International Recordstore day saw a flood of tribute mixes, tracks, articles and blog posts dedicated to the modest local record store. With the vinyl revival well and truly in full swing in Prague and across the globe (thanks to the Czech Republic,the world’s biggest producer of vinyl!), it is now more important than ever to support your local record merchant. For collectors or first time buyers, these are our favourite Prague shops that peddle black wax.
This well-frequented and much-loved record shop provides a truly unique selection of second-hand records. Japanese pressings from well-known and obscure bands from yesteryear jostle for attention alongside the sizable collections of rock, pop, jazz, funk, reggae, trance & progressive trance and acid techno on sale. Disco Duck also has a lot in the way of sale items starting at 99CZK for (12’s) and 22CZK (7′). Disco Duck houses a surprising amount of buried gems so professional diggers should take time to sift through the stacks to unearth the jewels! Karlova 184/12, Prague 1, www.diskoduck.cz
Music Town
Žižkov’s Music Town has been providing the city with an eclectic selection of rock, pop, rap & dance for around 3 years. The store has a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere with seating and purchasable refreshments available in-store. 12′ records start at 499CZK and go up to 749CZK/800CZK and are displayed in alphabetical order. Music Town’s friendly English speaking staff is on hand to offer advice or just have a chat. A great store that often host daytime/early evening music events, or artist project launches. Ondříčkova 321/22, Prague 3, www.musictown.cz
Radost FX
A credible selection of rock & pop, funk, jazz, and soul, categorized alphabetically in a well-lit corner of the I.P Pavlova music store. The English speaking staff is knowledgeable and friendly. Prices start at 399CZK for 12-inch singles and 599CZK for albums. Radost also offer a small selection of 7’ records. A nice space for you to get digging! Bělehradská 234/120, Prague 2, www.234radost.cz
Don’t let Rekomando’s deceptively modest shop-front trick you. This place is a vinyl Tardis! Rekomando sells new hardcore, punk, indie, post-rock, pop, ambient and experiential records (prices start at 249CZK) in the two rooms to your left and right as you enter the charming store, with the back room reserved for secondhand Czech classics, spoken word, children’s and classical 12′ and 7′ records (prices start at 50CZK for 7’s and 200CZK for 12’s). The spacious store has a listening point and seating for those wanting to take their time when digging. A great store with a surprising amount to offer! Trojanova 9, Prague 7, www.rekomando.eu
Magdalena “Happyfeet” Zemanová runs Lucerna pasáž’s cosy record & design store. The narrow L-shaped store has records stacked, stored and filed in and on every surface with secondhand rock, soul, jazz, hip hop and CZ classics on offer at good prices. Be sure to check under the waist level shelving to take advantage of Happyfeet’s hefty sale section! Vodičkova 704/36, Prague 1, www.happyfeet.cz
The “high-street” chain with several central locations is the self-proclaimed largest selection of vinyl in the city. The Václavské námesti megastore has the vinyl in the basement of the vast shop. The spacious record basement has alphabetised rap, rock, and pop with prices starting around the 429CZK/499CZK mark. Bontonland also offers an online service for those wanting to purchase from the comfort of their home. It would be easy to hate on this “mainstream” option. Some have said that their presence alone endangers the independent merchant. All arguments aside, Bontonland has a decent collection of new vinyl sold by knowledgeable staff. Václavské nám. 1, Prague 1, www.bontonland.cz
MusicLand
Photo: Musicland Facebook
Musicland experienced a re-opening recently finding its new home in the freshly constructed Quadrio shopping mall. The centrally located, (a stone’s throw from Národní třída with another location at Palladium) pocket-sized store offers a standard selection of new rock, pop, hip hop & reggae vinyl starting at 499CZK for 12-inch releases. Spálená 2121/22, Prague 1, Facebook
The record shopper’s record shop! A store totally dedicated to vinyl culture. The well-stocked, well-spaced gem hidden down the back streets of Prague 1 should definitely be sought out. Enter the semi-subterranean store and you’re likely to find a steady flow of regular customers chewing the fat or playing selections from the store’s ample collection. Phono.cz are keen supporters of the “local” scene so expect hot off the press-pressure from Prague’s latest & greatest! Multi-genre old and new 12’s and 7’s, reasonable prices, approachable, friendly staff with pleasant interior – a must for any vinyl junkie! Opatovická 256/24, Prague 1, www.phono.cz
A cool store with three strings to its bow. Garage store offers high-end (futuristic) sneakers, vintage hi-fi systems/boomboxes, as well as new and secondhand vinyl. The positively trendy store has limited space, so their in-store vinyl collection isn’t huge, But take time to browse their predominantly hip hop, soul and funk based selection of new and second-hand records. Garage Store’s online presence is more extensive, offering an eclectic collection of records purchasable through their website. Garage Store is a friendly, cool environment suitable for the casual collector or hardened digger! Veverkova 6, Prague 7, garage-store.net
The Vinyl Store
Photo: The Vinyl Store Facebook
A complete package for both the enthusiast and the beginner. Though the store is cozy, the music collection is a wide spectrum of both the classics and the obscure, with an occasional intersection between the two. Thousands of records with prices ranging from 90CZK to 1,000CZK, depending on condition. If unsure about checking out that funky covered but unrecognizable Motown or curious to see the difference with the latest rock, there’s a listening room. If suitably impressed but unprepared at home, the store sells hi-fi equipment, speakers, and turntables. Mezi školami 2481, Prague 5, www.vinylstore.cz