Six Beijing Record Shops Worth Visiting for Browsing & Listening

It might seem archaic in this day and age to still be into vinyl records, but to enthusiasts, they're still worth it. Most folks still love old school records for their lovely analog sound. Plus, there's something nostalgic and simple about breaking out a record, putting it on the turntable, and listening to it from beginning to end without the ability to skip around. To just sit back, relax, and listen.

Beijing is no stranger to record shops selling second-hand and new vinyl, and we’ve compiled a list of six shops, each with their own special quirks and genre expertise, that are worth checking out.

Cool Music

While it’s not a large shop, Cool Music is loaded to the brim with piles of records, most of them second-hand (there’s more of an emphasis on CDs). The selection is extensive, and you’ll find jazz, classical, rock, funk, soul, hip-hop, city pop and then some, but we’d say it leans more towards rock and jazz.

You can listen before you buy, and the owner is more than happy to help search for CDs and introduce you to new things.

Cool Music Records 酷乐唱片

499-1 Dongsi Beidajie, Dongcheng District
东城区东四北大街499-1号
Hours: Tues-Sun, 2.30-8.30pm
Contact: 137 0112 8659

Space687211

This shop on Baiziwan is all about the jazz – and tea – experience. They have a large vinyl collection, with jazz of course being a highlight, and play different jazz playlists each day. For instance, when we went on a recent visit, they were playing a selection of freeform and avant-garde jazz, a bit noisy but nice listening. It’s a great place to go to enjoy music with a cup of tea or coffee while browsing their extensive collection.

The boss also tells us the venue will be hosting regular exhibitions, with recent shows focusing on vintage Braun products and other arts.

Space687211

Rm 103, Block A, Bldg 4, Area B, Postmodern City, Baiziwan Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区百子湾路后现代成4号楼A座103室
Hours: Daily, 10.30am-6.30pm, visit by reservation only, 1.5 hours per session
Contact: Search for their mini program 六八七二一一 to make a reservation

FreeSound Records

Although FreeSound mainly sells CDs, most of them domestic rock, they also have a considerable vinyl offering, featuring new and second-hand records of classical, jazz, funk, soul, and rock with a bit of hip-hop and city pop thrown in. The collection is all housed in the warehouse-like basement, which also features a nice audio-visual room.

FreeSound Records 福声唱片

1-44.1-46, Bldg 5, Courtyard 1, Bingjiaokou Hutong, Xicheng District
西城区冰窖口胡同1号院5号楼-1至1层1-44.1-46
Hours: Daily, 10am-8pm
Contact: 010 6613 6182; 134 6666 9900

fRUITYSHOP

Situated along a quiet residential street outside the Fourth Ring, fRUITYSHOP is the place to go for second-hand jazz, funk, and soul records, with reggae, Japanese jazz, funk, and soul, and a smattering of other oddities thrown in. In addition to records, they sell record players and accessories, clothing, and independently released CDs, cassettes, and limited edition vinyl records.

fRUITYSHOP is also affiliated with fRUITYSPACE and 11-7 Yaoyaoqi, the former a live music and events venue and the latter a café sharing the same space in the Meishuguan area near Dongsi. Along with regular live gigs, they host art events and weekly documentary film screenings and discussions.

fRUITYSHOP

18-119 Tian’ewan South Zone, Ganluyuan Zhongjie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区甘露园中街天鹅湾南区㡳商18-119号
Hours: Tues-Sun, 12.30-7.30pm
Contact: 186 0024 3828

fRUITYSPACE/11-7 Yaoyaoqi (11-7幺幺柒)

13 Meishuguan Dongjie, Dongcheng District
东城区美术馆东街13号
Hours: Wed-Sun, 1-7pm (Hours vary for fRUITYSPACE)
Contact: Search Fruityspace on WeChat to find their account

Li-Pi Records

Located in the southern part of 798 Arts District, LiPi offers both new and second-hand records, with a focus on classical music and movie soundtracks. This is followed closely by rock, jazz, hip-hop, and a limited selection of traditional Japanese music records. Prices, on average, tend to be higher than online, but it’s a nice place to drop by and explore. LiPi also showcases record players, making it a great stop for enthusiasts.

Li-Pi Records 莱蒎黑胶唱片

2 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Qixing Xijie, 798 Arts District Zone E, Chaoyang District
朝阳区798艺术区E区七星西街酒仙桥路2号
Hours: Daily, noon-8pm
Contact: 138 1147 3825

DeFactto Records

Also located in 798, DeFactto is easy to spot thanks to its massive wall of vinyl records visible through their floor to ceiling window entrance. What’s perhaps the most spacious record store in Beijing has both new and second-hand records and CDs ranging from jazz and rock to funk and hip-hop.

Their specialty, though, is jazz, with more obscure subgenres offered like ragtime (the first we’ve seen in Beijing). DeFactto is also a music experience bar, with a stage, restaurant, and bar along with jazz performances every so often during the evening. It’s a nice place to listen to music, be it live or on record, with a bite and a drink.

DeFactto Records & Jazz Bar 其实唱片爵士吧

Taoci Sanjie, Jiuxianqiao Lu, 798 Arts District Zone E
798艺术区E区酒仙桥路陶瓷三街
Hours: Daily, 10am-1.30am
Contact: 158 1087 5794; 188 1319 9924

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Images: Uni You, Dianping

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