Best record stores in Melbourne

If you enjoy myopically riffling through vinyl, have we got the goods for you? Yes, we have

First published on 15 Nov 2011. Updated on 5 Dec 2012.

The Searchers
Fitzroy	This small, unassuming Fitzroy gem opened in 2008 as one of the few second-hand bookstores at the city end of Smith Street. Since then, it’s evolved to include a healthy range of used records. Racks stretch from the door to the rear counter; and are helpfully divided into genres such as punk, soul and disco.
Heartland Records
West Melbourne	There’s a selection of CDs, but vinyl is the main focus. Shoppers can pick up anything from a reissued Nirvana LP to the back catalogue of Alice Cooper, Anthrax or Iron Maiden; but dig hard enough and you’ll find some indie rock and classic titles by artists like Arcade Fire, Weezer and Arctic Monkeys.
Round & Round Records
Brunswick	It’s easy to miss Round & Round Records if you’re walking on Sydney Road; surrounded by bridal stores, the only telltale sign you’ve reached your destination is the sandwich board featuring a friendly owl outside. The store is small but packed with custom-built wooden racks of new and second-hand vinyl.
Collectors' Corner
Melbourne	Two of Melbourne’s best-known record stores became one in August 2010. The first-level store now features stock from both businesses; with Missing Link’s range of new and used punk, hardcore and metal records and CDs complemented by Record Collectors Corner’s imports, classic titles and cheap music DVDs.
Pure Pop
St Kilda	A Pure Pop courtyard session on a summer’s afternoon is to music lovers what the cheesy grin of the Luna Park monster is to children: nirvana. A fully licensed record store complete with courtyard performance space, bar, and a kick-ass assortment of vinyl, ham'n'cheese toasties, and Tuesday night trivia to boot.
Northside Records
Fitzroy	Run by the ultimate sovereign of soul, 3RRR’s Chris Gill, Northside has long been a favourite within local music circles, called on by DJs and jive-bunnies alike. Whether you’re after a straight soul groove or some jazzed-up reggae blues, these guys have their finger on the vinyl pulse of all things funk through hip-hop.
Obese Records
Prahran	This southside stalwart is a goldmine for hip-hoppers about town, with a vast collection of both local and international vinyl up for grabs. After opening in 1995, Obese gained such traction in the underground hip-hop scene that it eventually spawned its own record label.
Licorice Pie
Prahran	One of the more consistent and reliable vinyl sources in town. Over 10,000 records are crammed into the store’s tight confines, which makes for a very heady mix of genres. We’re talking rock, pop, psych, prog rock, metal, funk, soul, Krautrock… the beat goes on.
Polyester Records
Melbourne	In the wee small hours before ticket sales open for major festivals, snaking queues of eager music beavers regularly hug the corner of the Fitzroy store; similarly, droves of hip young things turn out to Flinders Lane on a Friday eve for those infamous Polyester in-stores.
Greville Records
Prahran	Specialising in more traditional forms of rock, it’s the place to start if you’re hunting that ultra-limited release of Kinks b-sides. Owner Warwick Brown also stocks an enviable array of books, tour posters and hard-to-come-by paraphernalia.
Mainly Jazz Records & Books
St Kilda	A specialist jazz store stocking only the very best in jazz classics. As you’d expect, the staff are true aficionados of the jazz form, and are therefore incredibly well placed to not only help you find your current favourite, but to arm you with an earful of brand new jazzy gems to take home.
Ritual Music & Books
Fitzroy North	With a notable predilection towards supporting local artists – Fourteen Nights At Sea and Royal Headache to name a few – Ritual really spans the full spectrum of musical genres, throwing up folk, black metal, indie, jazz, post hardcore, and shoegaze. Go forth, go north, and dig.
Dixons Recycled
Various	The Blackburn warehouse is a hangout for hard rock and metal puritans, while Fitzroy plays host to a plethora of punk and experimental sounds; Dandenong houses a healthy quota of reissues, and for a more rounded range, the Camberwell store’s your answer.
Basement Discs
Melbourne	Advocates of seriously fine music in its many decorated splendour, Basement have a marked inclination towards anything blues or folk inspired, and are happy to talk old school soul any old tick of the tock. What's more, the crew at Basement are refreshingly receptive to customer orders.