“Do You Have This on Vinyl?”

From New Releases to Obscure LPs, Here’s Where to Get Your Records

Special IssueMark Di Franco — Published September 5, 2017

Whether you’re a music fanatic, collector, concertgoer or you just like the feeling of vinyl in your hands, these shops are sure to tickle your fancy.

La Fin du Vinyle (The Death of Vinyl)
6307 St. Laurent Blvd

This ironically-named apartment record shop offers a wide selection of music on a variety of platforms (check out the 8-track cassettes). Secondhand is first priority here.

“The record the customer has has got the DNA of someone who has listened to it the day it came out,” store owner Dan Hadley explains.

Plus, there’s another intimate record shop tucked away inside, called La Rama Records, which specializes in obscure techno, jazz, and mixtapes.

Cheap Thrills
2044 Metcalfe St.

Established in 1971, Cheap Thrills is a 10-minute walk from Concordia’s downtown campus. It’s a great escape from school if you want to go browse some records for a little while. The store offers an eclectic selection of vinyls both new and used, CDs, and concert tickets. Just make sure you walk into the store and not accidentally into the fancy restaurant underneath.

Aux 33 Tours
1373 Mont-Royal Ave. E.

If you’re looking for a very specific vinyl or CD, then this is the place for you. The store sells Japanese pressings of vinyls and CDs for those attuned to the better sound quality that the specialty pressings offer.

“The vinyl record is more appealing,” co-owner Nathan Caskey says. “Holding the object in your hands, admiring the cover and reading the liner notes.”

Aux 33 Tours is also a staple destination to buy concert tickets.

Beatnick Records
3770 St. Denis St.

Beatnick is a great basement shop to visit if you are want to spend the better part of an afternoon endlessly browsing. The records and CDs may be pricey, depending on condition and where the music is imported from, but that shouldn’t stop you from checking out the shop’s extensive collection.

Sound Central
4486 Coloniale Ave.

Half record shop, half concert venue, Sound Central is a groovy record shop. The store hosts punk-rock concerts by night, and sell vinyls, cassettes and CDs by day. Bonus points if you can find the record of the band that just played.