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15 Must-Visit Music Shops In London
By Georgia Mulraine / March 28, 2023
The best places to buy guitars, DJ and production equipment, vinyl records and sheet music come together in this list of London's best music shops.
For crate diggers and collectors, DJs and producers, bands and instrumentalists, the inimitable spirit of the London music scene is visible in the vast and varied music shops – rich with electronic tech, records and instruments.
Guitars, records, woodwind, hi-fi audio, sheet music and more. These are the stores to put on your bucket list, to either browse, make that crucial purchase or chat to those with expertise about the music you love.
GUITAR SHOPS
Brand new top of the range guitars, vintage finds, second-hand gems, cases, repairs and nail care. Here are a selection of shops you could benefit from visiting whetheran experienced shredder or just starting out.
1. WUNJO GUITARS
5 Denmark St, London WC2H 8LP
Photo: @wunjoguitars
Specialises in: vintage and used guitars
One of the many revered music shops on the renowned Denmark Street, Wunjo Guitars is one of London’s finest independent guitar retailers, stocking electric, acoustic, bass, classical, vintage and used guitars.
Aside from having an excellent range of guitars Wunjo’s staff consist of long serving members (the shop has over twenty years of experience and music history) who will talk you through the pros and cons of different models, giving you the space to try as many guitars out as you like.
2. GUITAR GUITAR
16 Delancey St, London NW1 7NH
Photo: @guitarguitarcamden
Specialises in: boutique brands, the best acoustic guitars
Central London’s largest guitar store, located around a 5-minute walk from Camden Town. Guitar Guitar houses a dedicated acoustic room, boutique amp room and plenty more.
If you are looking for a bespoke artwork guitar to stand out from the crowd than this is the place to visit. A particular standout the Fender 30th Anniversary Screamadelica Stratocaster Limited Edition, with an Alder Screamadelica artwork body.
Need somewhere to take your new guitar? Why not check the Pirate rehearsal studios and book the closest London location to you.
3. HANKS GUITARS
Hank's Guitar Shop, 27 Denmark St, London WC2H 8NJ
Photo: @denmarkstguitar
Specialises in: electric guitars, the best bass guitars and effects pedals
Another Denmark Street gem, Hank’s Guitars has been open since 1985, a long-standing bass, electric and acoustic guitars specialist, also stocking music accessories.
Hank’s has a strong claim to being one of London’s most famous guitar stores. In 2015 Noel Gallagher stopped by the shop to purchase some electro harmonics pedals and countless other professional musicians and rockstars have frequented the store over the years, including: The Rolling Stones, Coldplay and U2.
4. HOBGOBLIN
24 Rathbone Place, London, W1T 1JA
Photo: @hobgoblinmusic1976
Specialises in: folk instruments
This is London’s best folk instruments and folk guitar shop, just a stones throw away from Oxford Circus. Hobgoblin have been supplying hard-to-find folk instruments for over 40 years.
As well as a big range of guitars, the shop also stocks world percussion and recorders, as well as a repair workshop with well known and very experienced repairman Michael Cameron in residence.
Vinyl Shops
One of the reigning most popular ways to listen to music. For keen collectors, DJs or those looking to soak up a great musical enviroment – London’s record shops are some of the best places to combine a craving for shopping and music.
5. ROUGH TRADE
- ROUGH TRADE EAST: Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, London, E1 6QL
- ROUGH TRADE SOHO: 50-54 Beak St, W1F 9RN
- ROUGH TRADE WEST: 130 Talbot Road, London, W11 1JA
Photo: @roughtrade
Specialises in: vinyl, indie and alternative music, events
The UK’s leading vinyl retailer, Rough Trade is as known for it’s great curation of in store events as much as it’s extensive vinyl catalogue, stocked with exclusive new vinyl releases and all the essential titles you could hope for.
The first Rough Trade shop opened in 1976 in Ladbroke Grove (Rough Trade West) and is highly worth a visit today. Plenty of musics’s greatest names have stepped through a Rough Trade door, whether to play (Kendrick Lamar, Jack White and Radiohead), intern (Adele) or shop (Elton John).
Also stocking merch, vintage/used vinyl and audio equipment, Rough Trade is the perfect stop off with a cafe and bar, to either shop, see live music or both.
There are currently three Rough Trade Shops in London, Rough Trade West (the OG shop), Rough Trade Soho (the newbie) and Rough Trade East, in the heart of Brick Lane with the largest events capacity of the three.
6. THIRD MAN RECORDS
1 Marshall St, Carnaby, London W1F 9BA
Photo: @thirdmanrecords
Specialises in: goods, gear and records
London welcomed Jack White’s famous Third Man label to the capital in August 2021, with a new Third Man store, the first outside of the USA. In the heart of London’s musically historic Soho, the shop (quite obviously) personally designed by Third Man founder Jack White, the concept developed over the covid pandemic.
Mapped over two floors, one for shopping and the ‘blue basement’ for live shows, were the labels newly signed bands or favourites are invited to play.
Third Man also homes a recording booth where artists and the public can record their own material straight to vinyl! A must visit shop for the full musical experience to find some great new artists, shop and enjoy the curation of the Third Man label.
7. ELDICA RECORDS
*8 Bradbury St, London N16 8JN
Photo: @eldica_records
Specialises in: Rare reggae 45s & calypso
A lesser known treasure in the lively cultural and musical mecca of Dalston, just round the corner from Dalston Jazz bar.
A wholly retro vibe, Eldica’s is full on shabby chique with floor to ceiling curtains, crystal chandeliers yet bursting with vintage collectibles, artist film photography and old record players.
Browsing this small haven is a treat for real musos with a penchant for funk, soul, hip hop, calypso, jazz, reggae.
8. FLASHBACK RECORDS
- FLASHBACK ISLINGTON: 50 Essex Road, Islington, London N1 8LR
- FLASHBACK SHOREDITCH: 131 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, London, E2 7DG
- FLASHBACK CROUCH END: 26 Topsfield Parade, Tottenham Lane, Crouch End, London, N8 8PT
Photo: @flashbacklondon
Specialises in: used vinyl, new releases
A real high fidelity feel, Flashback has been a huge presence in the vinyl scene for over 25 years.
A chain of three independent London record shops, these long established stores have a real community feel and thrive from buying and sourcing used records. The cratedigging paradise also homes DVDs, CDs, books, merch and accessories.
Bobby Gillespie has been a regular at the Crouch End store, and round the corner from their Shoreditch location, they run a series of popular events at The Old Blue Last.
ELECTRONIC MUSIC SHOPS / DJ EQUIPMENT
It’s never too late to start learning how to produce music if you can find the right tools. London’s electronic shops match the impressive club scene, supplying DJ/producers with the best gear on the market.
9. WEST END DJ
- WEST END DJ CENTRAL LONDON: 10-12 Hanway St, London W1T 1UB
- WEST END DJ STAPLES CORNER: 970 N Circular Rd., London NW2 7JR
*Photo: @westend_dj
Specialises in: DJ Equipment, PA equipment, live sound, podcasting and production
West End DJ’s have proudly been ‘London’s DJ store for 20 years’ and if your looking to get your hands on the latest kit, this is the place.
DJ controllers, monitor speakers or a studio setup, you can drop into their Central London branch for free impartial advice on how best to get going, producing or DJing with the right equipment.
10. HYTEK ELECTRONICS
62-64 Dalston Ln, London E8 3AH
Photo: @hytekelec
Specialises in: Hi-Fi, PA and DJ set up
Hi-Fi audio, DJ audio, and studio equipment. HYTEK is well established with the best equipment from the best manufacturers including; Pioneer, Allen & Heath, Numark, Reloop, Gemini, American Audio, Ortofon, Shure, Audio Technica, and more!
They have a large variety of vinyl turntables, CD decks, twin CD players, DJ workstations, software controllers, mixing stations, accessories and many more products to choose from.
Plus HYTEK is just round the corner from Pirate Dalston, you can pop into the shop and chat about equipment prior to a recording or mixing session at their professional DJ studios.
11. ROLAND STORE
10 Denmark St, London WC2H 8LS
Photo: @rolandglobal
Specialises in: DJ and production equipment, Roland gear
We return to Denmark Street where the Roland store is a key destination for electronic equipment.
Roland gear has helped shaped the sound of dance music, the 808, the 909, the 303, as well as an enviable line-up of classic synthesizers too long to list, so shopping here is acquiring your equipment from the well trusted source and makers themselves.
You can also book a 1-2-1 demonstration with a dance music or DJ specialist at any time convenient to you.
12. RICHER SOUNDS
Richer Sounds has 9 London locations, head to their website to find your closest one
Photo: @richersounds_uk
Specialises in: Hi-fi separates
For a great selection of decks and DJ equipment Richer Sounds is a great shout with a great range of technics.
The shop's history began 40 years ago when founder Julian Richer, began buying and selling hi-fi separates at school when he was 14. Just five years later Richer opened his first shop on London Bridge Walk and now today has expanded to 52 stores nationwides (9 in London).
The Richer Sounds staff are predominantly made up of aspiring musicians, DJs, and film fanatics, passionate about great sound and vision.
WOODWIND & SHEET MUSIC
Music and lyrics. For many singer-songwriters, bands and music makers, sheet writing is key and orchestral instruments go beyond just a use for classical music.
13. HOWARTH
31 Chiltern St, London W1U 7PN
Photo: @howarthoflondon
Specialises in: woodwind instruments
Established in 1948, Howarth has been at the forefront of instrument making for 75+ years, the project of flute maker apprentice George Howarth.
It has come to be known as makers of the finest oboes, oboes d'amore and English horns and displays a whole range of instruments, accessories and woodwind sheet music.
The staff are all players who can advise with what you need and their workshop is home to experienced technicians who can undertake repairs and custom modifications to customers' instruments.
Well worth visiting if in a woodwind oriented band or looking for sheet music/manuscript paper to create.
14. SCHOTT MUSIC LONDON
48 Great Marlborough St, London W1F 7BB
Photo: @schottmusiclondon
Specialises in: sheet music, rehearsal rooms
Vocal, guitar, electronic organ, piano, string instruments and more, Schott Music earns it’s title as the best stocked music sheet shop in London, and will go far and beyond to find a specific piece you may be looking for and the best edition of it.
Also home to music manuscripts and art books, the array of printed material is highly impressive with a string claim of offering the widest range of sheet music across all genres and all other music publishers.
You can also book out one of Schott’s 5 practice rooms of varying sizes, appropriate for teaching or rehearsal purposes, the largest room suitable for ensembles such as a string quartet.
15. TRAVIS AND EMERY MUSIC BOOKSHOP
17 Cecil Ct, London WC2N 4EZ
Photo: @travisandemerymusicbookshop
Specialises in: rare sheet music and books on music
For the keen readers and shelf browsers, Travis Emery is one of London’s best musical bookshops, specialising in out of print, second-hand and antiquarian music.
As well as the rarer stuff Travis and Emery stock instrumental music, vocal, choral and full scores and have plenty of old and new books on music, programmes, periodicals, photographs and prints. A great combo experience for those who love music and books.
