In case you haven’t noticed, vinyl records are having a bit of a renaissance. Record sales have been on the rise for 17 straight years. Just last year vinyl record sales passed CD sales for the first time since 1991. There are a ton of reasons for this. Major artists like Taylor Swift have made a point to emphasize the sale of exclusive and limited pressings, resulting in many people buying multiple copies of the same record. 2020 also saw a monumental shift in almost every hobby as more people had time to collect records, stamps, and whatever else they could find to distract themselves as the world fell apart. Fast forward a few years and people are still collecting records. A growing number of fantastic Denver record stores has also helped fuel this resurgence.
It is unlikely that vinyl record sales will continue to rise at this rate. But for now, record stores are having their moment in the spotlight. Once a niche hobby of collectors dreaming of days gone by, it’s not uncommon to see even the smallest of record stores bustling with music lovers on a weekend afternoon.
Vinyl records are sold seemingly everywhere: bookstores, department stores, and thrift stores are all likely to have a few records lying around. But it’s the true record stores that make this hobby tick. Check out our guide below to every record store in Denver.
Twist and Shout
If you can only visit one record store in Denver, you would be hard-pressed to find a candidate more worthy of your time and money than Twist and Shout. The store is a Denver and Vinyl Record institution for a good reason.
The store originally opened in 1988, before finding its current location on Denver’s Colfax Ave. Ever since then, it has garnered a reputation as one of the best record shops in the country. Much of this reputation is down to the size of the store alone, a massive 11,000-foot temple to all things music. This makes it the largest record store in the state and one of the biggest stores in the country.
The store isn’t just filled with empty space either. The record selection is understandably massive as is their selection of CDs, DVDs, audio equipment, posters, and other record store fare. Even if you’re not a record collector, anyone interested in music should go for a stroll through I would consider the best Denver record store.
Check out my full review of Twist and Shout Records here.
Wax Trax
When it comes to Denver, two main record stores have earned the status as a pillar of the local music scene: Twist and Shout and Wax Trax.
While the more polished vibe of Twist and Shout perfectly encapsulates Denver’s Congress Park Neighborhood, Wax Trax will show you all you need to know about the city’s Capitol Hill neighborhood.
Slightly less glamorous but with plenty of edge to make up for it, Wax Trax is worthy of the title of the coolest record store in Denver. That’s not to say this store cares more about aesthetics than music. The large collection is filled with hidden gems, rare records, and familiar favorites. A great selection of used records and a steady flow of new releases make this a record store that is worth coming back to as often as possible if you are lucky enough to live nearby.
Despite being significantly smaller than Twist and Shout, I have always had better luck at this shop. Some of the most treasured records in my collection have been purchased here. Luckily, it’s only a few minutes away from Twist and Shout by car, If you have the time stopping by both is a no brainer.
Check out my full review of Wax Trax Records here.
Recollect Records
In spitting distance of Downtown Denver, Recollect Records is the type of small neighborhood shop that has more regulars than tourists flipping through the bins. The shop is modest in size and the knowledgeable staff can point you right to whatever you’re looking for.
The selection skews slightly towards used records, but there are plenty of great finds for those with slightly more off-beat tastes. The jazz, funk, and soul selection here is a major standout. Especially when you consider the bias most Denver vinyl record stores have toward rock music. The ambiance is also notably unique amongst record stores in the Mile High City. Brightly lit with a colorful mural covering an entire wall, the decor is a nice change of pace from the blacks and browns found in most shops.
Invincible Vinyl
The final store in the Denver city limits, Invincible Vinyl is a shop that will appeal to hardcore collectors. Self-described as a “one man brick and mortar record store” this store is a love song to all things vinyl.
The selection is hand-picked and new records are on the shelves daily with all the love and care they deserve. Aside from the well-curated selection, the prices at this modest shop are some of the best around. The owner is well-versed in all things vinyl and knows just how frustrating the rising prices can be for collectors. Invincible Vinyl is the perfect shop for anyone who “digs the dig,” just like the old-school marquee outside the shop says.
Chain Reaction Records
When moving out of a city center and into the suburbs, most people would be right in assuming the spirit of a city fades away the further you get. This is true in Denver too, but Chain Reaction Records is a major exception to this rule.
This Lakewood record store is about as punk as it gets. The store describes its selection as “all the shit you can’t find anywhere else,” and this is largely true. While there are sparsely stocked punk and hardcore bins at every record store in the city, no one even comes close to the offerings at Chain Reaction Records. Even if you managed to miss the Circle Jerks poster out front, it would only take you about 3 seconds to figure out what kind of record store you were in. While there are plenty of record stores that double as cafes or used bookstores, I can’t think of any that double as a skate shop.
A must-visit for any punk collectors, Chain Reaction Records is well worth the drive into the suburbs. If you can’t find any employees to answer your questions, don’t fret, they’re probably just skateboarding out back.
Check out my full review of Chain Reaction Records here.
Black and Read
Black and Read is one of the few remaining stores in a dying breed of indie businesses. The store is so much more than just a record store. Used books, CDs, DVDs, collectibles, board games, cassette tapes, and more fill nearly every inch of the impressive space. This is a store for collectors of almost any kind. Even the store’s layout pays homage to the garages of collectors everywhere. Misshapen boxes full of treasure are stacked and pushed into every crevice. A delightful mess.
The passion for all things media is what sets Black and Read apart from so many other book and music stores around today. The store is truly committed to keeping the independent bookstore and independent record store culture alive. People need a place to hang out and explore new kinds of music and art and Black and Read is more than happy to provide this experience.
Angelos CD and Vinyl
While most Denver area record stores from the 80’s and 90’s didn’t stay open too far into the new millennium, Angelos CD and Vinyl hsas continued to serve Denver’s music scene for over 30 years. The store doesn’t just focus on vinyl records but offers CD’s, vape products, incense, and a mishmash of other seemingly disconnected items that are common throughout the city. A one-stop shop for incense and weed-loving music fans.
The record selection itself is impressive with a mix of both new and used offerings. One of the things that keeps me coming back to this store is the store’s special promotions. Most recently they offered free records with any purchase of $15 or more.
Vinyl Valhalla
Littleton may not be known as the most stylish and trendy suburb Denver has to offer, but Vinyl Valhalla is seeking to change that. The store is relatively new compared to some of the other shops across Denver. Despite its age, the plastic bins and walls full of LPs supply the old-school record shopping experience that people crave.
Vinyl Valhalla offers both new and used vinyl records, with new music available every week. Unlike many record stores throughout Denver that focus primarily on used music. This is a place where you can rest assured that they will have the latest releases.
Denver’s Musical Heritage
Denver by no means has the most vibrant musical history, but that doesn’t mean it’s non-existent. Bands like the Fray and The Lumineers, once called Denver home, one of the world’s most renowned music venues, is just minutes from Denver in the form of Red Rocks Amphitheater. 3Oh!3 hails from nearby Boulder, I’m not entirely sure if that is something worth bragging about but it’s something!
And now, Denver is becoming one of the most interesting cities for vinyl record collectors. Even with more and more stores opening over the previous years, Denver’s record store scene is far from over-saturated. Each store operates in its own unique niche making Denver a great city for a record store crawl.