An (up to date) detailed list of record stores recommended by a Nashville resident of over 25 years.
There is a reason it’s called Music City, USA.
Nashville, and its surrounding cities, are packed with great record stores. I think a new one pop ups monthly.
I’ve lived in Nashville for over 25 years now and have seen the city’s growth in many areas, but none more than great record stores.
Most city guides will point you to stores within city limits, but I wanted to provide a list of stores in surrounding counties for anyone like me who doesn’t mind a 30 minute drive to stumble on some great records.
Below you will find a list of record stores in Nashville and beyond. This list isn’t in any particular order, as each store has their own unique presence. I make a point to swing by as many as possible because I never know what I’ll find in their bins.
This list doesn’t include a lot of great antique stores where sellers have booths with used records for sale. If you are visiting Nashville and see an antique store, there’s a good chance there will be a record section to flip through as well.
Also, our friends at Just Audio, produced a video series touring a handful of record stores and Nashville was one of their first stops. Where possible, we included a video clip from their tour to give you an idea of what those stores offer. Be sure to follow their YouTube page for videos on vintage gear and more.
I think this is an exhaustive list that will be continually updated as more stores open!
See a quick hit list of stores below, followed by a description of why we love each after the break!
The 15 Best Record Stores In Nashville Are:
- Grimey’s New and Pre-Loved Music
- Vinyl Tap
- The Groove
- Luna Records
- Phonoluxe
- Great Escape
- Luna Record Shop
- Third Man Records
- Alison’s Record Shop
- McKay’s Nashville
Viv and Dickey’s(Closed)- Disk Go Joe’s
- Elevator Vinyl
Ernest Tubb Record Shop(Closed)- JTB’s Groovy Record Room
- Collect Co. (formerly Lebanon Antique Mall)
- The Green Ray
Grimey’s New and Pre-loved Music
1060 E Trinity Ln, Nashville, TN 37216
I’ve been shopping at Grimey’s since the store was located in a small house in Berry Hill, including the many years they were located off 8th Ave and now at their most recent location in East Nashville.
Grimey’s always has a healthy selection of new and used vinyl. If you’re like me and buy a lot of music at once, you’ll be happy with their pricing for used vinyl. The new location has a small stage where in store performances by some of the biggest artists are often held. Downstairs has a small bookstore as well.
Vinyl Tap
2038 Greenwood Ave, Nashville, TN 37206
Vinyl Tap is also located in East Nashville and has the benefit of having a full bar to complement your record shopping adventures. The overall selection of vinyl is mostly new releases, but there is always a bin or two full of used records to flip through as well.
With some of the friendliest bartenders in town, it makes sense to wind your day full of record shopping down at Vinyl Tap as they are open the latest and often have artists or DJ performing in the evenings. You can shop for records, order some food and drink and relax before heading home.
The Groove
1103 Calvin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206
One thing that makes Nashville unique is the close location of three record stores, all in East Nashville. You can easily shop at Grimey’s, Vinyl Tap and The Groove, all in one afternoon.
The Groove has a healthy selection of new and used vinyl, as well as CDs and cassettes! My usual tour starts at Grimey’s, then swing by the Groove and finish up at Vinyl Tap where I can enjoy a cold one.
Phonoluxe Records Music & Movies
2609 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211
Phonoluxe was one of the first stores I visited when I moved to Nashville in 1996. In those days, the store was open seven days a week. Currently, the store is only open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Phonoluxe specializes in used vinyl, CDs and cassettes. I can easily spend a few hours looking through their used inventory. If you’re looking for new releases, other stores on this list will be for you, but if you enjoy digging through crates of used records, you’ll love Phonoluxe.
Great Escape
5400 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209
105 Gallatin Pike N, Madison, TN 37115
810 NW Broad St #202, Murfreesboro, TN
Great Escape has three locations in Tennessee and two in Kentucky. The Charlotte Ave location is the closest to downtown Nashville, followed by the Madison store. If you’re interested in a 30+ mile drive, there is also a store in Murfreesboro.
Great Escape used to have a location near downtown on Broadway. I frequented that store often during college and found a lot of great used records there. Today, each Great Escape store has a healthy mix of new and used vinyl as well as CDs and cassettes.
Even better, Great Escape stores are packed with video games, Pokemon cards, comic books and more.
Luna Record Shop
230 Franklin Rd #12d, Franklin, TN 37064
Nashville record stores reach further than just the city proper and Luna Record Shop, located in the Factory in Franklin, TN, is one of my favorites. Owned by sisters, Brenna and Calvert, this is the store with the best used 90s rock records with a wall always stacked with hard to find alternative and grunge releases. I always find great original pressings and limited edition releases at Luna and never leave without a giant stack of records.
Luna is one of the smaller stores on this list, but they sell a wonderful curated selection of new and used records. The store is located inside the Factory which has other artisan stores, restaurants, coffee shops and more, so if you’re taking your family with you, this is a good place for them to explore while you are flipping through records at Luna.
Third Man Records
623 7th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
I tell friends that Third Man is the Willy Wonka of record stores in Nashville. Founded in 2001, Third Man is a record label owned by Jack White of the The White Stripes who opened the facilities here in Nashville in 2009. Everything about Third Man is unique and it’s a must see for tourists. The store is located near downtown and very easy to get to if you are staying in a hotel in Nashville’s downtown area.
The Third Man store is quaint and specializes in selling Third Man items. So it’s not so much a “record store” as it is a gift shop of sorts. It reminds me of touring the Stax Museum or Sun Studios in Memphis and at the end of each tour, there is a gift shop packed with great memorabilia to take home. The store also has several interesting vintage machines, including a Voice-a-Graph, that can record up to two minutes of audio on a disc. A must see when shopping in Nashville.
Alison’s Record Shop
994A Davidson Dr, Nashville, TN 37205
Alison’s is about a 15 minute drive down I-40 from Nashville, TN. If you are looking for hard to find, rare pressings, Alison’s is the store for you. This is the store that has the great early pressings of all your favorite classic rock titles and they even have a hi-fi store located next door.
If you like digging dollar bins or cheap crates, the next store on the list, further down I-40, might be for you. But if you like finding an early pressing of Sgt Peppers in NM condition, definitely visit Alison’s.
McKay’s Nashville
636 Old Hickory Blvd, Nashville, TN 37209
After visiting Alison’s, just travel 3 miles further down I-40 and arrive at the mecca that is McKay’s Nashville. I love McKay’s for a few reasons, the first being that it’s a huge store that sells everything from books to DVDs to video games.
It’s easy to spend two or more hours just looking at everything. Second, they have a large selection of used CDs as well as records if you like the digital discs as well.
Third, you never know what record you’ll find and at what price when visiting McKay’s. I’ve found rare records for a few dollars while common records go for $30. Some people complain about the inconsistency in pricing, but I find it amusing. If you are shopping along with kids, they will love McKay’s and if you love books like I do, you will be in heaven.
Viv and Dickey’s – CLOSED
1262 Jackson Felts Rd, Joelton, TN 37080
If you’re interested in driving about 20 minutes north from Downtown Nashville, be sure to check out Viv and Dickey’s in Joelton, one of the area’s newest stores. What makes Viv and Dickey’s stand out from other stores near Nashville is they specialize in vintage clothing as well as other ephemera and vintage items along with their music selection.
Viv and Dickey’s also has one of the best used cassette collections in town if you need some great tapes for your deck at home. They have a healthy selection of used and new vinyl as well. It’s near impossible to not find something for everyone in the family when shopping here.
Disk Go Joe’s
211A N Main St, Goodlettsville, TN 37072
Goodlettsville is located just north of Nashville and is a pretty easy drive up I-65. This is where you will find Disk Go Joe’s another great store on the outskirts of Nashville. The store specializes in used vinyl at great prices with a friendly owner always looking to help you find whatever it is you’re looking for.
Elevator Vinyl
115 Sanders Ferry Rd, Hendersonville, TN 37075
Elevator Vinyl is located about 20 miles outside of downtown Nashville, in Hendersonville, TN. Elevator is a well curated store where I always find lots of great 80/90s era records and disco/dance singles. If you don’t mind the drive the Hendersonville, Elevator is a great shop for used records.
Ernest Tubb Record Shop – CLOSED
417 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
If you’re looking for country music on vinyl and are located downtown during your stay, simply walk over to Broadway and visit Ernest Tubb’s Record Shop. The store was founded in 1947 and has survived the ups and downs of Nashville’s popularity over the years. The store specializes in country and bluegrass records but if you’re visiting the downtown area, it’s a wonderful historic shop to walk through.
JTB’s Groovy Record Room
3712 TN-76, Cottontown, TN 37048
Located in Cottontown, TN, JTB’s is a cozy little record store “shack” behind a house. Here you will most likely find the store owner picking a banjo on the front porch and are guaranteed good musical conversation while shopping his inventory. Check out more information in the video below!
Collect Co (formerly Lebanon Antique Mall)
101 Short St, Lebanon, TN 37087
If you don’t mind a 30+ minute drive outside of Nashville, Collect Co. has a large selection of used and new records. If you like shopping from home, be sure to like their Facebook page in the link above as they have weekly auctions where you can buy directly through Facebook and they will ship to you.
The Green Ray
TBD
The Green Ray is currently relocating, so check the link above for updated address. If you are a book lover, The Green Ray is a must to check out.
For records, The Green Ray specializes in mostly new releases distributed by Light In The Attic Records. They may have more room for used records at their new location, we can’t wait to find out!
Before you go…
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If you are willing to drive a little you should check out SPINNERS RECORD SHOP in Spring Hill TN. Great selection lots of hard to find vinyl vintage t-shirts and jewelry well worth the trip