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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Manchester Visitor Guides

Manchester Restaurant Deals

Manchester's restaurants are bending over backwards to create deals that take the sting out of eating out. Here are the best of the bunch for January.

Bars & Pubs

The best new bars in Manchester, plus some old favourites for good measure.

Vegan and Vegetarian Food

Whether you’re a proud vegan or merely curious, let us guide you towards the best vegan food in Manchester for Veganuary.

Sunday Roasts in Manchester

Looking for the finest roast dinners in Manchester? Look no further. We've picked out the very best Sunday dinners in the city.

UNITOM bookshop
Bookshops in Manchester

Manchester is a UNESCO City of Literature, so of course there are a few go-tos for books. Read our guide to discover the best places to pick them up.

Spas in the North West

If you find yourself in the North West of England looking for a spa day, look no further, check out our guide featuring our favourite spots.

Image by Jonathan Schofield.
Spotlight on

Walking Tours in Manchester by Jonathan Schofield

Presenting the best walking tours in Manchester for history buffs, culture enthusiasts, and those looking to scratch beneath the surface of the city.

Take me there

Culture Guides

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

It's busy month across the cinemas of the north as Halloween programming leads into two of the region's biggest film festivals.

Hofesh Shechter - Theatre of Dreams at Lowry
Theatre in the North

Theatre this month bursts with contrasts - from bold new writing and Black History Month highlights to contemporary arts and reimagined classics.

Poet Helen Mort.
Literature Events in the North

One to add to your TBR pile, our latest round-up is a bumper edition and features some amazing events in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and beyond...

Music in the North

From New York’s experimental underground to the most exciting sounds coming from local scenes, we're lining up a noisy autumn of gigs.

A white mattress is burning in a black rocky landscape.
Exhibitions in the North

Galleries in the North are far from spooky this October - instead you'll find tactile sculptures, plant magic and curatorial experiments.