which you can purchase on-site after their sets.
Photo: The Artform Studio
5611 N Figueroa St. Suite #2
Los Angeles, CA 90042
Buying records and getting haircuts under the same roof seems to be a running theme here and we're not mad about it! The Artform Studio's Record Boutique is expertly curated by record producer and composer Adrian Younge and his wife Sherry runs the hair and makeup studio that's attached. Together this creative couple has created a haven for other artists, industry professionals, and families alike to enjoy. Keep an eye on their Instagram page to see what events they've got coming up – in the past, they've hosted parties with Andra Day and Kamasi Washington as well as all-vinyl DJ nights.
Photo: Going Underground LA
356 1/2 E 2nd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
The renowned Bakersfield-based record shop now has a location in Little Tokyo! Stop by to buy, sell, and trade LPs, 45s, stereo equipment, local concert promotional items (posters, flyers, one-off recordings, etc.), and much more. Their brick-and-mortar spot is conveniently located across the street from the Little Tokyo Mall, so after stocking up on snacks from Nijiya, head over to Going Underground to pick up a few new albums while you're in the area.
Photo: Record Surplus
12436 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025
It's like a department store, but for records. With over 100,000 vinyl records and CDs, it would take you months to come through their massive collection. While size doesn't count for everything, we can assure you that Record Surplus does not skimp on quality. Their staff only seeks out mint-condition albums and prices them fairly so you don't end up $100 short with a scratchy record. You can also visit their sizable bargain section dubbed "The Attic" for $1 vinyl and CDs.
400 E 3rd Street
Long Beach, CA 90802
Nestled within Long Beach's vibrant "Record Row," Foot Work emerges as a beacon for dance music enthusiasts and vinyl lovers alike. Step into their thoughtfully designed space, specializing in house, techno, deep, minimal, progressive, tribal, trance, drum n bass, and every other electronic genre known to man. Browse through the curated collection of vinyl gems in an uncluttered environment, complemented by a comfy listening station and industry-standard DJ booth, surrounded by nightclub-quality sound and lighting. Join them bi-monthly for seasoned headline acts, with owner Dakin Auret setting the mood and warming up each dancefloor.
Whether you're spicing up your collection with new vinyl or on the hunt for a rare find,
chances are you can find exactly what you're looking for at one of these many shops.
See any of your favorites missing? Email us at [email protected] to share your picks!
