People sometimes look at me funny when I recommend other record shops. “Aren’t they your competition?” Sure, technically. But record shop owners who see other stores as the enemy are missing the point entirely. A healthy vinyl ecosystem needs multiple good shops. People who buy records buy lots of records, from lots of places. A rising tide lifts all boats, or in our case, all crates.

So here’s my honest guide to Melbourne’s record shop landscape in 2026 — what each shop does well, what they specialise in, and why you should visit them. Yes, including the ones that compete directly with us.

The Specialists

Northside Records (Fitzroy) — If you’re into punk, post-punk, garage, and the louder end of the indie spectrum, Northside is essential. They’ve been at it since the early 2000s, the staff actually know their stock, and their new arrivals section is consistently interesting. They also do in-store performances that range from intimate to chaotic. Go on a Saturday afternoon.

Wax Museum (CBD) — Underground electronic, house, techno, ambient. Probably the best dance music vinyl selection in Melbourne, curated by people who actually DJ. If you don’t know what you’re looking for, tell them what DJs or labels you like and they’ll point you in the right direction. Not a browsing shop for casuals — you’ll get more out of it if you know what you want or are willing to learn.

Basement Discs (CBD) — One of Melbourne’s oldest surviving shops, and they’ve earned that longevity through deep stock, knowledgeable staff, and a focus on quality across genres. Their jazz and classical sections are particularly strong. If you’re looking for a specific title that other shops don’t carry, Basement probably has it or can get it.

Round & Round Records (Collingwood) — Excellent for second-hand vinyl, particularly Australian releases. If you’re hunting for out-of-print Australian indie, pub rock, or local pressing rarities, this is your first stop. Prices are fair — they’re not trying to match Discogs highs on every title.

The Generalists

Polyester Records (Fitzroy) — Good all-rounder with a strong new release focus. They tend to have the week’s major releases in stock before everyone else, and their pre-order game is solid. Good place to keep your finger on the pulse of what’s coming out.

Greville Records (Prahran) — Survived the transition from CD dominance to vinyl revival and came out stronger. Great second-hand section alongside new stock. The Prahran location means it catches a different demographic than the Fitzroy/Collingwood cluster, which means the second-hand stock tends to be different too. Worth checking regularly.

Heartland Records (CBD) — Relocated a few years back and the new space is better. Focused primarily on new vinyl with decent coverage across indie, electronic, hip-hop, and local releases. Staff recommendations are reliable.

The Crate Diggers’ Haunts

For the second-hand obsessives — and you know who you are — Melbourne still has several shops where you can spend hours going through unsorted bins:

Record Collectors Corner (various locations) — Multiple stores across Melbourne with the widest volume of second-hand stock in the city. Quality varies dramatically from bin to bin, which is half the fun. I’ve found $5 copies of records worth ten times that, and I’ve also flipped through 400 records without finding anything. That’s crate digging.

Dixon’s Recycled Records (various) — Similar concept. High volume, variable quality, organised enough to find things but loose enough to discover surprises. Their pricing tends to be slightly more generous (to the buyer) than some CBD shops.

What Makes a Good Record Shop

Since we’re being honest here, let me tell you what separates the shops I respect from the ones I don’t.

Staff knowledge. A good record shop employee can tell you about the album you’re holding, recommend something similar, and warn you if a particular pressing has known quality issues. If the staff just shrug and point at the genre divider, that’s not a record shop — it’s a warehouse with a till.

Curation over volume. I’d rather browse 2,000 carefully selected titles than 20,000 randomly assembled ones. The best shops buy intelligently, stock what they believe in, and create a browsing experience where everything on the shelf is worth considering. Some shops just order every new release regardless of quality, which makes browsing exhausting and unhelpful.

Fair pricing on second-hand. This is contentious, but I believe record shops should price second-hand vinyl at or below Discogs median, not at or above. Shops add value through immediate access, the ability to inspect the record, and the browsing experience. Trying to beat Discogs on price-per-title while ignoring those value adds just pushes buyers online.

Community engagement. In-stores, listening sessions, staff picks, local artist spotlights — these are the things that make a record shop more than a retail transaction. The PBS 106.7FM community radio connection is strong across Melbourne’s better shops, and that relationship matters.

A Note on Online-Only

Several online-only vinyl retailers have set up in Melbourne, offering curated selections shipped to your door. They serve a purpose — particularly for people outside Melbourne or those after specific titles. But they’re not record shops in the way that matters. You can’t flip through the bins. You can’t have a conversation with the person behind the counter. You can’t discover something unexpected because it was filed next to something you were looking for.

The physical experience is the product. Anyone who thinks otherwise is selling convenience, not culture. Nothing wrong with convenience, but let’s not confuse it with what we do.

Supporting the Ecosystem

If you’ve read this far, you’re probably already the kind of person who buys vinyl regularly. Here’s my one request: spread your spending around. Buy from us, absolutely — we appreciate every sale. But also visit the other shops on this list. Talk to their staff. Discover their specialities.

Melbourne’s record shop scene is one of the richest in the world, and it stays that way because enough people care about physical music to support multiple stores. Every shop you visit, every record you buy, every conversation you have with staff — it all feeds an ecosystem that can’t exist without your participation.

Now stop reading and go buy some records.