Top 5 Record Shops in Soho

The streets of Soho have been home to some of UK's finest record shops, all with a fantastic range of vinyl and CD's. Though many of the old independents didn't live to see the mid-2010s wax rebirth, the ones that remained are gems nonetheless. Here is Culture Calling's Top 5 record shop picks for Soho:

A vibrant, yellow-themed record store features racks of clothing, albums, and accessories. Two women converse at a white counter in the center, while stylish red and white pendant lights hang from the ceiling. The store window reveals a glimpse of greenery outside.
Architectural Digest

Sister Ray – 94 Berwick Street

The image shows the exterior of Sister Ray, a music store. The storefront has large glass windows displaying vinyl records and CDs. Above the entrance, the store’s name and website are displayed. A sign to the left indicates parking information.
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Sister Ray, 75 Berwick St, London, W1F 8TG

With a 30 year history, Sister Ray is one of the most well-known record shops in Soho and London in general.

Named after the Velvet Underground song of the same name, the shop long-predates the 2010s vinyl revival, and was one of many shops that comprised the beating heart of Soho’s independent scene that closed down upon the transition to CD and digital.

Yet, Sister Ray stands strong, and is still offering some of the best selections of old and new one can find in person.

A collection of vinyl records displayed on shelves. The upper shelf shows album covers including a man in a suit pointing, a robotic figure, and various artistic designs. The lower shelves organize records by genre, with visible labels such as Hip Hop, Electronic Pop, and Disco.
London On The Inside

Phonica - 51 Poland Street

A storefront with the sign Phonica above it, featuring glass doors and windows. A colorful poster on an easel lists several names, likely event or concert performers. The interior appears to have records and other musical merchandise on display.
A Farer Watches

Phonica, 51 Poland St, London, W1F 7LZ

‘London’s leading vinyl specialist’ according to Resident Advisor, Phonica is the acetate epicentre of the capitals dance scene.

Stocking some of the rarer singles and dubplates, it’s a hotspot for cratedigging DJ’s and audiophiles alike.

There is no introduction needed for Phonica if you are a dance/IDM enthusiast, but if you are not, maybe it’s time to take a trip to Poland St to familarise yourself with some new genres.

It's a bewildering world to enter as a newcomer, so if you're lost I'd strongly recommend chatting to the staff; they are lovely. 

A cozy record store with shelves full of vinyl records on the left and walls lined with more records in the center. There is a wooden counter with turntables and headphones. The store has warm lighting and a retro vibe, with a glass door leading outside.
The Vinyl Factory

Reckless Records – 30 Berwick Street

A brightly painted red storefront of Reckless Records, featuring vinyl records displayed in the window and colorful images of iconic musicians on the glass. Flower boxes adorn the top of the building, adding a touch of greenery.
reckless.co.uk

Reckless Records, 30 Berwick St, London, W1F 8RH

Another oldhead of Berwick Street, Reckless has been buying, trading, and swapping records since the 80s, mostly in the rock and pop variety.

If you’re a collector and have a bit of money in your pocket, this is the place to drop some serious cash on first and second editions; I once saw a second edition of ‘Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars’ go for £400.

It’s not just rock they stock, as they offer selections of UK dance white labels, as well as more modern indie records coming out of London. It’s an absolute classic record shop and an iconic feature of Soho that should never be missed by any vinylheads.

People browse through vinyl records in a cozy, well-lit record store. Shelves filled with records line the walls, and several customers are looking through the collection. The background shows more records and the entrance to another room.
The Vinyl Factory

Sounds Of The Universe – 7 Broadwick Street

A person stands outside a quaint record store on a street corner. The store has a large window displaying various vinyl records. Above the window, a sign reads SOUNDS OF THE UNIVERSE. The building has a classic design with brown and red brickwork.
The Vinyl Factory

Sounds Of The Universe, 7 Broadwick St, London, W1F 0DA

Doing what is says on the tin, Sounds of the Universe claims to boast the “largest selection of Reggae, Dubstep, House, Disco, Funk and Soul, Brazilian, Latin, African and world beats in the UK”.

Their claim becomes ever less doubtful the more you trawl through their obscure 7”s, their selection of African (especially Ethiopian) jazz, as well as European album covers that look familiar apart from the Japanese text superimposed on top.

Their imports are near-constant and wide-ranging, so while it may not be your regular spot to pick up new releases (though it does have many), this is a golden opportunity to open your mind to what the rest of the world has to offer.

Truly, there is much more to music than just Europe and America.

A vinyl record store with wooden shelves lined with records, categorized into different genres. Record sleeves are visible, with some featuring vibrant cover art. A person stands behind the counter on the left, surrounded by posters and promotional material.
Sounds of the Universe

Third Man Records - 1 Marshall Street

A vibrant storefront painted yellow features the sign Third Man Records in black, flanked by three exterior lamps above. The large windows reveal a glimpse of the interior, and there are green doors on the left. The building has brick and plant accents.
Handle Recruitment

Third Man Records, 1 Marshall St, Carnaby, London, W1F 9BA

Opened by Jack White (of the White Stripes, The Raconteurs), the big, bright yellow Third Man Records stands as a proud beam of light through Soho.

Round the corner from Carnaby Street, the White-owned business offers an eclectic mix of kit; obscure White Stripes pressings, a magazine series titled after Funkadelic’s classic Maggot Brain; own-brand tees, drumsticks, guitar straps, and even guitar pedals.

A two-levelled site, Third Man is also home to “The Blue Basement”, a cosy live music venue, as well as the “Literatum”, a recording space where you can record directly to vinyl. It really can’t get much better than this.

An interior view of Third Man Records store featuring a mix of vintage decor, yellow brick walls, and exposed beams. The space showcases records, merchandise, and memorabilia, with a retro-style bar counter, display shelves, hanging green lights, and a cozy seating area.
Third Man Records