Brighton is one of the best places in the UK to go record shopping. Most of the city’s independent shops sit within a short walk of each other in and around the North Laine, a few minutes from Brighton station, with more in central Brighton, Kemptown and along Western Road in Hove. You will find new releases, second-hand crates, a label shop and specialists in dance music, punk and metal, soundtracks and classical. This guide picks out where to start and groups the shops by area. For the full, always up-to-date list with opening hours and maps, see record shops in Brighton and record shops in Hove.
Three to start with
Resident, Kensington Gardens. A good first stop for new releases and reissues, with deep catalogue stock across rock, indie, electronic and jazz, plus CDs and books. In the heart of the North Laine at 28 Kensington Gardens, BN1 4AL. See the Resident listing
The Record Album, Terminus Road. Brighton’s oldest record shop, open since 1948 and known above all for film soundtracks and theatre recordings, alongside second-hand records of all kinds. At 8 Terminus Road, BN1 3PD, just up from the station, so an easy first or last stop. See The Record Album listing
104 Trafalgar Street: three shops in one building. Rarekind Records, Middle Floor Records (UK bass, dubstep, grime, garage, house, techno and disco) and RK Bass Records (jungle, drum and bass, dubstep and old skool hardcore) share one address. The obvious stop for DJs and dance music collectors. Rarekind, Middle Floor, RK Bass
Record shops in Brighton and Hove by area
North Laine and Trafalgar Street
- Resident, 28 Kensington Gardens, BN1 4AL. New releases, reissues and catalogue across rock, indie, electronic and jazz, plus CDs and books.
- Dream Street Records, 3 Kensington Place, BN1 4EJ. Queer-centred record shop selling new and used vinyl, CDs, cassettes, books, magazines, gifts and games.
- Bella Union Vinyl Shop, 6-7 Gloucester Street, BN1 4EW. Label shop stocked almost entirely from the Bella Union catalogue: vinyl, CDs, cassettes, signed copies and merch, with coffee.
- Across the Tracks, 110 Gloucester Road, BN1 4AF. Second-hand-heavy shop with deep LP racks, singles and 12-inch boxes from rock and soul to reggae, jazz and hip-hop.
- The Wax Factor, 29 Tidy Street, BN1 4EL. Densely packed second-hand vinyl, CDs, books and DVDs, with a strong singles focus.
- Hellride Records, 8 Foundry Street, BN1 4AT. Hardcore, punk and metal shop, formerly Godzilla Records: new and pre-loved vinyl, tapes and merch.
- Rarekind Records, 104 Trafalgar Street, BN1 4ER. Records across a wide range of genres, at the base of the three-shop building.
- Middle Floor Records, 104 Trafalgar Street, BN1 4ER. New and second-hand dance vinyl: UK bass, dubstep, grime, garage, house, techno and disco.
- RK Bass Records, 104 Trafalgar Street, BN1 4ER. Jungle, drum and bass, dubstep and old skool hardcore, with promos, rare pre-owned records and DJ accessories.
- Stall 7 Records, Snooper’s Paradise, 7-8 Kensington Gardens, BN1 4AL. Record stall inside Snooper’s Paradise selling new and second-hand vinyl.
- Vinyl Selecter, Marshalls Row, BN1 4JU. Vinyl across many genres and eras, from rock and pop to jazz, soul and dance.
Station, central Brighton and Kemptown
- The Record Album, 8 Terminus Road, BN1 3PD. Brighton’s oldest record shop, open since 1948: soundtracks, theatre recordings and second-hand vinyl across genres.
- Cult Hero, 16 Brighton Place, BN1 1HJ. New and classic vinyl across genres, plus affordable posters and prints.
- The Vinyl Curtain, 47a St James’s Street, BN2 1RG. Second-hand vinyl run by DJ Billy Nasty, from indie, rock, funk, soul and jazz to electronic dance music. Much of its trade is online, so check opening hours before you go.
Hove
- Beat The Clock, 68 Western Road, BN3 2JQ. Second-hand vinyl, CDs, singles, cassettes and bargain bins, with a downstairs events room.
- Capsule Records, 37 Western Road, BN3 1AF. Hand-picked LPs across soul, jazz, disco, electronica and hip-hop, plus African funk, Japanese jazz and modern classical.
- Fine Records, 32 George Street, BN3 3YB. Classical specialist: new and pre-owned classical CDs and second-hand classical LPs, plus jazz.
- Mrs Canuticacq’s Emporium, 28 Stirling Place, BN3 3YU. Two floors of second-hand punk, metal, jazz, classic rock and classical, with Mick’s Music upstairs for reggae.
- Uptight Records, 178 Sackville Road, BN3 7AL. Vinyl across genres, from classics to new releases.
Record shops near Brighton
- Lewes: Union Music Store
- Shoreham-by-Sea: Retrorama
- Worthing: record shops in Worthing
- Eastbourne: record shops in Eastbourne
Frequently asked questions
How many record shops are there in Brighton?
Our directory lists 14 record shops in Brighton and 5 in Hove, plus Stall 7 Records in the North Laine. Most are within walking distance of each other. The Brighton listings page always has the current count.
Where is the best area for record shopping in Brighton?
The North Laine. Resident, Dream Street, Bella Union, Across the Tracks, The Wax Factor, Hellride, Stall 7 and the three shops at 104 Trafalgar Street are all a short walk apart, and The Record Album is by the station.
Where can I buy dance music or DJ vinyl in Brighton?
Try 104 Trafalgar Street, where Middle Floor Records and RK Bass Records share a building with Rarekind Records.
Are there specialist record shops in Brighton?
Yes. Hellride Records for punk, hardcore and metal; The Record Album for soundtracks and theatre recordings; Bella Union Vinyl Shop for the Bella Union label catalogue; and Fine Records in Hove for classical music.
Where can I sell my records in Brighton?
The Record Album buys records and will arrange an appointment if you have a collection to sell. Other shops may also buy second-hand records, so contact them before you go.
Which Brighton shops take part in Record Store Day?
Record Store Day takes place every April. Check the official list at recordstoreday.co.uk for participating shops before you go.
Shop details checked October 2026. Spotted a change? Let us know.
