Nightlife
Birmingham's best record shops
Brum may be the UK’s second city, but its record shops are second to none. Here, we round up five of the best places to discover new musical gems.
As well as a buzzing grime scene and influx of young, new nights out, Birmingham is stuffed with equally stuffed record shops. From havens for house heads to reggae retreats, the city has a whole host of sonic emporiums to dig, flick and rifle through. Here’s a quick spin around the five best vinyl vendors Birmingham has to offer.
1. Café Artum
Café Artum is a pant-wettingly exciting new addition to Birmingham’s album of record shops. Opening on Corporation Street earlier this year, the shop is based on four pretty solid virtues – art, music, food and culture – which are so embedded into the venture’s personality that they are literally printed on the shop window. Although it’s become well known for its banging sarnies and pretty ace cakes, its main serving is of course its musical treats. The tunes are sourced by musos and owners Christy, Jayson, along with local legend Adam Shelton and events organiser Holly Hollister. There’s everything from ambient to jazz, and a pretty wicked itinerary of in-stores, live music and cracking events.
177 Corporation Street, B4 6RG | MAP
2. The Diskery
The first thing you should know about The Diskery is that it’s the oldest record shop in England, and it’s a place of sheer beauty for any music enthusiast. Step into the doors and, after being greeted by the fab Paul and his fellow crew, you’re likely to hear the most eclectic, euphonic and euphoric mix of tunes you’ve ever heard. The mass of stock is pretty intoxicating, but the pace of the shop is fantastically slow, fit for laid-back crate diggers. Visit when you’ve got a load of time on your hands, and enjoy plunging those very mitts into boxes and bins of the finest grooves laid onto vinyl.
99 Bromsgrove Street, B5 6QB | MAP
3. Swordfish Records
Swordfish originally opened in 1979 as Rockers, providing a hang-out on Hurst Street for fellow New Romantics. In the '90s, it became Swordfish, and it's now the ideal place to fish around for an absolute weapon of a track – whether it's an old punk B-side or prog-rock rhapsody. There's still a strong focus on guitar music here, from psych to indie, and it's brimming with some delectable deals on second-hand vinyl. Four decades after its inception, Swordfish is still one of the best musical spots to chill at in the city. Join John Peel, PrimalScream, TheHorrors, StuartMaconie, JohnCale and the many other heroes who have walked through its vintage doors.
66 Dalton Street, B4 7LX | MAP
4. Emortal Records
Emortal Records focuses mainly on dance tunes, from techno, to drum'n'bass to old school Chicago house. Recently, though, it has expanded its rock and metal sections, so now there's something for every fan of hard, heavy, push-the-gain-up-to-10 sounds. Owners Mike and Gareth have a catalogue of music just as vast as the shop's 150K collection, and are always ready to recommend. The prices are super reasonable too – aside from bargain bins, there are often huge discounts and free vinyl based on spend. It may be a tad further out from the city centre than the others, but it's just as central to Birmingham's sound.
1 Bournville Lane, B4 7LX | MAP
5. Polar Bear Records
A hip local spot on York Road, Polar Bear Records is a treasure-trove for all sonic swashbucklers. There's a strong love here for jazzier, funkier sounds and good old fashioned guitar music. It's just a stone's throw away from legendary venue the Hare and Hounds, too, so you can pop in there for a pint on your way there or back (or both). Although originally it mostly sold CDs, there’s now heaps of vinyl to wade through. Don't hibernate on this one.
10 York Road, B14 7RZ | MAP
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