The Five Best Record Stores In Brisbane

In order to help you celebrate all things vinyl, CD, band shirt and street press, here are some of the places you'll want to check out on National Record Store Day on April 20. These are just our suggestions — for the official list of participating stores (who will stock the Record Store Day releases) head along to the website.

1. Record Exchange

Brisbane's Record Exchange, tucked up on Adelaide Street in Brisbane's city centre, is a hidden gem among music enthusiasts. Its walls are bursting with all of the musty vinyl, oversized (and psyche- fluorescent) posters, obscure clothing and vintage collectibles you could possibly want in a store; it currently stands as the largest record store in the southern hemisphere, for its collection rather than floor space. You can easily spend a day flicking through LPs, CDs, DVDs (or even VHS), purveying the instruments on sale, weighing up the choice of Beatles or KISS bobbleheads. The Record Exchange is best tackled with an open yet decisive mind, unlimited time and perhaps a like-minded friend who can tell you if those embellished, knee-high Doc Martens really do go with that tartan ballet skirt.

2. Rocking Horse Records

Just around the corner from the Record Exchange is where you’ll find Rocking Horse Records. It’s the oldest independently owned store of its kind in Queensland and has proven itself as a dear treasure to its regular customers when it was saved from closure last year. They stock CDs from international to indie, selected vinyl and T-shirts, and an impressive collection of music books and magazines and posters. Rocking Horse is also a stockist of Brisbane’s best music street press magazines, and inside its walls plastered with tour posters, you can’t help but be kept up to date on all things music in Brisbane.

3. Tym’s Guitars

A guitar haven first and a record store second, Tym Guitars in Fortitude Valley holds its own amongst the bigger names in records sales if only for the passion behind their products. They are a unique instrument shop who specialise in vintage and pre-loved guitars and repairs, recording equipment, tour gear, and a collection of music, merch and memorabilia that boasts quality over quantity. To further prove their dedication to the cause, Tym Guitars are hosting a party for Record Store Day, with bands, new vinyl, giveaways and a sausage sizzle.

4. Jet Black Cat

Brisbane’s cultural mecca, West End, has many options when it comes to record collecting, however Jet Black Cat are in a league of their own. They are dedicated to maintaining their 'indie' status; not at all in an ironic, inaccessible way, but rather their left-of-field, novel approaches to products and how they sell them is remarkable and longstanding. If they don’t have it, they’ll get it for you, however you won’t leave unsurprised or, as is the affliction of the music obsessed, empty handed. Be sure to cross this Black Cat’s path come Record Store Day.

5. Egg Records

Walk into Egg Records in West End, and you’re sure to find a treat. Alongside pre-loved and new vinyl, CDs, DVDs and merch shirts, you’ll find quirky collectibles (dancing James Brown action figure, anyone?). Conveniently and competitively located across from Jet Black Cat, you’ll get the true West End treatment of golden tunes and the friendly, knowledgeable staff to help you find the treasure you thought you’d never track down. Egg Records is often quoted as having the supreme of selections, with its regulars swearing by its secrets.