Experiences
The 6 Best Record Shops in London
Brick Lane crate-digging, Soho dance specialists and a Golborne Road jazz institution: London's best record shops.
In short: our top picks are Rough Trade East, Sounds of the Universe and Phonica Records. 6 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
London’s record shops survived the download years and came out the other side thriving. Rough Trade East is the big Brick Lane destination with its own stage; Soho keeps a tight cluster of specialists like Phonica for dance and Sounds of the Universe for global beats; Honest Jon’s has sold jazz off Golborne Road since 1974. Crate-digging is the whole point, so leave time. Cash still helps at the smaller shops, and ask the staff, they always know.
| Place | Area |
|---|---|
| Rough Trade East | Brick Lane |
| Sounds of the Universe | Soho |
| Phonica Records | Soho |
| Honest Jon's | Ladbroke Grove |
| Sister Ray | Soho |
| Flashback Records | Islington |
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Editor’s choice
Rough Trade East
Why we pick itThe largest Rough Trade, inside the Old Truman Brewery, every genre plus a coffee bar and a stage for gigs.
flagship record store
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Sounds of the Universe
Why we pick itA Soho institution for soul, funk, reggae and global beats, the shop arm of the Soul Jazz label.
global sounds specialist
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Phonica Records
Why we pick itThe West End's leading independent for dance music, from rare soul and disco to techno and dubstep.
dance music specialist
-
Honest Jon's
Why we pick itSelling jazz, reggae and global music from a former Golborne Road butcher's shop since 1974.
jazz and global records
-
Sister Ray
Why we pick itA Berwick Street stalwart from the days when the street was the beating heart of London vinyl.
independent record shop
-
Flashback Records
Why we pick itA well-stocked shop for second-hand and new vinyl, with branches in Islington, Crouch End and Shoreditch.
second-hand vinyl
Before you book
Soho holds the densest run, with Phonica, Sounds of the Universe and Sister Ray walkable in ten minutes; the East End adds Rough Trade and Flashback. Weekends are liveliest, and Rough Trade East regularly hosts in-store gigs and signings worth timing a visit around. Most shops buy as well as sell, so bring anything you want to trade.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Rough Trade East is our editor's choice: The largest Rough Trade, inside the Old Truman Brewery, every genre plus a coffee bar and a stage for gigs. Rough Trade East, Sounds of the Universe and Phonica Records lead the guide, with 6 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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