If you’re a fan of an album, there’s no better way to express that love than to physically own it. That’s why the vinyl revival has taken off so much in recent years—in the age of digitalisation, there’s something special about holding your favourite music in your hands. So if you’re looking to buy some of your favourite albums on vinyl, this list of the 10 best record shops in Singapore will come in handy.
Keep in mind, if you’re new to collecting records, you’ll need at least a record player (also known as a turntable) and speakers to get started. For your convenience, this list includes record stores that sell both.
For classics, new releases and record players
Climb up the stairs of a shophouse along Duxton Road and find yourself amid the shelves of vinyl that make up Retrophonic Records. The store is home to a wide variety of records, all neatly categorised according to genres as diverse as classical, jazz, rock, and more. Best of all, their catalogue is pretty up-to-date with the latest music, whether from superstars such as Charli XCX or indie darlings like Adrianne Lenker.
If you’re looking for record players or other equipment, Retrophonic Records has a listening room for you to test them out. But if you’d just like to sample some tunes in the space, the staff are more than happy to let you do so!
Address: 18A Duxton Road, Singapore 089484
Opening hours: 11am to 6pm (Wednesdays to Sundays)
Tel: 6220 8489
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Home to essential albums, new releases and band merch
RetroCrates can also be found in another second-storey shophouse, this time in the swanky Joo Chiat area. The record collection here is full of essentials that you’ll need in your record collection: think John Coltrane, Nina Simone, Pink Floyd, etc. But don’t fret if you aren’t into the classics—there are many contemporary releases from artists of all genres available here. Aside from records, you’ll find turntables, speakers, merch and more, making this a haven for any music fan.
Address: 450A Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427663
Opening hours: 12pm to 6pm (Tuesdays to Fridays) | 11am to 6pm (Saturdays) | 12pm to 5pm (Sundays)
Tel: 8718 7370
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For jazz, classical, and local music
Housed in the Esplanade, The Analog Vault has a wide enough selection that you’ll find something you like regardless of your music preferences. However, the store specialises in jazz, hip-hop, classical, and electronic music, so those whose tastes lean toward the artsier side of things will be right at home here. You’ll also find a number of great records from local acts like Kin Leonn and Subsonic Eye.
Address: 8 Raffles Avenue, #02-10, Esplanade Mall, Singapore 039802
Opening hours: 1pm to 8pm (Mondays to Saturdays) | 1pm to 6pm (Sundays)
Tel: 9026 5215
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Oldest vinyl store with wide selection of genres
Having been around since 1962, Roxy Records & Trading is one of the oldest record stores in Singapore. The range of records here is impressive, with obscure LPs from the 60s stacked alongside the latest Billie Eilish or Laufey albums. Rock and metal enthusiasts, in particular, will find the selection here especially impressive.
Address: 5 Coleman Street, #02-15, Excelsior Shopping Centre, Singapore 179805
Opening hours: 2:30pm to 8:30pm, daily
Tel: 6337 7783
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For Japanese records and obscure albums
Located in the same mall as Roxy Records, Vinyl Kakis has one of the more niche record collections on this list. You’ll notice that they have plenty of Japanese music, spanning from retro city pop by Tatsuro Yamashita to zany Sheena Ringo albums. Those who are into more abrasive, experimental music will find some gems here, too.
Address: 5 Coleman Street, #B1-28, Excelsior Shopping Centre, Singapore 179805
Opening hours: 12:30pm to 7:30pm (Mondays to Saturdays)
Tel: 9362 5731
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Anything from pop hits to rock modern classics
Curated Records’ aesthetically pleasing space and huge variety of records means you can spend hours digging through its shelves. You’ll find anything from pop albums to indie rock favourites, as well as a good number of deeper cuts and film soundtracks. The store seems well-stocked with modern classics, too, including those of Björk, Radiohead, MF Doom and more.
Address: 766A North Bridge Road, Singapore 198734
Opening hours: 12pm to 8pm (Tuesdays to Sundays)
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Vintage records, turntables, and other audio equipment
With anything from Daft Punk to David Bowie in its collection, Zenn Audio Electronic is a great record store in the East. There are plenty of vintage and pre-owned options here, so bargain hunters are likely to find something they’ll love. The store is also one of the best spots to pick up the gear needed to play your records, with a wide selection of turntables, speakers, and amplifiers available.
Address: 292 Bedok Road, Bedok Shopping Complex, Singapore 469448
Opening hours: 12pm to 8pm (Mondays to Thursdays) | 12pm to 6pm (Fridays) | 2pm to 8pm (Saturdays to Sundays)
Website
For the oldies, especially Cantonese, Mandarin, and Hokkien releases
Not to be confused with the aforementioned Roxy Records & Trading, Roxy Disc House is a popular haunt among record lovers in The Adelphi, a mall known for its abundance of record stores. Though you’ll find a good number of international releases here, Roxy Disc House has an amazing lineup of Cantonese, Mandarin, and even Hokkien releases from artists such as Jacky Cheung and Kit Chan.
Address: 1 Coleman Street, #03-41/42, The Adelphi, Singapore 179803
Opening hours: 1pm to 7pm (Mondays to Saturdays) | 2pm to 7pm (Sundays)
Website | Facebook
New releases, repressings, and second-hand gems
With fresh shipments arriving frequently, Hear Records in Burlington Square has all the hot releases and repressings you could want, whether by Mitski or Metallica. And if you’re looking for some second-hand gems, know that Hear Records has a collection that numbers in the thousands.
Address: 175B Bencoolen Street, #01-18, Burlington Square, Singapore 189651
Opening hours: 11am to 7:30pm (Mondays to Saturdays) | 12pm to 6pm (Sundays)
Tel: 6221 3221
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Home to thousands of vintage records
With tens of thousands of records in this store, Red Point Record Warehouse is a real treasure trove. Those who are into vintage picks will be particularly satisfied with the collection here, featuring everything from jazz legends like Sonny Rollins to C-pop icons such as Teresa Teng. You’ll also find a sizeable range of CDs and cassette tapes here as well.
Address: 80 Playfair Road, #06-11, Kapo Factory Building Block B, Singapore 367998
Opening hours: 11am to 6pm (Thursdays to Sundays)
Tel: 6383 3955
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All of these record stores are worth a visit, so try to explore as many as you can—you’ll have the best chance of finding records you love!
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This story is written by Enze Kay.
Cover Image: Source, Unsplash
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