A guide to Vancouver’s best indie record stores

With the return of vinyl as the medium of choice for music lovers the world over, it has never been easier to find a copy of the latest must-have single, or your mom’s favourite album from when she was in high school. Shopping for vinyl in Vancouver is analogous in many ways to shopping for books; it’s a task easily completed online, but not without losing the fun of burrowing fingers into stacks and browsing for hours.

A guide to Vancouver’s best indie record stores
Grace McRae-Okine By

Neptoon Records

1
3561 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3N4

One of Vancouver’s staple record shops, Neptoon covers a wide range of musical tastes. Expect a solid back catalogue, new releases at very reasonable prices, and a bargain bin that can’t be beat! Bonus: Neptoon often hosts live in-store performances, from local solo gigs to acoustic shows by out of town bands before they play a venue later. Best of all, they’re free!

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Red Cat Records

2
4386 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3P9

Red Cat is a go-to for music lovers in Vancouver, and is the not-to-miss shop for out-of-town vinyl collectors. Used vinyl can be brought in for store credit, they’ve got the new vinyl you crave in stock, and no visit is complete without gripping a pair of concert tickets (sans heavy administrative fees). The guaranteed quality and breadth of their collection may mean the prices here are slightly higher than other shops, but it is well worth it.

Sikora's Classical Records

3
432 Hastings St W, Vancouver, BC V6B 1L1

For the specialty music lover, Sikora’s stocks the vastest collection of jazz and classical records (and CDs!) in the city. The well-organized collection is focused on classical tunes, and the incredibly knowledgeable staff help complement the shopping experience. If you’re a fan of jazz or classical music, expect to spend a couple hours getting lost in this roomy space.

Zulu Records

4
1972 W 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J 1M5

Nestled amongst the storefronts of West 4th, Zulu is a staple among vinyl-lovers in Vancouver, and for good reason. An extensive collection of used vinyl (and CDs up the whimsical twisting staircase) are all stocked at reasonable prices. The best part of the setup here are the listening stations, which allow you to take new artists for a spin before buying.

Beat Street New & Used Records

5
439 Hastings St W, Vancouver, BC V6B 1L4

If it’s beats you’re looking for, look no further than Beat Street. This Hastings Street shop stocks an incredible selection of everything from electronic tracks to techno, downbeat, dance, hip-hop and rap. You’ll also find a fat selection of 45’s and even graffiti supplies. Bonus: if you’re lucky, you may catch Canadian legend Nardwuar browsing the racks, as he’s a frequent shopper here.

Highlife Records & Music

6
1317 Commercial Dr Main, Vancouver, BC V5L 3X5

Take a stroll along Commercial Drive to find Highlife Records, Vancouver’s number one destination for an excellent selection of global and world music. Specialties include Latin, African, jazz, and rock records, but expect much more in stock than just those genres. Staff here are highly knowledgeable and very friendly, so show up with an open and mind and prepare to leave with a few new gems for your turntable.

More from Grace McRae-Okine Grace McRae-Okine
With an addiction to all things internet and a passion for live music, you'll find Grace wherever both the Wi-Fi and the coffee are strong. Her ideal day in Vancouver includes taking in foreign horror films on Netflix, searching for the perfect gin cocktail in Gastown, and nodding along at underground concerts 'till the wee hours. When she isn't hanging out with her Bengal cat Basil, she's promoting shows for Timbre Concerts.
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