Best record stores in metro Atlanta

There is a certain beauty about discovering music at a record store, from wandering through the aisles of crates filled with records to examining the artwork that suddenly becomes more pronounced than what you may have seen on your phone screen, to geeking out with the owners and/or employees, and to going home with a new find, or even just a new musical perspective.

Ditch the music streaming services but keep the music spinning as you head to your local independent record store for great deals, exclusive finds and more.

Criminal Records

With its big catchy sign, Criminal Records has been serving as the iconic record store on the equally iconic Euclid Avenue strip of Little Five Points since 1991. In addition to selling new and used vinyl across all genres, Criminal Records also houses a colorful selection of comics and gifts. They also host listening parties for new album releases, as well as other special events.

Location: East Atlanta - 1154 Euclid Ave NE; Website: criminalatl.com; Contact: 404-215-9511

Decatur CD and Vinyl

Everything is greater in Decatur, including the large music selection available at Decatur CD and Vinyl, located on West Ponce de Leon Avenue. Whether you’re looking for new releases or vintage gems, you’ll find plenty of musical variety at this charming record store with an Instagrammable exterior.

Location: Decatur - 356 W Ponce de Leon Ave; Contact: 404-371-9090

Disorder Vinyl

Located in the historic Brown Hayes Department Store building on Edgewood Avenue, Disorder Vinyl is known for its punky, rebellious spirit. In addition to your typical finds, they offer a wide variety of unique punk, hardcore and international selections. Disorder Vinyl also hosts local music events around the city, so be on the lookout on their Instagram for the latest updates.

Location: East Atlanta - 467 Edgewood Ave SE; Website: disordervinyl.com; Contact: 404-820-6520

Ella Guru Record Shop

Find your musical guru in Ella Guru Record Shop, a small independently owned record shop tucked away on Lavista Road in Decatur. You can’t go wrong when you browse through their crates filled with an assortment of wide-ranging records offering a variety of oldie goodies and newer favorites.

Location: Decatur - 2747 Lavista Rd; Contact: 404-883-2413

Fantasyland Records

As you step through the doors of Fantasyland Records in Buckhead, you’ll be transported to a world of musical enchantment. Explore the vast labyrinth of their diverse and extensive array of vinyl records, ranging from classic rock to golden oldies - there’s even a section for “strange and bizarre!” In addition to vinyl, Fantasyland Records also offers DVDs, collectibles, posters, stickers and more.

Location: Buckhead - 360 Pharr Rd NE; Website: fantasylandrecords.com; Contact: 404-237-3193

JB’s Record Lounge

Established in 2017, JB’s Record Lounge is a Black-owned record store located in Atlanta’s West End. What started as a quarterly basement crate-digging party turned into an official storefront with over 13,000 records and a variety of turntables and other accessories. They also host a variety of events, such as lectures, open mic nights and more.

Location: West End - 898 Oak St SW; Website: jbsrecordlounge.com; Contact: 404-228-3510

Rat Room Records

Rat Room Records is located within Big House Guitars, making it a true musical playground for audiophiles everywhere. With Big House Guitars selling guitars, bass guitars and accompanying accessories and Rat Room Records offering a large selection of new and used vinyl, you’ll find all your musical needs at this Cheshire Bridge music store.

Location: Northeast Atlanta - 2323 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE; Website: ratroomrecords.com; Contact: 404-254-0223

The Record Loft

When you enter The Record Loft, you’ll be greeted with a wall of guitars leading you to a cozy enclave of crates upon crates of records for any music lover and vinyl collector. This Ormewood Park hideaway offers a variety of timeless records featuring genres from jazz and classical to rock and hip hop, as well as stereo equipment and other musical goodies.

Location: East Atlanta - 749 Moreland Ave SE; Website: therecordloftatl.com; Contact: 404-947-2345

Sweet Melissa Records

As Marietta Square’s flagship record store, Sweet Melissa Records is as sweet of a symphony as can be. They have a large selection of music ranging from new and used to rare and autographed. In addition, they offer a range of books for sale, particularly centered around music, as well as film cameras. They also host a variety of events at their store.

Location: Marietta - 146 S Park Square NE; Website: sweetmelissarecords.com; Contact: 770-429-0434

Wax ‘n’ Facts

Located on Moreland Avenue in Little Five Points since 1976, Wax ‘n’ Facts is one of Atlanta’s most beloved and oldest independent record stores. Wax ‘n’ Facts has something for every music lover, whether you prefer new or used vinyl, CDs or cassettes. Flip through their many collections of music, ranging from new to extremely rare, and feel a sense of discovery as you unearth a possible rare gem. Wax ‘n’ Facts also offers DVDs, VHS tapes, and other “pop culture ephemera” on its colorful poster-lined walls.

Location: East Atlanta - 432 Moreland Ave NE; Website: waxnfacts.com; Contact: 404-525-2275

Wuxtry Records

Wuxtry Records is an Athens, Georgia institution with a second location in Decatur, located in North Decatur Plaza. Buy, sell and trade to your heart’s content at the Decatur version of this musical cornerstone that was named by Rolling Stone as one of the Best Record Stores in the USA. Wuxtry has played an important part in the Athens music scene, including serving as an important launchpad for many famous musicians such as R.E.M.’s Peter Buck, B-52′s Kate Pierson and Danger Mouse.

Location: Decatur - 2096 N Decatur Rd; Website: wuxtryrecords.com; Contact: 404-329-0020