Music

Are New York’s music stores worth visiting?

• New York City is by far the city with the most music stores in the United States! New York is home to over 200 music stores and several dozen record stores, according to a count conducted in May 2025.
• It’s safe to say that New York is the city of music par excellence! The city is the birthplace of Broadway musicals and Gospel in Harlem. Not to mention jazz in New York, which has taken on a new dimension in the Big Apple, and the numerous concerts throughout the year. It’s no wonder the music stores are busy! Many professionals come to New York to select their instruments.
• Similarly, record stores remain particularly popular in New York, attracting collectors from around the world. These stores are also real meeting places for enthusiasts. Don’t hesitate to chat with the sellers and the owner. The shops are often managed by independent traders.

The 8 best music stores in New York

1. Academy Records

   Looking for that rare piece, the unusual tune, or that exclusive orchestration that is no longer in print? Head to Academy Records! From classical to jazz, rock, country, or opera, this store offers a very wide selection of vinyl records and CDs, both new and used.

   

   Address: 12 West 18th Street, between Fifth and 6th Avenues.

   Neighborhood: Flatiron District.

   Metro: 14 St.

2. House of Oldies

   An address for collectors! In the heart of Greenwich Village, the House of Oldies store offers rare records from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. House of Oldies could be translated into French as the house of old stuff. You’re going to make some discoveries!

   

   Address: 35 Carmine Street.

   Neighborhood: Greenwich Village.

   Metro: W 4 St.

3. Jazz Record Center

   This record store is a paradise for jazz lovers! Here, you’ll find records, books, videos. Collectors come from all over the world to find that rare item.

   

   Address: 236 West 26th Street, between 7th Avenue and 8th Avenue.

   Neighborhood: Chelsea.

   Metro: 28 St.

4. Main Drag Music

   Main Drag Music is a music store that caters exclusively to guitarists, both amateur and professional. This store is located in Brooklyn, in the Williamsburg neighborhood.

   

   Address: 50 S 1st Street, Brooklyn.

   Neighborhood: Brooklyn.

   Metro: Bedford Av.

5. Rivington Guitars

   Founded in 1998, this music instrument store is a true Aladdin’s cave for guitar lovers. The store offers new guitars, used guitars, vintage guitars… You’ll also find a wide selection of electric and acoustic guitars.

   

   Address: 73 East 4th Street, between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue, which becomes Bowery at this point in Manhattan.

   Neighborhood: East Village.

   Metro: Astor Pl.

6. Rock and Soul

   Rock and Soul is one of the oldest independent record stores in New York and one of the oldest DJ stores in the world. The store was created in 1975! You’ll find a wide selection of recording and mixing equipment, as well as a large choice of audio headphones. Rock and Soul even counts some renowned DJs among its clients, including DJ Red Alert, Tony Touch, DJ Skribble, and Kool Herc.

   

   Address: 49 West 37th Street, between Fifth and 6th Avenue.

   Neighborhood: Midtown.

   Metro: 42 St-Bryant Pk or 5 Av.

7. Sam Ash Music

   The Sam Ash music instrument store is a reference in the field. You’ll find a very wide choice of percussion, keyboards, guitars, brass… The very first store was founded in Brooklyn in 1924 by an immigrant from Eastern Europe and, incidentally, a professional violinist. A century later, in 2024, the brand was taken over by the Gonher Music Group.

   

   Address: 333 W 34th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues.

   Neighborhood: Midtown.

   Metro: 34 St-Penn Station.

8. Steinway & Sons

   The famous New York piano manufacturer has a store all to itself in the heart of the Midtown neighborhood, just a stone’s throw from Bryant Park. The “Steinway Hall” presents all the brand’s models, but not only that: the venue also hosts a 74-seat recital hall open to students of New York’s music teachers.

   

   Address: 1133 Avenue of the Americas, between 43rd Street and 44th Street.

   Neighborhood: Midtown.

   Metro: 42 St – Bryant Pk.