8 Best Boston Record Stores (Chosen by a Rock DJ)

I’ve been a rock DJ in Boston for over 25 years. So you can trust my cred when it comes to choosing the best Boston record stores.

 

I grew up in the suburbs: Greenwood, in Wakefield. North Shore, baby. So the first record stores I frequented were at Strawberries on Rt. 1 in Saugus and Coconuts at Redstone Plaza in Reading.

 

Wait, scratch that. I forgot. My first-ever record buying experience was at Lechemere. The one they named the Green Line stop after. My mom let me buy a Human League 7″ there when I was 6.

 

 

Flash-forward to college. It’s the mid-’90s. I’m an undergrad at Northeastern University, blocks away from Newbury St., where there are three of the best Boston records stores crammed into the first block alone.

 

The legendary Tower Records on the corner of Mass Ave. and Newbury St. The OG Newbury Comics just a few doors down. And used-music mecca CD Spins right before the corner of Hereford St.

 

I spent countless hours and untold dollars ping-ponging between those three. I bought CDs, used and new. 45s to fuel my radio show on WRBB. And all the Smashing Pumpkins imports I could find (and afford).

 

Best Boston Record Stores: A Quick Definition

Two of those three go-to shops are now gone. And the last one standing is in a new space. Of course that one makes my list, as it continues to be a Boston mecca for record collectors.

 

Before we dive in, though, that quick definition. When I use the term “Boston,” it means “Boston-area” with regards to this list. Boston, Allston, Cambridge, Somerville, Jamaica Plain. Represent.

 

Oh, and I can’t believe I forgot to mention Looney Tunes at the corner of Mass Ave. and Boylston St.! Another ’90s staple. Good news, though. They reopened! New location. It’s on my list of best Boston record stores below.

• Newbury Comics, Boston

  I celebrate the entire Newbury Comics catalog. But the flagship shop on Newbury St. will always hold a special place in my heart. And now that they’re in the old Converse store location, it’s three floors of fun. Records in the basement. That’s where you’ll find me.

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• Nuggets, Boston

  Kenmore Square has changed so much in the last two decades. But Nuggets is still there, a beacon to older, simpler days. Hey, you know if legendary Boston hardcore band SSD is posting about the shop and the ‘hood it’s the genuine article.

  SS Decontrol (SSD) on Instagram: "Back in the day Kenmore Square was a great place to meet and hang with friends. There were two decent pizza places: Pizza Pad and Captain Nemo's. There was Souper Salad and the Rat and the Deli Haus and Narcissus (a disco and later metal club) and Nuggets and Charlie's. Something was always happening. When Boston University and big money moved in, Kenmore changed. It lost its personality, its affordability, its fun. Christine McCarthy, Pat Raftery, Chris Foley, and Al at Pizza Pad 1982. Photo by Gail Rush. . #oldschoolhardcorepunk #oldschoolhardstyle #punk #punkrock #punkphotography #punkhistory #historyofpunk #punk #punkrock #oldschoolpunk #oldschoolhardcore #oldschoolhardcorepunk #ssdecontrol #straightedge #bostonhardcore #bostonhardcorepunk #bostoncrew #oldschoolhardstyle #ssd #punkphotography #punkhistory #historyofpunk #straightedgehardcore #xclaim #xclaimrecords #howmuchartcanyoutake #trustrecords #kenmoresquare #pizzapad"

  535 likes, 9 comments - ssdecontrolofficial on December 5, 2023: "Back in the day Kenmore Square was a great place to meet and hang with friends. There were two decent pizza places: Pizza Pad and Captain...".

• Looney Tunes, Allston

  Once upon a time, Looney Tunes sat just outside the intersection of Mass Ave. and Boylston St. Their logo featured Howard the Duck from the ’70s Marvel comics (and ’80s movie). The shop was reborn in Allston in 2017. And Howard’s still on the logo.

  Looney Tunes Allston on Instagram: "OPEN TUE-SUN 12-8:30pm #liljon #bustarhymes #hiphop #vinyl"

  17 likes, 2 comments - looneytunesallston on April 9, 2024: "OPEN TUE-SUN 12-8:30pm #liljon #bustarhymes #hiphop #vinyl".

• Deep Thoughts, Jamaica Plain

  This is the one shop I haven’t paid a visit to…yet. You see, they’re big on The Dead. And that’s so not my jam. If it’s your jam, be sure to pay them a visit. Because their spot looks fun as hell, especially if you’re of the psychedelic mind.

  Deep Thoughts JP on Instagram: "It's the crack of 11am and we're open!"

  111 likes, 0 comments - deepthoughtsjp on April 6, 2024: "It's the crack of 11am and we're open!".

• Cheapo Records, Cambridge

  Right in the heart of Mental, er, Central Square, Cambridge. I was in Cheapo recently and I was floored by not just by their record collection, but of their deep stacks of CDs. Especially ’90s alternative rock. If that’s your scene, make Cheapo your destination.

  Cheapo Records on Instagram: "Record store day is this Saturday 4/20! We will be carrying a lot of the RSD releases as well as putting out a bunch of cool rare records like these! * * Got records you'd like to sell? We buy everyday. All genres, All formats. Top prices paid. * * #rsd2024 #recordstoreday #bobseger #pharoahsanders #freejazz #rock #velvetunderground #nico #rarerecords #recordsforsale #buyselltrade #vinylhaul #boston #bostonvintage #vinyl #vinyls #vinylcollector #records #recordstore #cheapo #rarevinyl"

  59 likes, 2 comments - cheaporecords on April 16, 2024: "Record store day is this Saturday 4/20! We will be carrying a lot of the RSD releases as well as putting out a bunch of cool rare records...".

• Armageddon, Cambridge

  Armageddon has two shops to their name: one near Harvard Square in Cambridge and another in Providence, RI. They specialize in heavy music: metal, hardcore, punk. Let’s use a colon in this last sentence, too: records, tapes, merch. Get into it.

  Armageddon Shop on Instagram: "Tape wall is packed. Both shops Open until 6pm all weekend. - #armageddon #armageddonshop #recordstore #cassette #cassettetapes #cassettes #vinyl #cdcollection #punkhardcore #heavymetal #blackmetal #boston #providence #beherit #slayer #savagemaster #immortal #acidwitch #tyrantband"

  247 likes, 2 comments - armageddonshop on July 15, 2023: "Tape wall is packed. Both shops Open until 6pm all weekend. - #armageddon #armageddonshop #recordstore #cassette #cassettetapes #casse...".

• Vinyl Index, Somerville

  You’ll find Vinyl Index in Somerville’s Bow Market. And depending on the time of year and if the Market has a big event going on, they’ll bring their crates of used records out for open-air shopping. It’s a singular experience and always worth your time.

  vinyl index. on Instagram: "Here's a couple quick pics from our boy @isthiscarter from our last Plastic Dreams all vinyl dance party. Our next Plastic Dreams is Friday April 26 at Satellite by @remnantbrewing 🛰️ JOIN US! 😊 #plasticdreamsparty #bostondj #vinylparty"

  126 likes, 3 comments - vinylindex on April 9, 2024: "Here's a couple quick pics from our boy @isthiscarter from our last Plastic Dreams all vinyl dance party. Our next Plastic Dreams is Fr...".

• Wanna Hear It Records, Watertown

  Much like Armageddon, Wanna Hear It is a bit of a specialty shop. If you’re genres of choice are emo, punk, hardcore, and indie, they’re selling what you want to buy. And they’re super active on IG, constantly updating with new releases and new-to-the-bins used records.

  Wanna Hear It Records on Instagram: "Triple B restocks and new releases! Think I Care are one of Boston's greats! Awesome to have these available again!! #triplebrecords"

  81 likes, 1 comments - wannahearitrecords on April 14, 2024: "Triple B restocks and new releases! Think I Care are one of Boston's greats! Awesome to have these available again!! #triplebrecords".