5 East London record stores you need to visit
London is one of the great capital cities and cultural hubs of the world. It’s given us The Clash, Basement Jaxx, Pet Shop Boys and, ummm, East 17. But if you’re visiting London and you’re a vinyl lover, where can you top up your collection?
London is a big place, and there are dozens of record stores in the city worth checking out. But you can’t possibly visit them all, especially if you’re visiting on a short trip.
So in this article we’ll focus on some record stores in East London that are easily accessible from the centre, and can all be visited in a single afternoon (perhaps taking in a restorative pint along the way, hurrah!).
Let’s take a look at some of the best places to get your vinyl fix in East London.
Digging for vinyl at Flashback Records in Shoreditch
Where are we digging today?
There are many record stores in East London (more than we could possibly feature in one article!) but in this blog we’re focusing on record stores which are fairly close to the city centre.
If you’re visiting London, these stores are within easy reach. All of them are located quite close to each other, in the area around Shoreditch and Brick Lane.
So if you’re visiting London and you want to while away an afternoon, get the tube to Liverpool Street to dig up some gems. And as a bonus, you’ll be walking around one of the more interesting neighbourhoods in London.
Here’s a handy map to show you where you’re going:
Map of the record shops around Shoreditch & Brick Lane
1. Friday Vinyl Market at Old Spitalfields Market
This vinyl market happens every second Friday under the cover of the lively Old Spitalfields Market, on the edge of the City of London. Dozens of sellers set up their stalls here, and some have listening stations too so you can listen before you buy.
Grab a coffee from Climpsons and some tasty street food, and have a browse of the stalls.
You’ll find it hard to walk away from here empty-handed!
When: Every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month, 10am-5pm.
https://oldspitalfieldsmarket.com/events/vinyl-market
Old Spitalfields Market, 16 Horner Square, London, E1 6EW
Digging at Old Spitalfields Market
Source: Instagram @oldspitalfieldsmarket
2. Rough Trade East
Rough Trade is the original East London record store, still holding down its place in the Truman Brewery retail and business complex (but which is sadly threatened by the massive redevelopment plans of its owners).
They cater for most tastes. There’s a sizeable dance and electronic section too and a cafe for a quick pick-me-up.
The shop has live music events, so check their schedule online and plan ahead, you might catch a show.
Specialists in: everything, really.
Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Ln, London E1 6QL
The veritable Rough Trade East
Source: Instagram @roughtradeeast
3. Love Vinyl
Love Vinyl is a record shop in the heart of East London specialising in jazz, funk, soul, disco and house - both new and second-hand.
They also sell online. Check out their website for a decent array of underground vinyl that you need in your life.
https://www.instagram.com/lovevinyllondon/
https://www.facebook.com/lovevinyllondon
Specialists in: jazz, funk, soul, disco, house.
Nearest tube: Hoxton
5 Pearson Street E2 8JD London
4. Flashback Records Shoreditch
Flashback is another classic second-hand London record shop. Lots of rock, pop, and there’s a whole basement to explore too. Definitely worth spending time crate-digging.
Specialists in: Just about everything.
131 Bethnal Green Rd, London
5. Vintage Vinyl (inside Brick Lane Vintage Market)
Enter the small door on Brick Lane and descend downstairs into the Vintage Market, and you’ll find this record stall, selling second-hand records across all genres: rock, pop, decades, dance.
Fun fact: I picked up Sade’s Diamond Life here.
Specialists in: Just about everything
85 Brick Ln, London E1 6QL
Further out
Got a little extra time, and want to venture further than Shoreditch & Brick Lane? Here are some more spots in East London that you should check out:
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Jelly Records (Clapton) – Basement, 22 Chatsworth Road. @jelly_records
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Dreamhouse (Leyton) – 177 Francis Road, London, E10 6NQ (mostly new vinyl)
That’s it
That’s it for your quick roundup of some of the best record shops in East London for a spot of crate-digging.
Top tip: If you’re visiting London, make sure you add a checked bag to your flight, to carry your records home in! ✈
And if you’re a local, get out there and support these record stores. They’re the lifeblood of the scene.
If you’ve got any suggestions, or questions about record stores in East London, please leave a comment below.
Happy digging! 👍
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