A personal list of my favorite record stores to shop while visiting Austin, TX.
I live in Nashville but love Austin. I’ve been visiting the city for years, attending the annual SXSW festival and even one year getting to return and attend the Austin City Limits Festival as well.
We have friends who live there, including my wife’s roommate from college, so we make it a point to visit Austin regularly. We’ve even taken our twin sons with us to show them around town and introduce them to the “weirdness” of Austin.
Whenever I’m visiting, I make it a point to visit as many records stores as possible. New stores are always popping up (a good thing!) so I’ve made a list of my favorite record stores as well as some new ones that I need to visit next time I’m in Austin.
See below for a list of Austin record stores, in no particular order.
Waterloo Records
600A N. Lamar, Austin, TX 78703
Waterloo is the legendary store I had to visit the very first time I traveled to Austin. I was aware of the store’s history and how important it was to Austin.
Founded in 1982, Waterloo was in existence before the city was known as the “Live Music Capital of the World” and even before SXSW had begun. The original store was only 1,200 square feet and they have since moved in a building almost triple that size.
Waterloo is also known for the legendary in-store performances by artists. I was able to see some Nashville artists perform in the store during SXSW one year and it was a dream come true.
Below is a great video interview with Waterloo’s owner, John Kunz.
End of an Ear
4304 Clawson Rd, Austin, TX 78704
Located in south Austin, End of an Ear was founded in 2005 by Dan Plunkett and Blake Carlisle. Like Waterloo, End of an Ear has a long list of amazing artists who have performed in their store including Yo La Tengo, Thurston Moore and Jason Molina.
This is one of my favorite Austin records stores to shop for used vinyl. There is a healthy selection of genres including those random records I’ve never heard of but might be interested in adding to my collection.
Their staff is very knowledgeable and willing to offer suggestion without feeling like smug record store employees shaming me for buying a common classic rock album.
They have also have a large selection of VHS and DVDs for movie lovers. Also, be sure to shop for their stereo equipment, speakers and turntables!
Antone’s Record Shop
2928 Guadalupe St #101, Austin, TX 78705
Clifford Antone opened his record shop in 1987, after he relocated his famous music venue, Antone’s Nightclub to Guadalupe Street. After Antone’s passing, the store was purchased by long time employees Mike Buck, Forrest Coppock and Eve Monsees.
Antone’s sells new vinyl but specializes in used records of all genres, especially jazz, blues, cajun and zydeco music. The store is also knows for it’s weekly in store events which can be found on their website.
Big Henry’s Vinyl & Gifts
305 E 5th St, Austin, TX 78701
Big Henry’s is attached to Antone’s Nightclub and a great place to shop for t-shirts, posters and gifts along with vinyl.
Be sure to check out their Discogs store as well!
Turntable Records
1903 S 1st St B, Austin, TX 78704
Specializing in Tejano and Conjunto music, this is a tiny little shop filled with records and cassettes.
If you like digging through piles in the hopes of a finding a gem, this is your place.
Sound Gallery
4930 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78745
I love vintage audio gear and vinyl records so a store like Sound Gallery that combines both is a dream come true.
Sound Gallery is part vintage audio gear store and part record store. They have vintage speakers, receivers, turntables and more.
If that’s not enough, they have a full service espresso bar and sell vintage typewriters. I haven’t had a chance to visit Sound Gallery yet but it’s at the top of my list next time I’m Austin.
Living In Stereo
4361 S Congress Ave Unit 107, Austin, TX 78745
I was really hoping to find a YouTube video of Living in Stereo as their website looks like a dream store for fans of stereo gear, records and furniture.
People have told me I should open up a hifi store and if I did, I would want it to look like Living in Stereo’s store.
This is the perfect store to take your partner who might be more interested in shopping for furniture while you browse for records.
BLK Vinyl
2505 E 6th St ste f, Austin, TX 78702
Located on historic 6th Street, BLK Vinyl is pretty easy to see with a large black and white mural on their store front with a whistling cat scratching a vinyl record.
Run by musicians, BLK Vinyl specializes in classic rock and jazz but still has plenty of other genres available to choose from.
BLK opened in 2018 so I’ve yet to get a chance to visit the store. It’s at the top of my list for next time I’m in Austin.
Breakaway Records
211 W N Loop Blvd, Austin, TX 78751
Austin’s record stores do a great job of selling vintage stereo equipment and turntables, including Breakaway Records. They have shelves full of great turntables and receivers for sale in the store.
Founded in 2008, the store specializes in used records featuring genres such as soul, R&B, psych, garage and more.
Exploded Records
4500 Duval St, Austin, TX 78751
I’ve heard of records stores who double as bars or coffee shops, but Exploded Records at Juiceland is the first time I’ve read about a record store inside a juice shop!
This would be the perfect place to take my family…they love smoothies, I love records. It’s a match made in heaven. I can’t wait to visit.
Groovers Paradise
6550 Comanche Trail #213, Austin, TX 78732
Founded in 2014, Greg Ellis just wanted to make funky place where people would remember walking in.
Judging by the wonderful video below, it would appear he’s done just that.
Piranha Records
1208 N I-35 Suite 200, Round Rock, TX, 78681
If you’re up for a 20+ minute drive out of Austin, head to Round Rock and visit Piranha Records.
Piranha is packed with new and used vinyl, CDs, DVDs and clothing.
Check out this great video on Facebook of Pirahna owner, John Alemon talking about the store.
Before you go…
Please sign up for our mailing list below where you will get 15% off any item in our Etsy Store where we sell shirts for analog lovers and gifts for the music lovers in your life.
Also, don’t forget to shop our Discogs Store to purchase used records, CDs and 45s!
