Think layers, not sprawl. Chicago lets you run mini-crawls—Reckless to Shuga, Dusty to 606—without burning a day in transit. Legacy shops keep the history alive; younger spots push the edges. The result is overlap in the best way: dance cuts, classic blues, left-field jazz, indie and import oddities all under one roof. Prices are fair, staff is chatty, and the turnover is real. If you came to flip and actually leave with something, this guide’s your map.
Best Record Stores In Chicago
Shops Listed: 8
Average price range:
- Bargain bins: $1–$3 (sometimes up to $5) at spots like Reckless, Shuga, Hyde Park Records, and Beverly Records.
- Common used LPs: ~$8–$25 at most indie shops (Reckless, Dusty Groove, Laurie’s Planet of Sound, Shuga, Hyde Park).
- New releases / premium reissues: ~$28–$42 (pretty standard MSRP at Reckless/Shuga/Dusty Groove tier shops).
- Rarities / wall pressings: $40–$150+ isn’t unusual (Blue Note/jazz heavies, soul grails, clean firsts). True rarities can push $200+.
- DJ 12″ culture (house/techno/hip-hop): Tons of used 12″s sit around $3–$12; scarce Chicago white labels/promos can land $25–$60+.
Note: These are typical bands, not hard rules. Chicago’s scene is healthy—plenty of $1 digs and plenty of collector-grade stock—and prices swing with pressing, condition, and timing.
Reckless Records
Address: 1379 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Hours: 10am-7pm daily
Type: Big, well-run neighborhood anchor (multi-location)
Genres: Everything: indie/alt, punk, hip-hop, jazz, pop, soundtracks, new releases + used
Average Price Range: Bargain bins $1–5 • Common used $8–20 • New $25–45 • Rarities $30–100+
Specialty / Go For: Constant new-arrivals, fair grading/pricing, deep used walls, easy first stop
What to expect: Clean, bright, and organized. New arrivals hit fast and turn over quickly, so you can do a full wall pass without feeling overwhelmed. Staff actually listens to this stuff and will point you to similar artists without being weird about it. If you’ve got trades, they move here.
Shuga Records
Address: 1272 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Hours: 10am-7pm daily
Type: Warehouse-scale destination
Genres: Wide open: rock, soul, disco, hip-hop, electronic, reissues, sealed new, posters/oddities
Average Price Range: Bargain bins $1–3 • Common used $10–25 • New $28–45 • Rarities $40–200+
Specialty / Go For: Long browses, oddball finds, sealed reissues, big run of used titles
What to expect: Big floor, tall racks, and the kind of “I’ll just peek” that becomes an hour. Stock swings from cheap staples to collectible wall pressings, plus posters and ephemera. Bring a list and a tote; you’ll cover ground.
Dusty Groove
Address: 1120 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Hours: 9am-7pm daily
Type: Curated destination
Genres: Jazz, soul, funk, disco, Latin, African, Brazilian, soundtracks; strong new-arrivals
Average Price Range: Limited bargain bins • Common used $10–25 • New $28–45 • Rarities $30–150+
Specialty / Go For: Clean copies, tight curation, daily online/new-arrival flow
What to expect: Chicago’s core for groove music. Condition-forward grading, neatly sorted sections, and staff recs that actually hit. If you want a first-press jazz classic or a Brazilian gem that isn’t trashed, start here.
Signal Records
Address: 3156 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Hours: 12pm-7pm Daily
Type: Audiophile-leaning boutique
Genres: Jazz (classic/modern), rock, singer-songwriter, Japanese/UK pressings, audiophile reissues
Average Price Range: Minimal bargain bins • Strong used $12–30 • Audiophile/JP $35–80 • Rarities $75–250+
Specialty / Go For: Condition, careful pressings, Blue Note/Tone Poet, ECM, tasteful modern titles
What to expect: Smaller footprint, big signal-to-noise ratio. Bins are tight, clean, and skew quality over quantity. If you care about pressings and condition—and don’t want to sift through beaters—this is your stop.
Bucket O’ Blood
Address: 3182 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
Hours: 10am-8pm daily
Type: Bookstore + vinyl hybrid
Genres: Punk, metal, indie/emo, soundtracks, horror/sci-fi books & zines
Average Price Range: Bargain bins $1–3 • Common used $8–18 • New $25–40 • Soundtracks $20–50
Specialty / Go For: Heavy sections, OSTs, paper goods, staff recs that go deep
What to expect: A little chaotic in the best way—records, paperbacks, and cult-classic soundtracks live happily together. Great hang for heavy music folks and soundtrack hunters. Prices are friendly; vibes are friendlier.
Meteor Gem
Address: 3082 N Elston Ave STE A, Chicago, IL 60618
Hours: 11am-7pm Fri-Sun
Type: Specialist
Genres: Metal, hardcore, punk, underground 7”s and LPs
Average Price Range: Few bargains • Used $10–25 • New $25–45 • Rarities $30–100+
Specialty / Go For: Focused bins, small but deadly selection, scene-driven stock
What to expect: Tight room, zero fluff. If you like it heavy and fast, you’ll cover the racks in ten minutes and still walk out with something. Hours can be lean; plan around weekends.
606 Records
Address: 1808 S Allport St, Chicago, IL 60608
Hours: 11am-6pm Tues-Sun
Type: Indie/underground boutique
Genres: Contemporary indie, experimental, ambient, electronic, jazz-adjacent, small-label runs
Average Price Range: Small bargains $3–5 • Used $10–25 • New $25–40 • Rarities $30–100+
Specialty / Go For: Label rabbit holes, local/international micros, curated listening copies
What to expect: Calmer browse energy with staff that lives on Bandcamp. Great place to discover a new label obsession or grab a limited small-press title before it vanishes.
Hyde Park Records
Address: 1377 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615
Hours: 11am-8pm daily
Type: Classic South Side dig
Genres: Big mix: soul, jazz, hip-hop, disco, rock, reggae; loads of used
Average Price Range: Bargain bins $1–3 • Common used $8–20 • New $25–40 • Rarities $30–100+
Specialty / Go For: Long used walls, back-stock vibes, late-day digs
What to expect: Deep, lived-in Chicago energy. You’ll flip for a while, then flip some more, and still feel like you missed a row. Great for filling holes in the collection without emptying the wallet.
Tips for Vinyl Hunters in Chicago
- Cluster your route. Do Wicker Park/West Town (Reckless → Shuga → Dusty Groove), then Logan/Avondale (Signal → Bucket O’ Blood → Meteor Gem), then Pilsen/South (606 → Hyde Park → Beverly).
- CTA > car (most days). Blue/Pink Lines get you close; if you drive, budget for meters and watch permit zones.
- Weather-proof your haul. Heat warps, winter bites—bring a sturdy, flat-bottom tote and don’t leave vinyl in the car.
- Cash still helps. Cards are fine, but small buys and bargain bins go smoother with a few $5s and $10s.
- Dig low, ask high. Floor bins hide cheap wins; rarities live on the wall or behind the counter—ask.
- Mind the tax. City sales tax adds up; do quick math if you’re stacking a pile.
- Weekends = events. Fairs and pop-ups happen often—check venue calendars if you’re in town Sat/Sun.
- Be street-smart with the stack. Keep your bag close on trains, stick to lit routes at night, and don’t flash cash.
Chicago rewards patience and a loose plan: pick a corridor, take your time, and let the bins surprise you. Whether you’re chasing house 12″s, soul reissues, or basement-priced rock, you’ll leave with something you actually want to spin.
Got a score you’re proud of? Throw it into Build of the Month. Themes change monthly (past hits: “Coolest Vinyl Record,” “Coolest Local Record Store”). Drop a pic, add the backstory, and you’re in the running for prizes—no fees, ever.
