The best record stores in New York
Ranked by real customers — rating weighted by review volume across 32,000 Google reviews. Only shops with 25+ reviews qualify. Updated 2026.
#1 Record Archive
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,183 reviews · Rochester, NY
Vintage vinyl specialists with new releases, a backroom lounge, and live music stages, plus event space.
“Top-notch retail record store with eclectic items which also has bands play every Wednesday night. They have an excellent liquor/beer/wine selection to help you get your groove on.…” — Ajmdf
#2 Rough Trade Above
4.5 ★★★★★ 2,613 reviews · New York, NY
Venerable independent record store for obscure & mainstream CDs & vinyl, plus live music & a bar.
“A decent sized record shop with a selection of vinyls that have been carefully curated. You can tell that a lot of thought was put behind selecting which records to include in Roug…” — Alex
#3 Sound Go Round
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,204 reviews · Vestal, NY
“The comic tour has taken me home to New York!! Sound Go Round has alot more than just comics!! If you love records and old school classic video games than this is the place for you…” — Andy
#4 Darkside Records
4.7 ★★★★★ 858 reviews · Poughkeepsie, NY
Cool and welcoming, independent music and video store selling new and used records, CDs, DVDs and more.
“They just moved to a new location and it is stunning! The new location looks vibrant! I love all the records everywhere and upstairs on the second floor where their CDs are and it …” — Jake
#5 Generation Records
4.5 ★★★★★ 959 reviews · New York, NY
Fixture for CDs & vinyl with a strong punk & metal selection plus tees, posters, DVDS & more.
“As a vinyl lover from Asia, visiting Generation Records felt like stepping into paradise. It’s hard to find such a well-stocked collection of American pop vinyls — even in cities l…” — Josh
#6 Looney Tunes Record Store
4.7 ★★★★★ 704 reviews · West Babylon, NY
New and vintage vinyl LPs and CDs in a family-owned shop featuring live music and signing events.
“It's truly a hidden gem for all vinyl music lovers. I've purchased three players, including the one in the photo. The candles & Bowie vinyl were purchased there, too. And meeting C…” — Dani
#7 A-1 Record Shop
4.6 ★★★★★ 804 reviews · New York, NY
Funky, cozy destination to buy, sell, or trade vintage vinyl records of all genres.
“Maybe the best shop I know of in NYC. I’ve visited 3 times & have always walked out with a stacked tote bag. A-1 has a high volume of inventory that seems to cycle fast.” — Edward
#8 Early Owego Antique Center (formerly J.J. Newberry Co.)
4.6 ★★★★★ 719 reviews · Owego, NY
Large shop for antiques (clothing, housewares, furniture, etc.) sold by multiple vendors.
“Nice place to plunder through and find treasures. We spent about an hour here and found several items we could not live without. There is not a lot of parking. There are a few slan…” — Jill
#9 Music Matters Record Store
4.9 ★★★★★ 459 reviews · Niagara Falls, NY
New and used albums spanning classic rock to hip-hop across genres for sale, plus VHS tapes.
“Don’t let the quaint outdoor facade fool you, Music Matters is a vast jewel of great finds and the owner Rob is also a great curator. No genres sections to confound and limit you..…” — Steven
#10 For The Record
4.9 ★★★★★ 453 reviews · Brooklyn, NY
Vinyl shop and coffeehouse serving roasted beans as well as pastries and waffles, plus occasional events.
“This is a hidden gem, really captures the spirit of Greenpoint. It is very trendy, cute and community based— I would highly recommend. I like going here to work from home— big tabl…” — Aine