THE TOP 5 RECORD STORES IN LOS ANGELES

AMOEBA MUSIC

With reported sales of $1.2 billion in 2022, demand for vinyl continues to grow and LA's record store scene has blossomed. Take a tour of the city and you might be surprised by how much variety even the smallest shops have to offer. From new releases to vintage collectibles to budget bin finds, the goods inside Los Angeles record stores are as eclectic as the city itself.

To get you started on your vinyl journey, we’ve put together a list of local record stores from Chatsworth to San Pedro, with lots of stops in between. Make sure to check the store websites or social media pages to confirm hours and keep up on sales, in-store events and the latest drops.

1) AMOEBA MUSIC

6200 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood 90028
323-245-6400
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Amoeba Music is less of a record shop and more of a music department store. It is large, busy and, frankly, can be a little overwhelming. Once you adjust to the abundance of stimuli here, you’ll be able to find everything from the latest pop releases and vintage classical vinyl to black light posters and music magazines. Amoeba’s location on Hollywood Boulevard - it's just a half-block from the Hollywood/Vine Station - makes it very convenient for tourists staying at Hollywood hotels, as well as for those heading into the neighborhood via the Metro B Line (Red).
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2) ARROYO RECORDS

5132.1/2 York Blvd., Los Angeles 90042
909-374-4730
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Don’t be fooled by the size of Arroyo Records in Highland Park. You’ll need to carve out a good amount of time to dig through this small space on York Boulevard. The record shop’s collection is heavy on the classics across genres and there’s a lot packed into those bins. Whether you’re looking for funky 45s, psychedelic full-lengths, or new wave dance singles, it’s unlikely that you’ll leave here empty-handed. Be sure to check out the hefty bargain bins before you leave.
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As the Record Turns | Photo: @astherecordturnsla, Instagram

3) AS THE RECORD TURNS

6727 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles 90028
323-251-4895
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A hidden gem off Hollywood Boulevard, As the Record Turns is located in a small courtyard down a narrow walkway between McCadden Place and Las Palmas Avenue. For more than 30 years, the shop has been a source for collectors and archivists in search of rare pieces - they’ve even sourced vinyl for films like Straight Outta Compton and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. In addition to shelves and bins that heave with rock and soul classics, As the Record Turns is home to a large selection of soundtrack albums and a hefty stock of exotica titles.
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4) DEADLY WAX

21903 Devonshire St., Chatsworth 91311
818-678-9640
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Inside Deadly Wax, a mural by artist Joshua Jacobs greets customers with the store's logo - an eyeball wearing a cowboy hat and holding a 45 - perched atop Stoney Point, a nod to Chatsworth’s geography and its history as a location for Western films. Rock and jazz account for much of what you will find in the bins, where new and used records are mixed together. As you dig through the rock bins, keep your eyes peeled for ‘90s indie rock and related subgenres, and scope the wall for some of the most coveted releases of that era.
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Photo: Freakbeat Records, Facebook

5) FREAKBEAT RECORDS

13616 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks 91423
818-995-7603
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If your preferred medium is compact disc, Freakbeat Records is a must for your shopping list. Close to half of the Sherman Oaks store is lined with CDs. As for vinyl, rock dominates the stacks, but Freakbeat is a low-key stellar resource for dance music fans - there's a sizable selection of used 12” singles and a small section dedicated to the DJ remix service releases that were popular in the 1980s and 1990s. Take a look at the rare 45s on the wall near the register, but don’t neglect the dollar bins, where you might find some budget-friendly goodies.
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