Phonica Records

Covent Garden / Soho, London –

A cathedral to a dying art, Phonica Records places its faith soundly into vinyl and is a necessary stop for any record lover.

Hidden from the chaos of nearby Oxford Street, the clean and simple shop features a wealth of hard-to-find imports and new techno, house, and dance cuts from around the world.

Though large chains are all about commercial splendor, the dedication at this neighborhood favorite is clearly to music, and the cozy vibe usually ensures that even the casual browser walks out with a stack of new music in hand.

Walls flanking the front windows feature an ongoing rotation of posters for concerts, releases, and hidden basement shows, while the front of the store offers couches and a few bubble chairs to relax in during browsing breaks.

The venue’s small size and painstakingly organized selection makes it easy for patrons to navigate the offerings, and those looking to sample something new will find turntables and headphones set up on the counter so shoppers can flirt with several albums before committing.

Aisles are usually full of up-and-coming DJs, rave kids, hipsters, and EP enthusiasts, and there’s even a CD selection for those who prefer to live in the 90s instead of the 70s.

A trustworthy store in an often over-commercialized market, Phonica Records is the perfect destination to listen to tracks and lose track of time.