Rare Finds Record Stores

The world's largest independent record store, with massive locations in Hollywood, San Francisco, and Berkeley. Each store features over 100,000 items spanning new and used vinyl, CDs, DVDs, and more. Amoeba is known for its extensive collection across all genres, rare finds, and in-store performances from artists like Paul McCartney and the Flaming Lips. The Hollywood location serves as a cultural landmark with its massive 25,000 square-foot space full of musical treasures.

A Minneapolis institution since 1968, Electric Fetus was famously Prince's favorite record store, which he visited just days before his death. Despite its unusual name, the store offers an impeccable selection of new and used vinyl, CDs, and music accessories across 70,000 items. Jazz, hip-hop, blues, and world music fans are especially well served here. The store's relaxed atmosphere and knowledgeable staff (many who've been there for decades) make it a must-visit for any serious record collector in the Twin Cities.

Chicago's premier specialty record shop focusing on funk, soul, jazz, Brazilian, African, and disco music. Founded in 1996, Dusty Groove is widely considered the finest shop of its kind in the United States, offering meticulously curated selections of both common and incredibly rare vinyl. What began as an online-only operation evolved into a beloved brick-and-mortar store, though its website remains a crucial resource for collectors worldwide. The knowledgeable staff and thorough organization make it a paradise for cratediggers seeking hidden gems.

Though this legendary New York City record store closed its physical location in 2016 after 20 years, it lives on as an online retailer, mail-order service, and record label. During its heyday, Other Music was the epicenter of independent and experimental music in NYC, known for its carefully curated selection that often featured artists before they broke through to wider recognition. The store's knowledgeable staff and adventurous musical spirit made it a crucial hub for music discovery, with many artists citing the shop as a major influence on their careers.

Founded by musician Jack White of The White Stripes in 2009, Third Man Records combines a record store, performance venue, and recording studio in Nashville with additional locations in Detroit and London. The Nashville flagship features the Blue Room, the world's only live-to-acetate venue where performances are direct-cut to vinyl in real time. Other unique features include a vintage Voice-O-Graph recording booth where visitors can record their own vinyl and a Novelties Lounge showcasing unusual merchandise. The store specializes in Third Man label releases but also stocks carefully selected titles from other artists.

This no-frills East Village shop has been a cratedigger's paradise since 1996, specializing in hip-hop, jazz, funk, and dance music. The store's ceiling is covered with music posters, while its shelves are packed with high-quality used vinyl treasures. A1's reputation for stocking rare and hard-to-find records has attracted famous DJs and producers like DJ Premier, Pete Rock, and Lord Finesse. The knowledgeable staff has deep connections to New York's music scene, making this a crucial stop for serious collectors looking for those special records that rarely appear elsewhere.

A specialty record store dedicated exclusively to jazz vinyl, from classic Blue Note and Riverside pressings to avant-garde and spiritual jazz treasures. The shop organizes its inventory by sub-genre, making it easy to explore specific areas like hard bop, free jazz, and fusion. The knowledgeable staff includes musicians and serious collectors who can guide customers through the often complex world of jazz recordings, offering insights on artists, labels, and pressings. For jazz vinyl enthusiasts, this carefully curated shop offers one of the finest selections available anywhere.

Though primarily known as a record-of-the-month subscription service, Vinyl Me, Please opened a stunning flagship retail store in Denver in 2023. The shop showcases their exclusive pressings alongside carefully selected new releases and reissues. What sets VMP apart is their commitment to high-quality vinyl production, featuring custom color variants, deluxe packaging, and audiophile-grade pressings. The physical store extends this ethos with listening stations featuring high-end audio equipment, allowing customers to experience the superior sound quality before purchasing.

Operating in Melbourne, Australia since 1992, Goldmine Records has established itself as one of the country's premier destinations for vinyl collectors. The shop offers an extensive selection of new and secondhand records across all genres, with a particular focus on limited editions, audiophile pressings, and rarities. Their knowledgeable staff can help track down even the most obscure releases, while their innovative vinyl de-warping service has saved countless valuable records from the trash bin. The store's bright, spacious layout allows for comfortable browsing through their meticulously organized collection, making it a must-visit for any serious record collector in Australia.

Based in Melbourne with a second location in Brisbane, Dutch Vinyl claims to be Australia's largest online record store with over 30,000 titles in stock. The spacious brick-and-mortar shops offer an impressive selection of new and secondhand vinyl across all genres, with particular strength in jazz, soul, and audiophile pressings. The stores are known for their meticulous record grading and detailed descriptions, giving customers confidence when purchasing rare or expensive items. Dutch Vinyl also stocks a comprehensive range of record care products and high-quality inner and outer sleeves. Their knowledgeable staff can help track down even the most obscure releases, making it a favorite among serious Australian vinyl collectors.

Located in Reykjavik, Lucky Records has established itself as Iceland's premier vinyl destination, with over 40,000 new and used records in stock. The spacious shop offers deep selections across all genres, with particularly impressive collections of Icelandic music, international indie, and electronic records. The knowledgeable staff is happy to introduce visitors to Iceland's rich musical heritage, from classical compositions to the country's thriving indie and electronic scenes. During the Iceland Airwaves festival, the store becomes a hub for international music fans, often hosting intimate in-store performances by local and visiting artists.