10 NOLA Music and Records Stores
We're living in an age where music is more accessible than
ever. You can simply open a streaming app on your phone or visit a video
website on your computer to hear pretty much any song that's ever been
recorded. The easy access to music, however, may leave you feeling unsatisfied.
There's nothing like heading down to the record shop and spending time poring
over hundreds of albums to find that perfect piece of music from local next gen musicians or the classics.
These New Orleans record shops keep the ritual of music listenership alive. Don't be surprised when you find something that you can't help but take home.
1. Louisiana Music Factory
421 Frenchmen St., (504) 586-1094
louisianamusicfactory.com
Located not too far from the French Market in the French Quarter, Louisiana Music Factory is a one-stop shop for music lovers while in New Orleans. From CDs and vinyls to even sheet music, this shop has so much to look at and purchase.
DVDs, books, posters, t-shirts, gifts, New Orleans Jazz Museum merch, and more music memorabilia are available. Make sure to visit Louisiana Music Factory's website to see what they currently have on sale.
2. The Mushroom
1037 Broadway St., (504) 866-6065
themushroomnola.com
Since 1969, The Mushroom has been New Orleans' oldest and favorite record, smoke, and gift shop. There is so much on offer in that shop, including CBD, e-cigs, pipes, toys & games, hat pins, shirts, wall decorations, and more.
On the music side, the store offers new CDs and LPs, as well as record and cassette players, amplifiers, speakers, and more. Check out The Mushroom's website to see everything that they have available for purchase.
3. Peaches Records
4318 Magazine St., (504) 282-3322
peachesrecordsneworleans.com
With multiple decades under its belt, Peaches Records is a go-to Uptown record shop for locals who are looking for a variety of different music. The store has a lot of genres of CDs and vinyls to choose from ranging from jazz and local music to rock, metal, and everything in between.
In addition to its large musical selection, it also offers shirts, DVDs, and many other kinds of memorabilia to purchase. Head on over to Peaches Records and get a taste of their charm while there.
4. Old Arabi Lighthouse Records & Books
234 Mehle St., Arabi, (504) 264-2891
facebook.com
Nestled in a self-described "funky" purple building in Arabi, Old Arabi Lighthouse Records & Books offers a solid selection of vinyls for anyone's tastes. Known for their impressive supply of New Orleans jazz and blues records, the spot also contains vintage collectables and memorabilia from music and film.
There's surely something here to suit anyone's fancy, but especially music and pop culture lovers. Check them out today and potentially find your next treasure or favorite album.
5. Sisters in Christ Records
5206 Magazine St., (504) 510-4379
sistersinchrist.space
There's a little red brick building on a tree-shaded section of Magazine Street and inside is Sisters in Christ. This isn't a convent; this is a record shop where you're going to find more intriguing, obscure, and sometimes extreme music and literature. Needless to say, this isn't the place to come to get Record Store Day releases by the biggest pop stars.
You may also be enticed to check out their available cassettes. You'll find brand new cassettes (yes, they still make those), and there's plenty of vintage cassettes that make great gifts. Make time for the books, t-shirts, and other interesting merch.
6. NOLA Mix Records
1522 Magazine St., (504) 345-2138
nolamix.com
NOLA Mix Records is more than just a record store. Back in 2011, NOLA Mix was a music production program that taught school children how to DJ and produce music. The shop came into being around 2015, but NOLA Mix still strives to spread knowledge of music making. Inquire on the website or in person about DJ lessons and beat making classes.
The store boasts all kinds of albums that patrons love to slowly peruse. The curated vinyl box sets include hand-picked records according to the genres that you like.
7. Domino Sound Record Shack
2557 Bayou Rd., (504) 309-0871
dominosoundrecords.com
Domino Sound Record Shack is one of the older shops on this list, having opened in 2007 when the city was still rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina. Domino Sound has served the community by keeping a wide selection of all kinds of music, including rock, hip hop, soul, and punk, just to name a few.
Domino Sound is very proud of their reggae albums. In fact, Domino Sound stated, "We have, what we believe to be, the largest selection of reggae 45s and LPs in the South." Beyond reggae, this store features all kinds of international music that the staff would love to introduce you to, so prepare to have your musical horizons expanded.
8. Euclid Records
3301 Chartres St., (504) 947-4348
euclidrecordsneworleans.com
A lot of locals will tell you that Euclid Records is truly the best record store in town. It's located in the Bywater neighborhood (right next to one of the best pizza restaurants in the city), it has two floors of new and used vinyl albums, CDs, and so much more. They occasionally host live events and artisans, so nothing is ever stale.
If you don't have a ton of time to stop by and spend a few hours browsing, you can check out their social media to see the new arrivals always coming into the shop. Even though the albums are labeled as "new," sometimes they are high-quality re-issues of amazing older albums.
9. Basin Street Records
5500 Prytania St. #110, (504) 483-0002
basinstreetrecords.com
A storied vinyl shop and recording studio, Basin Street Records began promotions for their first project in 1996, recording the live performance of Kermit Ruffins' The Barbecue Swingers Live at Tipitina's. In 1998, they would produce that record, starting the trend of artists' ascent to fame through Tipitina's. The space has also hosted multiple Grammy-winning artists and, most especially, sells records itself.
The vinyl selection at Basin Street Records is focused mostly on New Orleans-based artists produced by the studio, featuring jazz, blues, funk, rhythm and blues, and rock. The store even offers several vinyl bundles, including the "Mardi Gras Vinyl Bundle" and the "Jazz Fest Vinyl Bundle." Check out the spot today and buy some records, or even create your own!
10. Nuthin But Fire Records
1840 N. Claiborne Ave., (504) 342-6977
facebook.com/nuthinbutfirerecordsNO
As its name promises, you're sure to find bangers, jams, and hits at Nuthin But Fire Records. This store doesn't stop there, though. Nuthin But Fire is also a record label, created and owned by local musician Sess 4-5, and is made to support the careers of New Orleans' most talented rappers.
Stop by Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., as well as Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. to find a record from your next favorite rapper, or even ask about producing your own.
Where to Get Records in New Orleans
If you pay a visit to one or more of these local record
shops, you're not only supporting small locally-owned businesses, you're
supporting the artists that make that wonderful music. Buying albums is a great
way to let your favorite musician or band continue making music for you. And it's
way more satisfying than opening up an app!
Did we miss the best record shop in New Orleans? Let us know
what it is!
