Record stores in Sydney are more than just places to acquire vinyl. Yes, it may be easier to buy an album online but as the city becomes increasingly consumed by corporate enterprises and soul-deadening acai chains, someone’s got to keep the older, weirder, underground pockets of the community alive. It’s also just more fun to do things in real life.
In the same way that searching for a movie at Blockbuster was the best, yet selecting one on Netflix is boring and tedious, a Spotify playlist really can’t compare to digging through the crates at a record shop while trying to get the owner to compliment your taste.
But where are the best places to find your new or secondhand wax? Here are our recommendations for record shops in Sydney’s CBD, inner west and beyond.
Sydney’s best vinyl record stores
Repressed Records, Newtown
Repressed is an inner-west Sydney institution that’s been in operation since 2002. After mega-merchandiser JB Hi-Fi moved into the neighbourhood of their old location and took the bulk of Repressed’s customers, the record store doubled down on its niche appeal.
They became even more committed to zines, DIY, and providing a small, dedicated home to the underground bands and outsider music of Australia. Today Repressed operates out of a small, unflashy record store in Newtown, and focuses on sustaining the city’s punk and alternative scene.
Address: 413 King St, Newtown NSW 2042
Red Eye Records, Sydney CBD
From a sheer size perspective, Red Eye Records is the dominant player on this list.
It’s not just the largest independent record store in Sydney CBD — it’s the biggest in the entire country. The shop began back in 1981 and spawned a record label of the same name, although with different management. A venture of this scale doesn’t only sell vinyl: you can also find books, fan merch, posters, and DVDs.
Whether you’re searching for the newest Taylor Swift release, a rare out-of-print album, or the occasional free live music event, Red Eye is resourced to connect you with basically whatever you’re seeking.
Address: 143 York St, Sydney NSW 2000
The Record Store, Surry Hills
Anointing yourself as “the” record store is a bold move, but we admire it.
Whether you have vinyl you want to sell, or vinyl you want to purchase, this record store in Surry Hills has you covered. They buy second-hand music in bulk instead of just snatching up the good finds – which means that if you’re selling, you won’t be stuck heading home with a box full of un-purchased records. And if you’re buying, there’s a huge inventory for you to comb through.
It’s known for its genre diversity and is considered one of the better electronic record stores in Sydney. The Record Store will also de-warp bent records for $10 and sells turntables, styli, and other vinyl accessories.
Address: 34/277 Crown St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Egg Records, Newtown
We cannot ignore Egg Records, which has been a pillar in the Sydney music scene for decades.
This Newtown record store is in the same brick-and-mortar where it started 24 years ago. If you like digging through the crates for obscure second-hand jazz and rock records, this is the right place. It’s known for a diverse supply and feels a little like you just walked into the house of a guy with eclectic music tastes and he’s letting you buy his stuff — in a good way.
While you’re there, you can also pick up Stuart Coupe’s memoir, an ABBA cassette tape, and a tote bag that declares your patronage with their egg-shaped logo.
Address: 3 Wilson St, Newtown NSW 2042
Resist Records, Marrickville
Resist Records is a hardcore/ punk/ alternative record store in Marrickville that wears many hats — it’s part retail, part record label, part touring and management company. It was started in the 90s by Scott MacFayden, who gained prominence as the lead singer of Toe to Toe, one of Australia’s top hardcore bands of the era.
Today, Resist releases music from artists like Polaris, and distributes music from bands like The Gaslight Anthem and Against Me! to the Australian market. Its retail store has a healthy selection of vinyl, merch, and zines, including niche and imported releases with relatively un-jacked-up prices.
Address: 38 Chapel St, Marrickville NSW 2204
Radio Free Alice, Darlinghurst
Radio Free Alice has slightly eccentric, curiosity shop vibes, and features a wide range of music alongside artsy films, photo books, and a curated literature selection.
When you walk in, a tiny Nick Cave angel hands from the ceiling and that’s kind of the mood. It’s conveniently located — it’s a short walk to the record store from Paddington, and right by beloved Darlington institutions like Darlo Bar. It was started by James Tsai, who studied film and worked for Title Music and is now perfectly suited to help you sort through the inventory.
We recommend heading to Radio Free Alice, talking to James about your hard-to-please creative friend’s upcoming birthday for 45 minutes, and leaving with a ballerina marionette, Jean Luc Goddard poster, or a vintage David Behrman vinyl that will change their life — or at least, make it a little more interesting.
Address: 134A Darlinghurst Rd, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Utopia Records, Sydney CBD
If you dream of a world where literally everyone is obsessed with heavy metal, this could be your utopia. Whatever the manifestation of your fanship may be — Alice Cooper CDs, an enormous Iron Maiden memorabilia connection, a baby onesie that reads “Mommy’s little metal head” – this hard rock and metal record store specialises in the genre like no other store in Australia.
Address: Lower Ground Floor/511 Kent Street, Bathurst St, Sydney NSW 2000
Sandy’s Music, Dee Why
Not only is Sandy’s among the oldest vinyl shops in Sydney (and for that matter, Australia), but it’s also stayed in the same location the whole time — a little storefront just a short walk from the beach.
Sandy’s Music has been selling vinyl and CDs in Dee Why since it was opened 48 years ago by Nigel and Jenny Fry. According to the Frys, their business is largely sustained by the younger generation who have struck up an interest in vintage vinyl albums, and come looking for The Beatles or Rolling Stones on vinyl.
There’s a reason the shop lasted so long — it’s become a local favourite due to the reasonable prices and friendly staff.
Address: 870 Pittwater Rd, Dee Why NSW 2099
Glebe Record Fair, Glebe
This one isn’t exactly a permanent brick-and-mortar record shop, but Glebe Record Fair (which is run by the team behind Egg Records) is an important attraction for the vinyl-heads of Sydney to know about.
Distributors pack into the Peter Forsyth Auditorium, bringing their vinyl and CD collections for one day only. The Glebe Record Fair is held twice a year, in April and October, but if you missed those days, fear not — Sydney is full of similar events like the Newtown Record Fair and Viva La Vinyl.
Address: Francis Street Corner, Franklyn St, Glebe NSW 2037
Beatdisc Records, Parramatta
Western Sydney is a little starved of independent record stores, which are mostly located in the city or inner west – but one survivor remains. Beatdisc is the last independent record shop in the Parramatta area, but it’s a good one to have.
The shop is housed in a small, tucked-away space, which is occasionally converted into a tiny venue for live music. It’s been running since 1995 and has an incredible second-hand selection, as well as new releases. The owner is great at tracking down rare albums, and the online store delivers fast.
Address: 11/181 Church St, Parramatta NSW 2150
So, there you have it. There are plenty of quality record stores to visit IRL if you’re in the mood for some new tunes or just want to live your High Fidelity fantasy.
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