The Best Record Stores In Washington D.C.

Didn’t you hear? Vinyl is cool again. It’s especially popular in Washington, D.C. as the city once hosted a vibrant punk rock scene decades ago.

1. Smash Records

Store

This record store retains its roots: it was once a staple of the 1980s DC punk scene, and its grunge atmosphere reflects the past. While changing locations a few times over the decades, the store remains the same with its unapologetic punk aesthetic and penchant for the era of Bowie. They also sell 1980s punk rocker attire, Doc Martens, and assorted memorabilia. To be cliché, they don’t make record stores like this anymore.

2. Red Onion Records

Store

This meticulously curated store offers everything from Queens of the Stone Age to local legend Fugazi. Red Onion Records also boasts an impressive world music collection from sounds produced across the globe. The staff is knowledgable about vinyls and attentive to your requests, and will bestow their knowledge upon you. There’s a used book section that chronologies the history of the music.

3. Joint Custody

Store

This secondhand store offers trendy vintage clothing and classic records. They flaunt an impressive collection of Zeppelin and The Smiths which never last long at other stores, but their stock is always, well, stocked. Their record selection is alphabetized, a rarity for vinyl selections, and the organization scheme makes seeking out specific artists that much easier. The moderate clothing selection represents the eras and looks from the time of vinyl.

5. The Record Exchange

Store

The Record Exchange is the mecca of all things retrograde. Cassette tapes, vinyls, VHS movies, and original video games line the store’s dusty shelves. The aroma of laminated cardboard creates a nostalgia for time past and the days of youth. The vinyl laminated floor feels too ideal to be real.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.