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Spillers Cardiff
Spillers record shop in Cardiff, Wales. Photograph: Katherine Rose for the Observer Photograph: Katherine Rose for the Observer
Spillers record shop in Cardiff, Wales. Photograph: Katherine Rose for the Observer Photograph: Katherine Rose for the Observer

10 of the best indie records shops around the world: readers’ tips

This article is more than 9 years old

Vinyl is not dead! From reggae in Iceland to a backstreet in Malvern, readers pick their favourite independent record shops, where you’re encouraged to listen, learn and love all music


To add a tip for next week and be in with a chance of winning a £200 Hotels.com voucher, go to GuardianWitness

Winning tip: Spillers, Cardiff

Founded in 1894, Spillers claims to be the oldest record shop in the world. For locals, it is a legendary store, and even today it has a vast variety of music that could keep you in there for hours. It still has the same charm and personal, friendly service that has made it a landmark for music lovers of all ages and backgrounds.
31 Morgan Arcade,
spillersrecords.co.uk
IcedBanana

UK

Carnival Records, Malvern, Worcestershire

Carnival records
Photograph: pr

More than just a shop, Carnival Records is also a place for vinyl junkies to meet over coffee with owner Chris and his staff, whose music knowledge and passion create a great atmosphere. Tucked down an alley, it’s also a perfect courtyard venue for free live music.
83 Church Street, carnivalrecords.co.uk
ID057137

Holt Vinyl Vault, Holt, Norfolk

Holt Vinyl Vault
Photograph: pr

In this post office and record shop, you can browse the LPs while sub-postmaster and proprietor Andrew Worsdale serves the queue of customers. He’ll turn from selling premium bonds to talking about Graham Bond and usher you through to his back room of more vintage vinyl at great prices.
1 Cromer Road, tinyurl.com/n5pf36t
baggyamy

Groucho’s, Dundee

Groucho's
Groucho’s Photograph: PR

Integral to the vibrant Dundee music scene, this business has moved premises several times but its loyal customers have always followed. Whether you want to buy tickets for a gig, search for that rare album or just browse and catch up with fellow music lovers, it’s the place to go.
132 Nethergate, grouchos.co.uk
T20HAT

Europe

Plattfon Record Store, Basel, Switzerland

Photograph: pr

This shop has one of Europe’s finest collections of independent, electronica, abstract, urban, world and jazz music on vinyl. Michael and Muriel know every record in the store and are eager to help you find your next favourite artist or album. It’s also a hub for left-field cultural events.
Feldbergstrasse 48,
plattfon.ch
bodhisattva096

12 Tónar, Reykjavík, Iceland

Tonar
Photograph: PR

On two floors of a wooden house in downtown Reykjavík, 12 Tónar is an excellent source for Icelandic and foreign music, from Björk and Sigur Rós to the latest independent local bands and artists. There’s a listening area with sofas, and the proprietor will give you a stack of CDs and make you a cup of coffee to drink while you listen.
Skólavörðustígur 15,
2tonar.is
acb1

Dischi Carù, Gallarate, Lombardy, Italy

This beautiful Lombardy villa has piles of records and CDs everywhere, and a lovely whiff of smoky cappuccino. They promote independent music and hold free concerts in the courtyard. Even if you don’t buy anything, you’ll come away feeling enriched.
Piazza Garibaldi 6, caru.com
gonca

Freebird Records, Dublin, Ireland

Photograph: Liam Cooke/Flickr Creative Commons Photograph: Liam Cooke/Flickr Creative Commons

At the end of a long, narrow, poster-lined entrance off Wicklow Street is this granddaddy of record stores. You can take your time browsing through the CDs, vinyl and DVDs, or speed things up by asking a member of staff – they all seem to carry the immense catalogue of roots music in their head.
15A Wicklow Street,
freebird.ie
Mary Nolan

Coffee and Vinyl, Antwerp, Belgium

Come for a well-ordered range of new pressings of rarities, particularly reggae. Those who care less for vinyl can sit by the windows with a coffee or beer, a bun and the papers, as partners excitedly wave prospective purchases in their direction.
Volkstraat 45, tinyurl.com/q9sg3h7

steviem44

US

Aquarius Records, San Francisco

Aquarius Records, San Francisco
Photograph: Flickr/Creative Commons Photograph: PR

It’s easy to lose an hour or two here in this Mission district specialist in non-mainstream music – experimental, dark metal, electronic, punk and eclectic international recordings. This is the place if you want music that’s off the beaten track and staff that will help you navigate into the unknown.
1055 Valencia Street, aquariusrecords.org
Wilhelm von Erwache

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