Some people buy vinyl to listen to it. Others buy vinyl because it makes their apartments look like they have a “sound.” And then there are the true heads, the ones who treat finding a rare pressing like emotional catharsis.
These are the most niche, personality-heavy, beautifully specific record stores in NYC. Perfect for people who browse with deep concentration, judge silently, and always leave with something “you’ve probably never heard of.”
1. Generation Records — The Punk Survivor
210 Thompson St, New York, NY 10012
A Greenwich Village institution that still feels slightly dangerous in a good way. If your taste leans punk, metal, hardcore, or early-2000s indie heartbreak, this is where you go to feel alive. Packed bins, real heads behind the counter, and the kind of CDs you forgot existed but suddenly need.
2. Ergot Records — For the Experimentalists
32 E 2nd St, New York, NY 10003
Ergot is small, selective, and exactly the kind of spot where you accidentally spend two hours “just browsing.” Ambient, experimental, weird disco edits, field recordings, deep cuts, the kind of shop that rewards curiosity. If you’ve ever described music as “textural,” this is your church.
3. Stranded Records — The Curated Quiet One
218 E 5th St, New York, NY 10003
Stranded is tiny, tidy, and beautifully curated. Think international pressings, obscure rock reissues, and racks organized with the precision of someone who labels their cables. It’s calm, focused, and incredibly reliable for high-quality used vinyl.
4. Brooklyn Record Exchange — The Cool-Person Standard
87 Guernsey St, Brooklyn, NY 11222
A Greenpoint staple with a selection that leans indie, electronic, psych, and new arrivals that always feel fresh. Spacious enough to actually breathe while browsing, and curated enough that you never leave disappointed. The vibe is “I collect vinyl, but I also moisturize.”
5. Human Head Records — The Deep Dive Destination
289 Meserole St, Brooklyn, NY 11206
This is where the serious crate-diggers go. Endless used vinyl, rare gems hiding in unassuming bins, and that perfect balance of chaos and order that makes a dig feel like a quest. You don’t come here for something specific, you come here to let something find you.
Text by: Wika Soto-Hay
