Northern Ireland has long been home to its share of iconic record shops. From Terri Hooley’s downright legendary Good Vibrations and Dr. Robert’s to Dougie Knight’s, Bass Division and Sick Records, these stores became vital hubs in Belfast and beyond, cementing their place in a rich musical legacy where vinyl, and much more besides, found a loyal audience.
Today, that legacy is carried on by a new generation of independent heroes across the North. In Belfast, a UNESCO City of Music since 2021, shops like Sound Advice, Dragon Records, Starr and newcomer Hectic Records keep the spirit alive, while further afield, sanctuaries like Bending Sound, Boneyard Records and Cool Discs ensure the tradition thrives right throughout Northern Ireland.
Record shops are more than just places to buy music. They’re the beating heart of the communities that sustain music in Northern Ireland at its best, giving fans a place to gather, share ideas and connect beyond live venues. Often doubling as cultural hubs, these shops host showcases, pop-up events and more, where local and international artists, collectors and fans of all ages come together to inspire new creative directions.
In an industry often marked by uncertainty, these record shops continue to thrive against the odds. We celebrate each and every one of them, recognising their invaluable contribution to a music culture that runs deep throughout Northern Ireland. Here are some of the best, continuing a proud tradition and shaping the future of our world-class music community.
Is your favourite record shop in Northern Ireland not listed below? We’d love to hear from you: news@musicconnections.com
Belfast
Sound Advice
Sound Advice, founded in 2021 by DJ and lifelong vinyl collector Marion Hawkes, embodies all that’s great about Belfast’s forward-pushing music community. Located inside the bustling Banana Block, a living museum and events space at Portview Trade Centre, a former linen mill on the Newtownards Road in East Belfast, the shop has quickly become an essential hub for the city’s music lovers.
Specialising in electronic, soul, disco and jazz, Sound Advice stocks both new and second-hand vinyl, catering to collectors and enthusiasts alike. Marion, also one half of the queer party collective Ponyhawke, brings her experience as a DJ and deep-rooted passion for vinyl to every aspect of the store.
With regular in-store events, DJ sets and showcases, Sound Advice has become a key space where artists, collectors and music fans come together, continuing to shape and inspire the future of the city’s ambitious music scene.
Visit Sound Advice:
Banana Block
Portview Trade Centre
310 Newtownards Road
Belfast
BT4 1HE
Opening hours:
Wed to Sat, 11am to 5pm
Sun, 1pm to 5pm
Closed Mon and Tue
Visit the Sound Advice website | Follow Sound Advice on Instagram
Starr Records
A homegrown institution run by much-loved duo Sinead Green and Jeff Doherty, Starr Records moved to Belfast’s thriving music hub, the Oh Yeah Music Centre, in October 2023. Though it may have downsized slightly from its original Berry Street home, its vision has only expanded under Green and Doherty’s expert guidance. Their world-class curation and renowned personal touch continue to make Starr a standout in Belfast’s UNESCO City of Music.
Whether you’re a local or just passing through, you can discover the finest new sounds across every genre, explore reissued cult classics and delve into the best of homegrown vinyl. Spend just 15 minutes here and you’ll get a sense of how Starr’s success stems from an unshakable passion for music in all its forms, creating an authentic experience that stays with every visitor.
Sealing the deal, Starr are unfailingly on point with their pop-up events throughout the year. Whether it’s lively quizzes, Record Store Day celebrations, club nights or all-day gig showcases, the shop has well and truly got its ear to the ground. Drop by the ground floor of Oh Yeah for a browse and a coffee, and you’re odds on to walk out with your new favourite band on wax.
Visit Starr Records:
Oh Yeah Music Centre
15–21 Gordon Street
Belfast
BT1 2LG
Opening hours:
Mon to Sat, 10am to 6pm
Closed Sun
Follow Starr Records on Instagram
Voodoo Soup Records
Nestled in the heart of Belfast city centre, Voodoo Soup Records is a treasure trove of hidden gems for music lovers. Found on Winetavern Street, near the historic Smithfield Market and just behind CastleCourt, this independent record store is a must-visit for anyone passionate about vinyl.
What truly sets Voodoo Soup apart is its impeccable curation and the welcoming atmosphere created by some of the friendliest record shop staff you’re likely to meet. Specialising in second-hand records, its shelves are lined with rare finds, making it a goldmine for collectors and casual diggers alike. Whether you’re hunting for hard-to-find vinyl or stumbling upon a new favourite, the knowledgeable team is always on hand to help you discover something special.
An independent shop in every sense of the word, Voodoo Soup is a vital part of Belfast’s vinyl scene. It’s the kind of place where aficionados and newcomers alike can lose themselves in an eclectic mix of sounds, from classic records to obscure gems. With reasonable prices and an ever-changing selection, it’s more than worth a stop to browse and soak up the atmosphere.
Visit Voodoo Soup:
17 Winetavern Street
Belfast
BT1 1JQ
Opening hours:
Mon to Sat, 10am to 6pm
Closed Sun
Follow Voodoo Soup on Instagram
Dragon Records
Since 2010, Dragon Records has earned its place as a go-to destination for Belfast’s vinyl enthusiasts. Up a flight of stairs on Wellington Place, this iconic shop has consistently proven itself one of the city’s best hubs for new and second-hand records, with an eclectic selection that keeps collectors and music lovers coming back for more.
Whether you’re a seasoned regular or just passing by, Dragon offers an experience that captures the very essence of what makes record shops special. It’s a place where you can lose yourself in the discovery of music, from timeless classics to hidden gems. Before vinyl’s resurgence hit the mainstream, Dragon was already leading the charge, setting the tone for Belfast’s modern vinyl scene.
The shop first opened its doors in April 2010, with Jeff Doherty and Kelvyn Williams at the helm, stocking records from their own collections alongside handpicked selections for collectors of more esoteric material. Their dedication to curating unique vinyl quickly struck a chord with Belfast’s music community, establishing Dragon as a must-visit for anyone serious about their collection.
Having weathered the combined storm of lockdown and an unpredictable vinyl market, the shop has cemented its standing as a deep trove for crate-diggers. Alongside his work with Sinead Green at Starr Records, Jeff Doherty continues to guide Dragon with his signature taste and deep knowledge, so every visit, whether it’s him or another member of staff behind the counter, offers something fresh and unexpected. The passion here runs deep.
Visit Dragon Records:
First Floor
58 Wellington Place
Belfast
BT1 6GF
Opening hours:
Mon to Fri, 11am to 6pm
Sat, 10am to 6pm
Closed Sun
Follow Dragon Records on Instagram
First Press Vinyl (Bread + Records)
Opening its doors in late 2023, First Press Vinyl has quickly established itself as a vibrant player in Belfast’s record shop scene, pushing the city’s vinyl culture in a bold new direction. Based on the Beersbridge Road, it has built an ever-growing customer base and become a vital destination for music lovers in East Belfast.
First Press is part of Bread + Records, the brainchild of long-time friends Paddy Baird and Jason Hawthorne. Combining two seemingly unlikely ventures under one roof, Baird runs the Assemble bakery, offering artisanal breads and pastries along with first-rate coffee, while Hawthorne looks after a finely curated selection of new and vintage vinyl. Together, they’ve created a singular space that stands out on the Beersbridge Road.
First Press also ties into East Belfast’s rich musical history. The shop sits on the same street that once housed Caledonia Records, the record shop run by Van Morrison’s parents, Violet and George Morrison. First Press carries that spirit forward, with a thoroughly modern approach to curation.
Joining Sound Advice as one of East Belfast’s essential vinyl outlets, First Press stands apart with a selection that caters to collectors and casual listeners alike. Whether you’re dropping by for freshly baked bread or to dig through the crates, it’s a testament to East Belfast’s place as a forward-pushing hub of creativity and culture in the city.
Visit First Press / Bread + Records:
381 Beersbridge Road
Belfast
BT5 5DT
Opening hours:
Thu and Fri, 8am to 4pm
Sat and Sun, 9am to 5pm
Closed Mon to Wed
Follow First Press on Instagram
Hectic Records
The newest name on Belfast’s record shop map, Hectic Records opened its doors on Rosemary Street in autumn 2025, right in the heart of the city centre. Stocking both new and used vinyl, it’s a welcome addition to the city’s independent scene, and further proof that Belfast’s appetite for records shows no sign of slowing.
With late opening on Thursdays and Sunday afternoon hours, it’s one of the easiest shops in town to drop into after work or at the weekend. And with Fuzz Vintage just along the street, Rosemary Street has become a proper stop on any vinyl trail through Belfast.
Visit Hectic Records:
45–47 Rosemary Street
Belfast
BT1 1QB
Opening hours:
Mon to Wed, 10am to 6pm
Thu, 10am to 8pm
Fri and Sat, 10am to 6pm
Sun, 1pm to 6pm
Visit the Hectic Records website
Elsewhere in Belfast
Belfast offers a range of smaller but equally intriguing spots for vinyl enthusiasts and curious passers-by alike. Though HMV in Donegall Arcade may not be the indie trailblazer of the shops above, it still holds its own for new vinyl. We’d always encourage you to support the city’s independent retailers, though. After all, their spirit of independence reflects the very artists who make Belfast a UNESCO City of Music.
For second-hand vinyl and a bit of crate-digging, we recommend Life’s a Riot, Fuzz Vintage on Rosemary Street, Time Slip on Botanic Avenue and Octopus’s Garden on Wellington Street, where vintage clothes sit alongside bargain records and CDs. Don’t miss Andy Paraskos‘ stellar stall at St George’s Market on Fridays and Sundays either.
And if you’d rather listen than buy, Music Room, Belfast’s first dedicated listening bar, opened on Church Lane in July 2026, built around vinyl and high-end sound. Wherever you find your vinyl treasure, share the support. A truly vibrant music community thrives on it.
Rest of Northern Ireland
Across Northern Ireland, record shops are thriving, meeting the rising demand for vinyl and other formats. They may not be based in Belfast, but they proudly uphold the North’s deep passion for music, not least its world-beating local talent. Here’s our pick of the best from across the region.
Bending Sound, Bangor
Opening its doors on Record Store Day 2017, Bending Sound has become one of the North’s best-loved independents. Tucked away on Bank Lane in Bangor, it stocks new vinyl alongside pristine second-hand records, as well as Rega turntables and accessories, and it regularly hosts live shows in store. Its online shop, launched in 2020, means you can browse from anywhere.
2 Bank Lane
Bangor
BT20 5EG
Choons, Bangor
18 Central Avenue
Bangor
BT20 3AF
Abbazappa, Derry~Londonderry
Housed in the Yellow Yard vintage emporium off Palace Street, Abbazappa is a crate-digger’s dream, with a big selection of second-hand vinyl waiting to be uncovered among the vintage finds.
The Yellow Yard
Palace Street
Derry~Londonderry
BT48 6PS
Cool Discs, Derry~Londonderry
Supporting new music since 1996, Cool Discs is Derry’s longest-running independent record shop. It specialises in Irish and local music, with new releases arriving daily alongside rare and collectable vinyl, CDs and even tapes. It’s a Record Store Day mainstay, and it sells concert tickets too.
Lesley House
6 Foyle Street
Derry~Londonderry
BT48 6AP
Opening hours:
Mon to Sat, 10am to 6pm
Sun, 2pm to 5pm
Fairhill Records, Ballymena
5 Hill Street
Ballymena
BT43 6BH
Boneyard Records, Omagh
Market Street
Omagh
BT78 1EE
Vanilla Records, Magherafelt
An independent shop selling new and pre-owned records across every genre, Vanilla Records is a vital stop for vinyl lovers in Mid Ulster, with mail order available if you can’t make it in person.
2 Queen Street
Magherafelt
BT45 6AB
Number One Records & Tapes, Larne
An old-school record shop in the best sense, Number One is the kind of place where you’ll end up chatting to the staff as long as you spend browsing. Alongside CDs and vinyl, you’ll find DVDs, posters, T-shirts and even guitar strings.
Unit 6, Murrayfield Shopping Centre
Larne
BT40 1HU
Stewart’s Music Shop, Dungannon
A family-run fixture in Dungannon since 1975, Stewart’s has built a reputation for friendly service and expertise. Vinyl and CDs share the shop with guitars, drum kits, keyboards and amps, making it a one-stop shop for music fans and musicians alike across Tyrone.
9 Irish Street
Dungannon
BT70 1DB
Opening hours:
Mon to Fri, 9am to 5.30pm
Sat, 9.30am to 5.30pm
Closed Sun
Last updated October 2026.