Background / History
Occupying a handsome Victorian corner building on West Norwood’s high street, The Book and Record Bar is the work of Michael Johnson, a lifelong collector who spent decades amassing records and books before turning that passion into a shop. He began by selling from a stall at the local Feast market, and when demand outgrew the pitch he took on the old Gypsy Queen, an 1870s pub that had sat empty for years. The shop opened in August 2013 and kept the pub’s original name above the door, a nod to the matriarch of the Romani community that once settled at nearby Gipsy Hill. A contributor to the annual Rare Record Price Guide, Johnson brings genuine expertise to everything on the shelves.
What You’ll Find
The stock spans new and second-hand vinyl alongside a well-chosen selection of books, including rare first editions and collectable titles. Musically the range is broad and deep, taking in soul, jazz, blues, funk, disco, reggae, hip-hop, house, rock and electronica, with psychedelia a particular passion of the owner’s. Prices are fair rather than bargain-bin, reflecting a real knowledge of the market, so seasoned collectors and curious newcomers alike are well looked after. A fully licensed counter sets the shop apart, serving locally roasted Volcano coffee as well as beer, wine, cider and spirits.
Experience / Atmosphere
Browsing here feels closer to visiting a favourite local than a standard retail unit. The tiled frontage and preserved pub character give the room warmth, and there is always the chance of a conversation about a record, an artist or a forgotten label. As Johnson puts it, the coffee sales support the book sales, which in turn support the records, and that easy-going balance defines the place. It is a shop that rewards lingering, with a chair, a coffee and an afternoon spent digging never feeling out of place.
Why Visit
- New and second-hand vinyl across soul, jazz, reggae, funk, psychedelia, punk and more
- Rare and collectable books, including first editions
- A fully licensed bar and locally roasted coffee under one roof
- Regular DJ nights, live bands, comedy and film screenings, with the racks wheeling aside for a dancefloor
- Home to the West Norwood Broadcasting Company, with residents such as Alex Paterson of The Orb
- Expert, knowledgeable ownership rooted in the local community
Summary
The Book and Record Bar is far more than a place to buy records. It is a shop, a bar and a small venue rolled into one, run by someone who knows his stock inside out and has made the space a genuine hub for West Norwood’s music scene. Whether you come to flick through the racks, settle in with a coffee or catch a DJ set on a Friday night, it offers something few record shops can match, and it is well worth the trip south of the river.
