Austin’s best record stores will spin your head right round.
Austin may be experience for its lively music , but sometimes you just postulate to coil up in your own nursing home for a “ concert ” experience with the sound of crackling vinyl group . And , with Record Store Day ( April 22nd ) just around the quoin , there ’s no honorable way of life to observe the hipster vacation than visiting one of the metropolis ’s storied record emporiums . Whether splurge watchingDaisy Jones & The Sixhas you wanting to knock off a pre - loved copy of Fleetwood Mac’sRumours , or your Phoebe Bridgers compulsion means you demand to get your paw on the novel boygenius , our list of Austin ’s best record stores provides the goods .
Breakaway Records
SkyviewYou’ve believably seen your cool admirer already carrying around one of Breakaway ’s James Brown - emblazoned totes . And , consider us , the hip factor at this record store extends beyond merch offering . They have seriously hearty oblation of newfangled and used 45s , L-P , and tape , especially in the genres of soul , R&B , rock , and jazz . A true standout at this spotlight however has to be the wide-cut multifariousness of turntables , recipient , speaker system , and other accouterment . For those newbies just buy into vinyl hearing systems , Breakaway ’s learned stave lead your needle of needs down the right track .
End of an Ear
South ManchacaAsk most local instrumentalist what their favorite record store in the city is , and they will mention this South Austin gem . The sheer amount of new and used record , CDs , DVDs , and VHS this shop contains makes it perfect for the type of afternoon when you have the time and ambitiousness to browse . In addition to its miscellanea of formatting , there ’s another component which makes it so pop amongst creatives : the Mary Leontyne Price is always right . The lovely staff might spy what you ’re buy and give you recommendations of a standardized sort . While they boast a sundry purse of medicine , this locale will be a stand - out favourite for any metal - head , as they declare oneself one of the widest collections of the genre to be find in the integral res publica .
Big Henry’s Vinyl & Gifts
Waller Creek DistrictBig Henry ’s is another record workshop with a connection toAntone’s , and we mean that literallyandphysically . This spot is attach to the fabled venue and serve as the box office and positioning for Antone ’s merch . It ’s much more than just a glorified gift shop though , Big Henry ’s sign of the zodiac an fear - pep up collection of phonograph record steeped in the heavy tradition that specify the functioning on the adjacent leg . Their selection may come along little , but what can be base within the rack will pack a self-aggrandizing puncher for fans of blues , psyche , and jazz . The tunes may be delectable , but you may also score one for your taste buds with the shop ’s po’boys while you peruse .
Waterloo Records & Video
Market DistrictWhen it add up to vinyl radical in Bat City , there is no name more synonymous with the conception than Waterloo . This independent record store , which has been around since 1982 , is world - recognized among stereo - heads as a top - snick spot for chart - topping tunes . In addition to both newfangled and used vinyl , Waterloo has a charming appeal of CDs , DVDs , turntables , speaker unit , and various pop music cultivation tchotchkeleh . Keep an center out on Waterloo ’s social media for a docket of in - house performances and artist signings they host on a veritable basis .
Drinks Records
East Cesar ChavezEast Austin’sDrinks Loungeis already one of every Austinite ’s favorite spots to down a whiskey shot and take exception a stranger to a game of pocket billiards . Add in their taproom - neighboring , euphony shop , Drinks Records , and it ’s surprising that resident of the Live Music Capital of the World grab a cocktail anywhere else in the metropolis . The selection here lean more towards brisk - new vinyl , but their bit of used records continues to grow due to their generous purchasing policy for those customers looking to offload old album . Plus , a trip to Drinks Records makes the arrant pre - game for one of Drinks Lounge ’s notoriously fun euphony themed parties , like the Bowie Bash or the Bidi Bidi Birthday .
BLK Vinyl
HollyIf you ’re looking for a copy ofRubber Soulor an out - of - photographic print person record , East Austin ’s BLK Vinyl has got all your auditory desires covered . This workshop specialise in used vinyl , with a fussy focal point on the soda pop , psych , service department , and prog classic from the ’ 60s and ’ 70s . The music genre spectrum here runs broader than just that , though , as bin diggers can easy earth up a ’ 50 jazz staple or lounge record from the deep flock . Be sure to arrest out the back room for great deals , include vinyl you could score for 99 - cents a soda water .
Exploded Records
Hyde ParkMusic may feed the soul , but , at Exploded Records , you could get a little something extra for your stomach to go along with that vinyl group leverage . Exploded is located inside every health nut ’s favorite local concatenation , Juiceland . This imply you’re able to enjoy the sweet , sweet taste of the goober butter and blueberry bonanza drink alongside shopping for some sweet beat . The mix of electronic , articulatio coxae hop , psych , idle words , and funk records are carefully and thoughtfully curated . Whole sections consecrate to picks from Austin music experts , such as Soundfounder , the emcee of a pop electronic music show on local radio station KUTX .
Antone’s Record Shop
West CampusAssociated with iconicAustin amobarbital sodium music locale , Antone’s , this spot is a true stone for diehard audiophiles . While its namesake may have moved downtown , this record shop still resides in the same campus - contiguous localisation since 1987 . However , you do n’t need to be a University of Texas student to be a pupil of the Texas channel — this spot is specially notable for its stress on homegrown sounds , with an total section dedicated to Lone Star state artist .
Get your fingers ready to flip through stacks of vinyl.|Photo courtesy of Breakaway Records
Photo by Spencer Selvidge, courtesy of Waterloo Records
Photo courtesy of BLK Vinyl
