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Record Shops in Manchester

Johnny James, Managing Editor

With vinyl now officially outselling CDs for the first time since 1986, those glossy black discs, once on the brink of obsolescence, are enjoying an unprecedented second life. So are independent record stores. A whole new wave of music fans now look forward to weekends spent thumbing through records, eyeing cover art in its full glory, and potentially stumbling across rare treasures.

Manchester, it just so happens, has some of the best record stores in the country. From electronic haven Eastern Bloc to eclectic treasure trove Vinyl Exchange to bastion of alternative music, Piccadilly Records, the city is home to some truly special independent retailers. Here are some of our favourites.

Our top picks

Eastern Bloc Records

Eastern Bloc Records, 5A Stevenson Square, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 1DN - Visit now

Eastern Bloc Records is one for ‘the true vinyl purist’. A regular haunt for the city’s DJs, they specialise in electronic music, host in-store events, and serve up food and drinks throughout the day and night.

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Vinyl Exchange

Vinyl Exchange, 18 Oldham Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 1JN - Visit now

Vinyl Exchange, the north-west’s largest seller and buyer of rare and second-hand records, holds an impressive collection of second-hand gems and new releases on vinyl and CD.

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Piccadilly Records

Piccadilly Records, 53 Oldham Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 1JR - Visit now

Piccadilly Records, the jewel in the crown of Oldham Street, prides itself on friendly, helpful service and stocking an across-the-board variety of genres from indie, disco, funk, jazz, house, Balearic, psych and everything in-between on both vinyl and CD.

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Image of Piccadilly Records on Manchester's Oldham Street
Ben Williams

Vinyl Revival

Vinyl Revival, 5 Hilton St, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 1LP - Visit now

Champions of music made in Manchester, Vinyl Revival specialise sounds of the city from the 1950s to the present day.

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Vinyl Resting Place

Vinyl Resting Place, 3rd Floor Afflecks Palace, 52 Church Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 1PW

A dream for crate-diggers with an eclectic taste, Vinyl Resting Place is home to cherry-picked treasures from across the genre spectrum.

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Kingbee Records

Kingbee Records, 519 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 0UF - Visit now

Chorlton’s Kingbee Records has been a firm fixture on the maps of Mancunian record collectors since 1987.

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Where to go in Manchester

Image of the outside of Altogether Otherwise at night with people inside
Manchester
Event venue
Altogether Otherwise

Altogether Otherwise is a haven of activity where all are encouraged to make, do, dance, read and enjoy pursuing creativity with no pressure.

Manchester
Shop
House of Books & Friends

Playing a powerful role in the community, this venue functions as a bookshop, café and place to meet and chat with likeminded individuals.

Manchester
Shop
Bags of Flavour

Bags of Flavour is the Northern Quarter’s answer to high end vintage with high quality exclusive garments and accessories.

Altrincham
Shop
IDAHO

Every piece in IDAHO has something special and will guarantee to make your homes, offices and wardrobes feel a little more inspiring.

Manchester
Shop
Want Not Waste

Want Not Waste is a student-run, not-for-profit zero waste shop operating out of Academy 1 at the University of Manchester Students’ Union.

Ancoats
Shop
Ancoats General Store

Ancoats General Store serves the local community as a sustainability-focused convenience store stocking craft products, locally-sourced wares and top tier vegan produce.

Urmston
Shop
Goodness Zero Waste

On a mission to help making a difference more convenient, Urmston’s Goodness Zero Waste is a great spot to shop sustainably for food, beauty and household products.

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