A guide to Greater Manchester's best independent record shops

Launched in 2019, a Stockport hidden gem, All Night Flight is tucked away in the town’s historic old town. The store sells predominantly left-field, experimental, electronic and worldwide sounds, and also hosts regular DJ nights. Owner Tom Houghton was already selling bits and bobs out of his record collection before embarking on the All Night Flight journey, so he’s naturally in his element. This store is great if you’re thinking outside of your usually restricted genre box.

Speciality Northern Soul selecters, Beatin’ Rhythm used to reside on Tib Street in Northern Quarter, but is now based in Bank House Studios in Prestwich. They have an outstanding collection of rare funk and soul for you to feast your eyes and ears on if you fancy a jaunt to the shop, fully expanding your vinyl collection to contain some underground grooves to really impress your pals with.

No city centre vinyl trail would be complete without dropping into Piccadilly’s Clampdown. Owner Neil Clarke is an absolute mine of knowledge, with the racks veritably stacked with every genre imaginable, all expertly curated. Buy, sell, trade, if you’re after anything from 50s rock-a-billy to blistering hi-nrg, Clampdown will have something to scratch that itch.

Traditional vinyl chamber, Double Four Records sits on Lower Hillgate in Stockport and is a portal directly to the smoke-filled vinyl boutiques of the 80s. As well as selling boxes full of records to spend your afternoon sifting through, the shop also stocks vintage t-shirts paying homage to bands such as Joy Division and The Smiths, who recorded their music just up the road at the iconic Strawberry Studios. 

Ground zero for the acid house revolution in Manchester, Eastern Bloc has long established itself as the go-to for all things dance music, first opening its doors in 1985 just as the bleeps from Detroit and Chicago were making their way to the Rainy City. Since then it’s moved from its original space on Oldham Street to Stevenson Square, and is now as much a bar as it is a vinyl emporium, with regular parties going on in the downstairs space.

Established back in 1987, Kingbee Records is home to a myriad vinyl covering all music tastes. The shop on Wilbraham Road in Chorlton attracts a whole host of vinyl buffs who love nothing more than spending a Sunday sifting through forgotten hits and hidden gems, and the place has rarely changed since it swung its doors open over 30 years ago. It’s a proper cosy and welcoming record retreat, serving the vinyl junkies of South Manchester and beyond admirably.

Levenshulme Antiques Village is a fantastic place to kit out your house from different dealers that take over each floor. As well as the trinkets and vintage homeware that’s on offer, M.G Records also has its very own little shop selling the best in preloved music from the past.

Music for the Soul Records is a family run independent record shop in Urmston that prides itself on selling vinyl that’s in mint condition. They stock loads of classic CDs and records, with a main focus on soul, and they are more than happy to talk you through their offerings if you’re after something that’s a bit different.

A Mancunian institution since 1978, Piccadilly Records has been a cornerstone of the city’s musical landscape for over 40 years from its home on Oldham Street. You’re bound to find what you’re looking for amongst the shelves of pop, indie, folk, rock, metal and beyond here. And if not, fear not, as the friendly, knowledgable folk behind the counter will be able to assist in your search for musical nirvana.

From the outside, the store looks like a place to grab egg and chips and a builders tea, but, once you venture inside, the store is full of great records and music memorabilia from the past, all curated by owner, Nigel Young. Named in honour of the track of the same name by Stretford’s most famous sons The Smiths (well, Morrissey anyway, who grew up on Kings Road), Reel Around The Fountain is tucked away in Stretford Mall. A haven for guitar and indie music of all stripes, you’ll find some soul, hip hop and electronica going on too. Worth the short trip out of town.

In April 2023, the good ship Rubber Ducky Records – the record shop inside a canal barge – sadly sank, but just a few months later, the unique concept was back sailing the high seas of Ancoats’ canals. Founder Myles can be found in the bright yellow boat, stocking a huge range of brilliant vinyl, which is also available to listen to via the turntable on board. A must-visit alternative vinyl treasure trove.

Infamous Burnage record store, Sifters Records is said to have played a major part in the career of the Gallagher brothers. When Noel set foot in the shop as a 16-year-old, Mr Sifter provided him with a collection of records that may well have spurred him onto begin his own, quite frankly, era-defining musical career. The shop still sits in the same location as it did over 30 years ago, and continues to provide music fans of all genres with a bag of affordable goodies on departure.

Found just underneath the bridge on Stockport’s Little Underbank, you’ll find SK1 Records. This superlative independent store sells everything from jazz and indie, to 80s synth pop and experimental rock to bulk up your collection. It also houses a mezzanine for you to enjoy a coffee and a bit of cake post digging, AND they often have a resident pooch wandering around. In the spring and summer, they also host excellent street parties out the front, featuring some of the city’s finest selectors.

Found on the third floor of Spinners Mill in Leigh, Sticky Black blends the latest releases alongside a wealth of superbly produced re-issues and essential second-hand gems. It’s the kind of neighbourhood wax emporium that any self-respecting vinyl obsessive would cherish having on their doorstep.

Altrincham institution Tasty Records began its journey back in 2013 after owner Ben left his career in the motor trade. The very aesthetically pleasing store stocks a huge range of brand-new and high-quality second hand records, and is also a Record Store Day partner, which sees huge queues of dedicated fans camp out at the store to grab their most sort after releases on the day.

Sat where Oldham Street meets Dale Street, Vinyl Exchange has been doing just that since 1988 – facilitating the civil exchange of some of the city’s best records from one hand to another. Part of the Vinyl Triangle (we’re coining that phrase) with Vinyl Revival and Piccadilly Records, it has been serving the city’s movers and shakers with the best new and second-hand records and CDs for nearly four decades.

Only the most humourless don’t love a solid pun name. And this is a cracker, to be fair. The racks upon racks at Vinyl Resting Place are groaning with rarities, oddities, deep cuts and classics, taking in every genre you could wish to flick through. The only issue is gauging how much you can feasibly carry home.

Looking in from the outside, its shop windows adorned with classic Manchester albums and artwork, you’ll find much of the same when you step inside Vinyl Revival. Whilst stocking a brilliant selection of different genres, the shop also proudly flies the Mancunian flag, with the best of the city’s new and old music on offer. You can also pick up t-shirts, merchandise and homeware in here too – you won’t leave empty handed.

A relative new comer, Wax and Beans has cemented itself at the heart of the community as Bury‘s only independent record shop. Located inside a Grade II-listed building, it’s a brilliant spot to not only flick through boxes of new and used records but also enjoy lunch with a friend or stay late for their special live sessions. Found a record you want to test out? Pop it on the shop’s turntable and try before you buy.