Best Record Stores in Memphis
Memphis record shopping should start with the music, not just the bins. Beale Street's Memphis Music points toward blues, gospel, and early rock and roll; downtown River City covers soul, blues, hip-hop, and jazz; and Midtown's Shangri-La and Cooper-Young's Goner connect the city's history to its current independent scene. This is a city for a route with context.
Quick Takeaway
Start downtown for Memphis Music and River City, then move to Midtown and Cooper-Young for Shangri-La and Goner. The final pair is where the digging feels most connected to the living local scene.
The 4 Best Record Stores in Memphis
Shangri-La Records
Midtown Memphis record storeShangri-La is a core Memphis stop with used records, local music, and a broad mix spanning rock, soul, hip-hop, jazz, blues, and country.
Best for: Deep used digging and Memphis context
Location: Midtown on Madison Avenue
Shangri-La is the all-around anchor for a collector who wants depth without losing the city's identity. Its daily 11am to 6pm schedule makes it easy to build around.
Goner Records
Cooper-Young Memphis record storeGoner ties a Cooper-Young storefront to Memphis's garage, punk, and independent-rock tradition, with local music and events in the mix.
Best for: Garage, punk, indie, and local releases
Location: Cooper-Young on Young Avenue
Goner is where Memphis's current independent energy is most visible. Pair it with Shangri-La for a Midtown and Cooper-Young route that moves from broad digging to sharper local taste.
Memphis Music
Blues specialty music storeMemphis Music is the Beale Street specialist for blues, soul, gospel, early rock and roll, and the city's visitor-facing music history.
Best for: Blues history, gospel, and Memphis-specific music
Location: Beale Street
This is not a generic record stop. Memphis Music is the place to look for a shelf that reflects Beale Street's musical lineage before heading deeper into the independent shops.
River City Records
Downtown Memphis record storeRiver City gives downtown a broad current browse across soul, blues, rock, hip-hop, jazz, and local music.
Best for: Downtown variety and new releases
Location: South Main Street
River City is the practical downtown bridge between Beale Street and the rest of the route. Its Tuesday through Saturday schedule means Monday is the day to avoid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Memphis record store best reflects the city's music history?
Memphis Music on Beale Street is the clearest history-focused stop, especially for blues, soul, gospel, and early rock and roll.
Where should I shop for current Memphis independent music?
Goner Records in Cooper-Young is the strongest fit for garage, punk, indie, local releases, and the city's current scene.
Can I visit Memphis record stores in one day?
Yes, if you work by corridor: Memphis Music and River City downtown, then Shangri-La and Goner in Midtown and Cooper-Young. Check hours first.
Final Thoughts
Memphis deserves a music-history route, not a generic store list. Start on Beale and South Main, then spend the real digging time with Shangri-La and Goner, where the city's past and present meet.
More City Guides
Explore More Record Stores in Memphis
This guide features our top 4 picks, but Memphis has more to explore in our directory. Browse the full list for hours, addresses, and detailed descriptions.