Underground Vinyl is one of those satisfying Chiswick discoveries where the best bit is just out of sight — you step into a long-standing bookshop on the High Road, then head downstairs to find racks of records and a steady flow of local music lovers.
Background / History
Underground Vinyl opened in spring 2022 after the team at Bookcase London converted their basement into a dedicated record space, complete with a new staircase and a fresh fit-out.
The shop was originally run day-to-day by Giulia Tonci Russo, who helped shape its early identity around broad, curiosity-led browsing and the idea of building a community where people talk about music rather than “shop by algorithm”.
By 2023, the record side was being run by Dan Coombes and David Szunyog (both part of the wider Bookcase team), keeping the same open-door approach while continuing to build out the racks across genres and eras.
What You’ll Find
Underground Vinyl’s strength is its range: it started with an emphasis on classic rock and pop, alongside soul, R&B, jazz and funk, and it’s expanded into a genuinely mixed spread that can include reggae, folk and even opera and classical nestled alongside the familiar staples.
It’s a shop where second-hand is central, with new titles also in the mix — ideal if you like the thrill of pre-loved surprises but still want the option of a clean, giftable pressing.
Jazz and blues tend to move quickly, and the staff are used to people popping in with specific names in mind as well as those who just want to leaf through and see what turns up.
Experience / Atmosphere
Because it sits beneath a bookshop, Underground Vinyl naturally feels like part of a wider independent-culture hub: you can browse records, wander back upstairs, and leave with a paperback as easily as an LP.
The vibe is deliberately welcoming — the emphasis is on zero judgement, whether you’re hunting for a rare blues reissue, replacing a long-lost classic, or buying your very first turntable-friendly record.
There’s also a practical, collector-minded streak: the shop buys and sells vinyl, and conversations often turn to condition, playable value and the small details that can make a pressing more interesting than it first appears.
Why Visit
A proper browseable selection spanning rock, pop, soul, R&B, jazz, blues, reggae, folk and classical.
Strong second-hand turnover, so the racks can reward repeat visits.
A friendly, non-intimidating approach that suits newcomers as much as long-time collectors.
The bookshop setting makes it a lovely two-in-one stop for music and reading.
A handy local option for selling records, from a few LPs to larger collections.
Summary
Underground Vinyl is a smart addition to Chiswick’s independent high street: a downstairs record room with big-genre energy, anchored by Bookcase’s community feel. Whether you’re after fast-moving jazz and blues, a classic-rock staple, or a curveball find you didn’t know you needed, it’s the sort of shop that makes browsing feel like a small ritual worth repeating.
