Where to Shop Vinyl in the DMV

Don’t tell me you’ve never been vinyl shopping in the DMV. With so many amazing record shops to choose from, not partaking in the region’s dynamic wax culture isn’t only a mistake, it’s downright foolish. Whether you love rock, jazz or vibe with local sounds like go-go, the D.C. area is the perfect spot for anyone who loves a pristine sound. District Fray is happy to provide the definitive list on the best shops to visit.

Blue Groove Soundz

There is never a lack of activity in Arlington and the same goes for the city’s beloved Blue Groove Soundz. This independent record store in Arlington hosts an eclectic mix of music genres but primarily specializes in jazz, soul, funk and R&B music. 5852 Washington Blvd. Arlington, VA; bluegroovesoundz.blogspot.com // @bluegroovesoundz

Boops Records 

Based in Alexandria, Boops Records is a mobile record-buying store that purchases any and all genres of vinyl, including classic rock, R&B, heavy metal and more. 4900 Eisenhower Ave. Alexandria, VA;
sellmyrecords.weebly.com 

Bump ’n Grind Coffee Shop and Record Store

This café and record store combo in Silver Spring attracts a circle of people who love music and food. Discover new music while relaxing in the ambiance of a chilled-out coffee shop. The store occasionally hosts live mix sessions ranging from funk to jazz. 900 Wayne Ave. Silver Spring, MD;
bumpngrind.co // @bumpngrind_coffee_records

Byrdland Records

An out-of-sight record shop from the team that brought you Songbyrd Music House, Byrdland Records is the go-to D.C. spot for all your popular and niche tastes. Whether you want something local or something you can hear on the radio, Byrdland can serve wax to all the vinyl fanatics who make up the wonderful District. 1264 5th St. NE, DC; byrdlandrecords.com // @byrdlandrecords

CD Cellar

“Bet you can’t just buy one.” While this homepage quote may be a playful tease from Falls Church’s CD Cellar, there’s no question moderating your vinyl haul is no easy feat at this amazing hot spot. A store rooted in diversity and exploration, CD Cellar is perfect for the vinyl fan looking to find something new. 105 Park Ave. Falls Church, VA; cdcellarva.com // @cdcellarva

Cool Kids Vinyl

It’s not just a name. Cool Kids Vinyl really is the pop culture tastemaker of the DMV. Whether you’re looking for exquisite albums, flash-from-the-past comic books or vintage music mags from a number of iconic eras, this H Street standout does exactly that: stand out. 1351 H St. Maketto Upstairs, DC; coolkidsvinyl.com // @coolkidsvinyl

Crooked Beat Records

There’s no need to break your back looking for those must-need rare vinyls. At Alexandria’s Crooked Beat, all your micro-niche and avant-garde tastes can be found in a collection maintained by some of the DMV’s most devoted wax junkies. Take a trip over to their storefront and dive into the obscure side of vinyl music. 802 N Fairfax St. Alexandria, VA; crookedbeat.com // @crookedbeatrecords

El Donut Shoppe

Based here in the District and down south in sunny Orlando, El Donut Shoppe is a vinyl shop whose catalog is too sweet to pass up. Consisting of all things vintage and spanning genres you’ve never even heard of, this shop is for those looking to indulge. Take a trip over to their New Hampshire Avenue location inside Dupont’s Yours Truly DC Hotel and relish in their collection of sweet, sweet “donuts.” 1143 New Hampshire Ave. Ste. A NW, DC; eldonutshoppe.com // @donutshoppe

Love People Records. Photo courtesy of shop.

HR Records

Short for Home Rule, HR Records is the uptown spot for music that is jazzy, soulful and unapologetically D.C. Unfamiliar with the stellar legacy of go-go music? Do yourself a favor and take a trip to HR. Your D.C. music education starts at a shop that’s versed in the best of our home rule. 702 Kennedy St. NW, DC; homerulerecords.com // @hrrecords

Joe’s Record Paradise

It isn’t clear whether heaven is a place on earth, but when you’re a vinyl fanatic at Joe’s who can really tell the difference? Joe’s Record Paradise is a Silver Spring storefront eager to get their hands on all sorts of music and pass it on to the greater DMV. Variety is the mark of a great vinyl shop and at Joe’s it’s a guaranteed perk with your stay in paradise. 8700 Georgia Ave. Silver Spring, MD;
joesrecordparadise.com // @joesrecordparadise

Joint Custody

Fellow children of divorce: There is no need to panic. While typical joint custody has always been a strain on us, D.C.’s Joint Custody is a record shop that’ll put you at ease with their impressive collection of apparel, vinyl and artistic souvenirs that would make Keith Haring proud. If you’re looking for great vinyls, by all means stop by. But if you’re looking for an experience then get over here already. JC is waiting. 1530 U St. NW, DC; jointcustodydc.com // @jointcustodydc

Love People Records

It’s no secret an undying love for community and music is what drives Kensington’s Love People toward being the music fanatic’s favorite vinyl shop. Started by a wonderful couple with deep roots in the DMV’s DJ culture, Love People is their chance to educate their kids and the entire region on what beautiful music sounds like. Love is romantic. Love is familial. But it’s also musical. 3758 Howard Ave. Kensington, MD; lovepeoplerecords.com // @lovepeoplerecords

Memory Lane CDs and Records

This District Heights music shop is a haven for vinyl and CDs, specializing in R&B and jazz. Anyone with an affinity for rare groove, ’90s music and D.C. electronica will feel right at home at Memory Lane. 2809 Walters Ln. District Heights, MD; memorylaneonwalterslane.blogspot.com // @mlwl2809

Mobius Records

Mathematically, the Möbius Strip is a plane of space with absolutely no end. And more importantly, Mobius Records is a vinyl shop with a fabulous collection that has no end. From hard rock to electro to music soundtracks, this Fairfax staple will answer any vinyl inquiry with an astoundingly confident “Yes, we have it.” 10409 Main St. Ste. D Fairfax, VA; mobiusrecordshop.com // @mobiusrecordshop

Record Exchange Silver Spring

Family-owned and staying strong since the 1970s, Silver Spring’s Record Exchange is the kind of record shop that’s an essential in every community. Not only do they provide a music catalog worthy of praise, but they are also the authority on all things fandom. With their presence, there’s no telling how many citizens of the DMV are going to become movie buffs, vinyl geeks or connoisseurs of TV memorabilia. 8642 Colesville Rd. Silver Spring, MD; rxsilverspring.com // @recordexchangesilverspring

Records & Rarities

Between vinyl, video games and comic books, Northern Virginia’s Records & Rarities is a boutique that specializes in an array of vintage collector items. In addition to classic rock, the store also has a wide selection of metal and punk albums. 6500 Springfield Mall Springfield, VA; recordsandrarities.com // @recordsandrarities

Red Onion

Bite into the stinging goodness of Red Onion Records. Based in the dynamic and burgeoning enclave of Hyattsville, this record shop is your go-to for collection essentials and deep cuts that seem nowhere to be found. With a catalog that’s this good, you’ll be crying tears of joy rather than tears of onion-chopping irritation. 4208 Gallatin St. Hyattsville, MD; redonionrecords.com // @redonionrecords 

Smash!

When it comes to the best providers of wax, leave it to the punks. Smash! Records is the punk rock answer to the District’s vinyl needs. While they do cater to an entire range of different sounds and styles, it’s Smash’s rock n’ roll spirit that makes them such a positive authority on all things vinyl. Don’t think. Don’t take caution. Get yourself over to Smash! and let loose. 2314 18th St. NW, DC 2nd Floor; smashrecords.com // @smashrecordsdc

Som Records

This 14th Street record store staple has stood the test of time in downtown D.C. Hosting one of greatest varieties of new and used vinyl in D.C., the store’s specialty ranges from electronica to go-go to folk music. 1843 14th St. NW, DC; somrecordsdc.com // @somrecordsdc

Sonidos Music & More

At its core, the Maryland-based record store Sonidos is about creating a community around discovering new music. When you buy, sell or trade vinyl at Sonidos, you’ll join a circle of music lovers who find comfort in new sounds. 11011-B Baltimore Ave. Beltsville, MD; sonidosmusicshop.com //
@sonidos.musicshop 

Spin Time Records

You can visit this D.C. record store from anywhere in the city. As one of the few online-only record stores in the District, Spin Time Records is a haven of music representing D.C.’s many subcultures, from go-go to punk and indie. spintimerecords.com // @spintimerecords

Vienna Music Exchange

This Virginia-based vinyl shop is locally famous for its selection of new and rare metal, punk and rock records. The store also has its own music label, Maniacal Records, which has produced tracks since 2001. 131 Church St. NW Vienna, VA; viennamusicexchange.com // @maniacalrecords

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Caroline Cliona Boyle and Bree Rodrigues-Oliveira