London is a city that has long been associated with music and the culture surrounding it.
With a rich history of musical innovation and a thriving contemporary scene, it is no surprise that London is home to some of the world’s largest and most iconic record stores.
From vinyl collectors to music enthusiasts, there is something for everyone in London’s top record stores.
In this article, we will explore the biggest and most popular record stores in London.
List of the biggest record stores in London:
- Rough Trade East
- Sister Ray
- Phonica Records
- Reckless Records
- Sounds of the Universe
- Flashback Records
Contents
1. Rough Trade East
Located in the vibrant area of Brick Lane, Rough Trade East is the largest of the Rough Trade stores in London.
Rough Trade East is part of the Rough Trade family of independent record stores, which was founded in 1976 in West London.
Spanning over 5,000 square feet, the store is a hub of activity for music lovers.
Rough Trade East is also home to a cafe and bar, where customers can relax and enjoy food and drinks while browsing through the store’s extensive selection of music and merchandise.
Contact info:
Tel: +44 20 7392 7788
Website: https://www.roughtrade.com/gb
Address: Old Truman Brewery 91, Brick Ln, London E1 6QL, United Kingdom
2. Sister Ray
Sister Ray is another iconic record store in London, located in the heart of Soho. Founded in 1987, it has become a must-visit destination for music lovers from all over the world.
The store stocks an extensive collection of both new releases and rare and hard-to-find titles, catering to the needs of music fans and collectors of all types.
Sister Ray is particularly well-known for its selection of indie and alternative music, with a large selection of releases from both established and up-and-coming artists in these genres.
In addition to selling music, Sister Ray also stocks a range of music-related merchandise, including t-shirts, posters, and other memorabilia.
Contact info:
Tel: +44 (0)207 734 3297
Email: info@sisterray.co.uk
Website: https://sisterray.co.uk/
Address: 75 Berwick St, Soho, London W1F 8TG
3. Phonica Records
Located in the heart of Covent Garden, Phonica Records is a hub of activity for music lovers in the city.
Phonica Records was opened in 2003 by a group of DJs and music enthusiasts who wanted to create a store that catered to the needs of DJs and producers, as well as music fans.
The store has an impressive selection of vinyl, including new releases and hard-to-find classics.
The store also hosts regular events and DJ sets, making it a hub of creativity and community for music enthusiasts.
Contact info:
Tel: +44 20 7025 6071
Email: customerservice@phonicarecords.com
Website: https://www.phonicarecords.com/
Address: 51 Poland Street, London W1F 7LZ
4. Reckless Records
With locations in Soho, Shoreditch, and Bethnal Green, Reckless Records is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to explore the vibrant music scene in London.
Reckless Records is known for its diverse and eclectic selection of music, as well as its knowledgeable staff who are happy to provide recommendations and help customers track down hard-to-find releases.
With an impressive selection of vinyl, CDs, and DVDs, Reckless Records is a destination for music lovers from all over the world.
The store also has a dedicated area for rare and collectible items, making it the perfect destination for serious collectors.
Contact info:
Tel: 020 7437 4271
Email: recklessrecordsuk@gmail.com
Website: https://reckless.co.uk/
Address: 30 Berwick St, London W1F 8RH, United Kingdom
5. Sounds of the Universe
Located in the vibrant area of Soho, Sounds of the Universe is a record store that is all about the experience.
The store was opened in 1997 by the founders of the Soul Jazz Records label, which specializes in reissuing rare and classic albums from the worlds of reggae, funk, and soul.
Sounds of the Universe also has a dedicated listening booth, allowing customers to preview records before making a purchase.
The store also hosts regular events and DJ sets, making it a hub of creativity and community for music lovers in the city.
Contact info:
Tel: 020 7734 3430
Email: info@soundsoftheuniverse.com
Website: https://soundsoftheuniverse.com/
Address: 7 Broadwick Street, Soho, London W1F 0DA
6. Flashback Records
With two locations in London, Flashback Records is a popular destination for music lovers in the city.
The first store was opened in Islington in 1997 and has since expanded to two other locations in Shoreditch and Crouch End.
The stores specialize in selling new and used vinyl records, CDs, and other music-related merchandise. They stock a wide variety of genres, including rock, pop, jazz, blues, funk, soul, and more.
Flashback Records is known for its knowledgeable staff and friendly atmosphere and is a popular destination for music lovers and collectors in London.
In addition to selling music, Flashback Records also buys and trades used records and CDs.
They also host in-store events and live performances from local and touring musicians.
Flashback Records has become a staple of London’s independent music scene and continues to be a beloved institution for music fans in the city.
Contact info:
Tel: 020 3780 1900
Email: info@flashback.co.uk
Website: https://flashback.co.uk/
Address: 131 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, London, E2 7DG