An A-Z of Greater Manchester’s best independent record stores

The Best Record Shops in Greater Manchester

All Night Flight Records

Address: 10 Mealhouse Brow, Stockport, SK1 1JP
What kind of tunes?  Left-field, experimental, electronic, and worldwide sounds.
Tucked away in Stockport Old Town, All Night Flight deals in thoughtfully curated new and used records that span ambient, avant-garde, and global genres. The physical store offers a serene, specialist browsing experience just ten minutes south of Manchester. Whether buying, selling or trading, it’s a destination for true musical explorers.

Check out their website here

Beatin’ Rhythm

Address 1st Floor, Bank House Studios, Warwick St, Prestwich, Manchester M25 3HN
What kind of tunes? Northern soul, funk, rare groove, 45s and modern soul.
Once an NQ staple, Beatin’ Rhythm now brings its world-class soul collection to Prestwich. With more than three decades of retail and crate-digging experience behind them, the team here are walking encyclopaedias of soul music, ready to guide you through an ever-changing stock of rare vinyl and hard-to-find reissues.

Check out their website here

Double Four Records

Location Lower Hillgate, Stockport SK1 1JJ
What kind of tunes? A carefully curated selection of vinyl, plus vintage band merch celebrating local legends.

Tucked away on Lower Hillgate, Double Four Records feels like stepping back into a classic vinyl shop from decades past. With stacks of records ready for crate-diggers to sift through, this Stockport gem keeps the old-school charm alive, offering a browsing experience that takes music lovers straight to the golden era of record collecting. Beyond the vinyl racks, Double Four Records also pays tribute to Greater Manchester’s rich musical heritage. Expect to find vintage t-shirts featuring legendary bands like Joy Division and The Smiths, a nod to the iconic Strawberry Studios, where some of Manchester’s greatest recordings were made.

Check out their socials here

Eastern Bloc

Address 5a Stevenson Square, Manchester M1 1DN
What kind of tunes? House, techno, jungle, DnB, jazz, hip hop
A cornerstone of Manchester’s dance music scene since 1985, Eastern Bloc is as iconic as they come. Now located in Stevenson Square, it doubles as a café and events space, with a downstairs bar that hosts in-store sets. From heavy jungle to mellow soul, it’s a must-visit for DJs and dancers alike.

Check out their website here

Empire Exchange

Address: 1 Newton Street, Manchester M1 1HW

What kind of tunes? Literally the most random selection of music ever assembled in any one place.

Dusty digging, second-hand comics, sensory overload, and “adult materials…” A stone’s throw from Piccadilly Gardens and skirting the Northern Quarter, Empire Exchange is less a shop and more a time-warping treasure cave. You’ll know you’ve found it by the thumping storefront stereo, a rogue stack of VHS tapes by the door, and a stairwell filled with everything from 90s puppets to United programmes. Records here are ungraded, largely unsorted, and very possibly rescued from the depths of a car boot sale or a skip. But that’s the fun. For every dozen James Last LPs, there’s a Mr. Fingers or a long-forgotten electro 12” waiting to be unearthed. Beyond vinyl, you’ll find comics, vintage electronics, military memorabilia, books, postcards, and a healthy dose of chaos. It’s part record shop, part museum, part fever dream — just maybe don’t linger too long near the top-shelf magazines by the till.

Hi-Tackle Records

Address Downtex Mill, Mary Street, Manchester M3 1NH
What kind of tunes? Boogie, street soul, jungle, hardcore—and a game of Mario Kart.
A crate-digger’s paradise hidden above Hidden nightclub, Hi-Tackle is more than a record store—it’s a DIY dreamscape. With pastel lighting, vintage consoles, Mario Kart and Jammie Dodgers on tap, it’s as much community hub as it is music shop. Expect genre-defying gems curated by club night legends Ruf Dug and Randy Brunson. “All hitters, no shitters,” indeed.

Check out their website here

King Bee Records

Address 519 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, Manchester M21 0UF
What kind of tunes? Reggae, jazz, disco, northern soul, and more second-hand treasures.
Established in 1987, King Bee is a Chorlton institution. Run by northern soul aficionado Les Hare, its rotating racks are stuffed with affordable vinyl across multiple genres. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or student looking for a steal, this South Manchester staple promises crate after crate of pure digging joy.

You can check out their website here

Music For The Soul

Address 50 Flixton Rd, Urmston, Manchester M41 5AB
What kind of tunes? Soul, classic CDs, mint-condition vinyl

A hidden gem in Urmston, Music For The Soul Records is a family-run haven for soul lovers and vinyl collectors alike. Specialising in pristine-condition records and CDs, the shop offers a thoughtfully curated selection of timeless classics. Whether you’re hunting down a rare soul gem or looking for something unexpected, the friendly team is always happy to guide you through their treasures.

You can check out their website here

Piccadilly Records

Address 53 Oldham Street, Manchester M1 1JR
What kind of tunes? The latest releases and reissues across every genre.
Manchester’s flagship indie record store, Piccadilly Records is a haven for those who want to stay ahead of the curve. With over 40 years in the game and a dedicated crew of expert buyers and reviewers, this NQ landmark offers indie, Balearic, psych, house and jazz in abundance—all wrapped up in top-tier customer service. And it has been recently endorsed by Smiths legend, Johnny Marr.

Check out their website here

Reel Around The Fountain

Address: Upper Unit 41-42 Stretford Mall, Chester Road, Manchester M32 9BB 
What kind of tunes? Indie, guitar-driven sounds, soul, hip hop, electronica
From the outside, Reel Around The Fountain might fool you into thinking it’s an old-school café, but venture inside, and you’ll find a record lover’s paradise.
Named after the iconic Smiths track, this tucked-away shop in Stretford Mall is curated by owner Nigel Young, whose passion for music shines through every record and memorabilia item. Specialising in indie and guitar-driven sounds, with a sprinkle of soul, hip hop, and electronica, it’s a must-visit for those looking to expand their collection.

Check out their facebook here

Sifters Records

Address 177 Fog Lane, Burnage, Manchester M20 6FJ
This legendary second-hand vinyl shop has been a staple of the Manchester music scene since 1977.

Made famous by Oasis (“Mr. Sifter sold me songs when I was just 16”), it’s a must-visit for fans of indie, rock, and rare gems. Expect walls lined with classics and crates full of surprises — and yes, Mr. Sifter himself still mans the counter.

Check out their website here

SK1 Records

Address 17-19 Little Underbank, Stockport SK1 1LA
SK1 is more than a record shop — it’s part café, part bar, part live venue. Nestled in the heart of Stockport’s historic Underbanks, this community-driven spot champions new artists, rare records, and good vibes. Whether you’re crate-digging, sipping a coffee, or catching a DJ set, SK1 is full of local soul.

You can check out their website here

Sticky Black Tarmac

Address Spinners Mill, Park Lane, Leigh, WN7 2LB
What kind of tunes? Latest releases, high-quality reissues, and essential second-hand vinyl

Nestled on the third floor of Spinners Mill in Leigh, Sticky Black Tarmac is a vinyl haven that blends new releases with expertly produced reissues and sought-after second-hand gems. A true neighbourhood wax emporium, it’s the kind of record store every vinyl enthusiast wishes they had around the corner. Whether you’re hunting for the latest pressing or rediscovering a lost classic, Sticky Black is well worth the trip.

You can check out their website here

Tasty Records

Address 25 Regent Road, Altrincham, Greater Manchester, WA14 1RX
Tasty Records has been doing its thing in Altrincham since 2013, after owner Ben decided to hang up the overalls from the motor trade and follow his passion. Tasty Records stocks an awesome selection of used and brand spanking new records. They are partnered with Record Store Day, so if you’re in the hunt for something fun for Record Store Day 2025, get ready to join the queue.

You can check out their website here

Vinyl Resting Place

Address 3rd Floor, Afflecks, 52 Church Street, Manchester M4 1PW
What kind of tunes? Second-hand rarities and cheap gems across all genres.
From its humble start in a corner of Afflecks to its now-sprawling third-floor setup, Vinyl Resting Place is a love letter to all things analog. Run by Bolton legend Alistair Hall, it’s a warm, witty space stacked with jazz, disco, house, soul, and rock—and a sense of humour that’s as sharp as its selection.

You can check out their instagram here