Brighton has a strong cluster of independent record shops, especially around North Laine, Gloucester Road and Trafalgar Street. They are clustered close enough together that you can hit half a dozen in a morning without breaking a sweat, and the range covers everything from a double-fronted new releases flagship on Kensington Gardens to a Brazilian and African specialist on Gloucester Road and a shop that has been selling film soundtracks since 1948.
This guide covers the record shops in Brighton worth visiting, what each one specialises in, and a walking route that connects them all.
Table of Contents
Quick Reference Table
| Shop | Address | Speciality | New or used | Opening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Music | 27-28 Kensington Gardens, BN1 4AL | All genres, new releases, events | Mostly new | Mon-Sat 9:30-6, Sun 10-5:30 |
| Rarekind Records | 104 Trafalgar Street, BN1 4ER | Funk, soul, hip-hop, disco | New and used | Check before visiting |
| Cult Hero | 16 Brighton Place, BN1 1HJ | Rock, pop, electronic, art prints | New only | Check before visiting |
| The Record Album | 8 Terminus Road, BN1 3PD | Soundtracks, classical, jazz | Mostly used | Check before visiting |
| Mr Bongo | 6 Gloucester Yard, 121-123 Gloucester Road, BN1 4AF | Brazilian, African, jazz, soul | New and used | Wed-Sun 11-6 |
| Across The Tracks | 110 Gloucester Road, BN1 4AF | Reggae, dub, rock, jazz, pop | New and used | Check before visiting |
The Picks
Resident Music
Resident Music at 27-28 Kensington Gardens is the shop most people think of when they think of record shops in Brighton. It is a double-fronted store in the heart of the North Laine with an enormous selection of new vinyl, reissues, CDs and books. Founded by Derry Watkins and Natasha Youngs in 2004, it has grown from a small indie shop into a multi-award-winning operation with a thriving online store and a packed events calendar.
The in-store events are a big part of what makes Resident special. The shopfloor doubles as a venue with a capacity of around 180, and artists from Laura Marling to the xx have played here. Signings, Q&As and album launch events happen regularly. If you are visiting Brighton during The Great Escape festival in May, Resident is one of the key venues.
The staff know their stuff and are genuinely helpful rather than intimidating, which is not always a given in record shops. If you only visit one record shop in Brighton, this is the one.
Address: 27-28 Kensington Gardens, Brighton BN1 4AL
Rarekind Records
Rarekind Records at 104 Trafalgar Street is where you go for funk, soul, hip-hop and disco. It stocks new releases alongside a deep selection of secondhand vinyl, and the crate-digging here is some of the best in the city. The shop has been visited by Discogs for an interview with the owner and has built a strong reputation among collectors looking for rare pressings and underground releases.
Rarekind also stocks DJ equipment and graffiti supplies, and the team maintain a presence at local events and club nights. It is less polished than Resident and more focused on specific genres, which is exactly the point. If you are into funk, soul or hip-hop on vinyl, this is the specialist.
The shop is on Trafalgar Street, a short walk from Brighton Station. If you are following the street art walking route from the station, Rarekind is right on the way.
Address: 104 Trafalgar Street, Brighton BN1 4ER
Cult Hero
Cult Hero at 16 Brighton Place sells new pressings only. The space is clean, airy and split between vinyl and art prints, and the frontage is distinctive enough that you might mistake it for a gallery rather than a record shop. Owner Frank Taylor is one of the longest-serving sellers of new vinyl in Brighton, having previously traded from North Street for a decade before moving to the current location in 2018.
The selection covers rock, pop and electronic, including special editions and coloured vinyl pressings that are harder to find elsewhere. It is the record shop for anyone who wants current releases and recent reissues in a browsing environment that feels more curated than chaotic. If you are looking for the latest album on wax rather than digging through secondhand crates, start here.
Address: 16 Brighton Place, Brighton BN1 1HJ
The Record Album
The Record Album at 8 Terminus Road is Brighton’s oldest record shop, founded in 1948. It is close to the station and specialises in film soundtracks, classical scores, jazz and blues, with a strong selection of rare and vintage pressings. The shop was originally run by George Ginn and is now managed by Keith Blackmore and his son Ben, who have carefully maintained the specialist character while broadening the genre range to attract a wider audience.
The interior has the feel of an old-fashioned corner shop, complete with a doorbell on entry and staff who are happy to chat about what they have in stock. The horror film soundtrack section is particularly good. This is the pick for collectors who want something specific and rare rather than the latest chart release.
Address: 8 Terminus Road, Brighton BN1 3PD
Mr Bongo
Mr Bongo at 6 Gloucester Yard on Gloucester Road is a specialist in Brazilian, African, jazz, soul and reggae. The Brighton store doubles as the label’s headquarters and opened at the end of 2016, following the closure of the original London shop on Berwick Street. The selection is small but the quality is high, with prices ranging from a few pounds for reissue singles up to serious money for rare original pressings of 1960s Brazilian albums. There is a listening deck so you can try before you buy.
Mr Bongo reopened its Brighton shop in May 2026 and is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 6pm. If you are into world music, Latin, or anything from the Mr Bongo catalogue, this is a pilgrimage shop.
Address: 6 Gloucester Yard, 121-123 Gloucester Road, Brighton BN1 4AF
Across The Tracks
Across The Tracks at 110 Gloucester Road is a more freeform operation than the other shops on this list. The stock is a broad mix of genres including reggae, dub, rock, jazz, pop and plenty of CDs alongside vinyl. It is less curated and more about the dig, with crates that reward patience and a willingness to flip through everything. Prices tend to be reasonable, and you are more likely to find an unexpected bargain here than at the more specialist shops.
The shop is on Gloucester Road, which puts it within a couple of minutes’ walk of both Mr Bongo and the North Laine backstreets. Worth combining with a visit to either.
Address: 110 Gloucester Road, Brighton BN1 4AF
Other Shops Worth Knowing
Bella Union Vinyl Shop is the retail arm of the Bella Union record label, founded by Simon Raymonde of Cocteau Twins. It sells exclusively from the Bella Union catalogue plus occasional curated picks from other labels. The shop also serves coffee and hosts regular live events including Wednesday lunchtime “sandwich sessions” with local artists. Worth visiting for the label connection alone.
Wax Factor at 29 Tidy Street is a long-running shop with a focus on rock, blues and punk. It is one of the more traditional record shops in Brighton and rewards a slow browse.
Vinyl Selecter operates from the Open Market and sells old-school reggae and roots classics at good prices. No permanent walls, just crates and a speaker blasting tunes.
A Walking Route
Start at The Record Album by the station, then walk down Trafalgar Street to Rarekind. Continue into the North Laine to Resident Music on Kensington Gardens. From there, head along Gloucester Road to Mr Bongo and Across The Tracks (both on or just off Gloucester Road). Loop back through the Lanes to Cult Hero on Brighton Place. The whole circuit takes about 90 minutes if you allow time to actually browse, which you will.
If you are visiting on a Monday or Tuesday, skip Mr Bongo and spend longer in the others.
Practical Tips
Saturday is a good day. Mr Bongo is open at weekends, and many shops are busiest and best stocked around then, so Saturday morning is a good time to browse.
Record Store Day. Held in April each year, it is a big deal in Brighton. Resident Music is one of the key UK participating shops and draws serious queues. If you want the limited releases, arrive early.
Bring a bag. You will accumulate vinyl quickly and the paper bags most shops provide are not ideal for carrying multiple records any distance. A backpack or sturdy tote saves hassle.
Budget. New vinyl typically costs £20 to £35 for standard albums, more for special editions and imports. Used records start from £1 for common titles. Brighton’s secondhand prices are generally fair but tourist traffic can inflate prices for obvious classics.
Brighton Station does not have left luggage, but there are luggage storage services near the station if you are visiting for the day and do not want to carry records around the city. Useful if you are combining a day trip with a vinyl haul.
FAQs
What are the best record shops in Brighton?
Resident Music on Kensington Gardens for the widest selection and in-store events. Rarekind Records on Trafalgar Street for funk, soul and hip-hop. Cult Hero on Brighton Place for curated new releases. The Record Album near the station for soundtracks and rare pressings. Mr Bongo on Gloucester Road for Brazilian and African music. These are the best record shops in Brighton depending on what genres you are looking for.
Where are the record shops in Brighton?
Most record shops in Brighton are concentrated in the North Laine area, particularly around Kensington Gardens, Gloucester Road and Trafalgar Street. The Record Album is near Brighton Station on Terminus Road. Cult Hero is in Brighton Place in the Lanes. You can walk between all of them in under 20 minutes.
Is Brighton good for vinyl?
Yes. Brighton has one of the strongest independent record shop scenes in the UK. Resident Music was named Best Record Shop in the UK in 2019, and the city hosts regular vinyl fairs, in-store events, and a strong Record Store Day culture. The combination of a large student population, a creative community and steady visitor traffic keeps the shops viable and the stock turning over.
When is the best time to visit Brighton’s record shops?
Saturday morning is a good time to visit. Mr Bongo is open at weekends, many shops are busiest and best stocked around then, and you get in before the afternoon crowds. Record Store Day in April is the biggest single event. The Great Escape festival in May also brings extra stock and in-store events, particularly at Resident Music.
Are Brighton record shops expensive?
New vinyl is priced in line with the rest of the UK at £20 to £35 for standard albums. Used records start from £1 at the more casual shops. Specialist and rare pressings command higher prices everywhere. Brighton’s prices are generally fair, though tourist footfall can push up prices on obvious classics compared to less-visited cities.
Final Thoughts
Brighton’s record shops are one of the best reasons to visit the city if you care about music. Six or seven independent shops within walking distance of each other, each with a distinct character and speciality, is rare for any UK city and almost unheard of for one this size. Start at the station with The Record Album, work through Rarekind and Resident in the North Laine, hit Mr Bongo and Across The Tracks on Gloucester Road, and finish at Cult Hero in the Lanes. Bring a bag and clear some shelf space at home before you come.
