INTO THE GROOVE
Take a step inside Hamilton’s vibrant independent record store scene, and be sure to check out these neighbourhood hotspots when buying for the music lover on your list.
Hamilton is home to an active network of independent record stores, each offering a mix of new and used vinyl, box sets, CDs, and turntable gear. These shops cater to both dedicated audiophiles and casual music fans, and are run by people who live and breathe music. Below is a list of some of the city’s standout stores, along with a little of their history.
In the centre of Hamilton’s indie music scene and the downtown core, Into the Abyss (267 King St. E.) has carved out its place as much more than just a record shop. Originally launched on Locke Street by local musician Brad Germain and now thriving on King Street East, the store has grown into a hub for music lovers, show-going audiences, collectors, and curious passersby alike.
Step inside and you’ll find an eclectic mix of new and used vinyl, carefully chosen to span eras and styles – rock staples, deep-cut indie, international gems, and the kind of offbeat discoveries that keep crate-diggers coming back. Beyond the records, the shop carries vintage clothing and music merch, and hosts several live performances a month, along with pop-up events, and the occasional listening party that transforms the space into a mini-venue.
What sets Into the Abyss apart is this community atmosphere. It’s a cultural hub for up-and-coming bands – many of which are under the drinking age – to play some of their first public intimate shows. Germain and his team greet visitors with genuine enthusiasm, whether you’re hunting for a rare pressing or just flipping through to see what catches your eye. The shelves are well-organized, the prices fair, and the mood inviting.
More than a store, it feels like a gathering place, somewhere that champions Hamilton’s music community while keeping the ritual of record-shopping, and record store shows alive. Into the Abyss is a must-visit for any music lover.
Dr. Disc (20 Wilson St.) has been at the heartbeat of Hamilton’s music community for over three decades, standing as both a record store and a cultural landmark. Opened in 1991 by Mark Furukawa – known to many as DJ Mark – the shop has become a trusted destination for everyone from casual browsers to serious vinyl collectors and working DJs. Housed just steps from the city’s underrated and charming Jackson Square and bustling James Street North community, Dr. Disc offers a vast selection that spans new releases, used gems, imports, and hard-to-find pressings across nearly every genre. Vinyl is the main draw, but the store also carries CDs and other media, making it one of the most comprehensive shops of its kind in the region. For those searching for something specific, Dr. Disc’s special-order service has long been a reliable lifeline.
What sets the store apart is its versatility. Beyond records, Dr. Disc also rents and repairs DJ gear, including turntables, mixers, speakers, and lighting setups, making it an invaluable resource for the city’s thriving underground and live-music scenes. The buy-and-trade counter, meanwhile, ensures the stock is always fresh, with customers regularly cycling treasures in and out of circulation. Furukawa and Aaron Sakala and the rest of the staff are known for their welcoming energy and deep knowledge, qualities that have earned the store a loyal following and a reputation as a cornerstone of the city’s creative life. For Hamilton music lovers, Dr. Disc isn’t just where you go to find an album, it’s where you go to feel connected to the community that music creates.
On Ottawa Street North, Revolution Records (166 Ottawa St. N.) has carved out a reputation as one of Hamilton’s most inviting and well-loved east-end record shops. Since opening its doors in 2015, the store has become a hub for vinyl collectors of every stripe, thanks to owner Scott Bell’s deep knowledge and long history in the city’s music community. Bell, who worked at the legendary Cheapies Records (RIP) for nearly two decades, brings both credibility and an obvious passion for connecting people with great music.
The space itself feels warm and vibrant, with a playful retro aesthetic that sets the tone for discovery. Though the room is on the smaller side, the bins are stocked with a thoughtful balance of new pressings, recent releases, and well-kept used records and CDs across nearly every genre. Whether you’re hunting for classic jazz, soul, punk, hip-hop, or something more experimental, the selection makes it easy to spend an afternoon digging. For collectors chasing something harder to find, the staff is known to go the extra mile, sourcing rarities, handling special orders, and offering genuine, enthusiastic guidance.
Customers consistently highlight the friendliness of the staff, who strike the right mix of knowledgeable and approachable. It’s a place where first-time buyers feel just as welcome as seasoned crate-diggers. On Record Store Day (the next is April 18), Revolution shines even brighter. The shop leans into the celebration with extended hours, deals, bargain bins, and a festive vibe that draws crowds from all corners of the city. But even on a quiet weekday, the store feels like a mainstay of Hamilton’s vinyl and CD culture, a gathering place built on passion, community, and the simple joy of music discovery.
And in new exciting news, Revolution Records is expanding into Dundas, taking over the old Records on Wheels store on 32 King St. E., that was a mainstay in Dundas for 39 years. Be sure to visit either store soon.
The Beat Goes On (1550 Upper James St.) has carved out its place in Hamilton as a reliable stop for music and movie lovers looking for both nostalgia and convenience. For the Mountain folk, it’s conveniently located on Upper James to visit while you do your shopping and errand-running. Though it is, in fact, a franchise, the store feels like a hybrid between a traditional record shop and a media exchange hub. The shelves stretch well beyond vinyl, carrying everything from used CDs and DVDs to Blu-rays and video games, making it one of the city’s broader media outlets.
What makes the store stand out is its trade-in model. Customers can bring in their old music or movies and swap them for either store credit or cash. That revolving door of items means the stock is always shifting. Sometimes you’ll find common bestsellers, and other times you’ll stumble across an overlooked gem or an out-of-print release. The hunt is part of the appeal, even if the prices can occasionally feel inconsistent. The atmosphere leans retro, with a casual, easygoing vibe that invites browsing. For longtime collectors, it sparks memories of flipping through racks in the ’90s, while younger visitors get a chance to discover physical media in a way that streaming can’t replicate. Staff knowledge and engagement can vary, but for most customers, the joy is in the digging.
One of the store’s more useful perks is its wishlist service: if you’re searching for something specific, the system can pull it from another location and have it sent to Hamilton. Other locations include a great venue in Burlington (3350 Fairview St.), as well as Brantford, Guelph, Cambridge, Kitchener, London and Waterloo. Combined with its extended evening hours (until 9 p.m. most days), The Beat Goes On is both a practical and nostalgic resource. It’s less of a boutique record shop, and more of a sprawling media library with plenty of surprises in the bins.
Beyond these city anchor shops, Hamilton is also home to a handful of smaller, equally worthy record stores where crate-diggers can uncover both hidden gems and essential releases. Hamilton Record Store, inside Where Heads Meet (150 Ottawa St. N.), has become a favourite among collectors for its eclectic selection that spans classic rock staples, jazz rarities, and newer indie titles. Flashbacks (411 Concession St.), true to its name, leans into nostalgia, with shelves packed full of vintage vinyl, cassettes, and memorabilia that transport shoppers back to earlier eras of music culture. Stardust Records (124 Ottawa St. N.) is a local treasure trove that rewards patient digging with its unpredictable mix of used records, DVDs, and collectors items. The Antique Mall (233 Ottawa St. N.) is a hidden gem for record lovers, featuring several small stalls devoted entirely to vinyl. Each random stall can offer a mix of vintage LPs, rare finds, and eclectic music treasures, perfect for crate-diggers seeking something unexpected. Browsing here feels like a hunt through a curated treasure trove, where every visit can yield a new discovery.
Smaller independents like Out of the Basement (335 Ottawa St. N.) embody the grassroots spirit of Hamilton’s music community. Both places are known for their no-frills approach and ever-changing stock, creating a sense of discovery with every visit. Collectively, these shops help sustain Hamilton’s reputation as a city where music lovers can always find something worth spinning. Burlington has Looney Tunes (91 Plains Rd. E.), a long-running shop packed with classic vinyl, CDs, and music memorabilia, and Oddspot (480 Brant St.), a newer spot that mixes carefully curated used records with comics, collectibles, and oddities, making both stores reliable digs for music hunters.
Buyers guide for music lovers
In an age of streaming, there’s still nothing like flipping through racks at a local shop, letting the records find you. I picked these albums because they balance variety, character, and something for everyone in your life. Visit one of these stores and find the perfect album to add to your own collection, or to surprise the music lover in your life.
New and noteworthy
Nation of Language - Dance Called Memory
Mum - History of Silence
Mappe Of - Afterglades
Mac DeMarco - Guitar
Hand Habits - Blue Reminder
Kathleen Edwards - Billionaire
Max Richter - Sleep Circle
Neko Case - Neon Grey Midnight Green
Cate Le Bon - Michelangelo Dying
Baxter Dury - Allbarone
Tame Impala - Deadbeat
Patrick Watson - Uh Oh
Jay Som - Belong
The Besnard Lakes - Are the Ghost Nation
Danko Jones - Leo Rising
Veterans still making new good music
Sloan - Based on the Best Seller
Chrissie Hynde - Duets Special
Big Wreck - The Rest of the Story
The Lemonheads - Love Chant
Superchunk - Songs in the Key of Yikes
Finger Eleven - Last Night on Earth
Robert Plant - Saving Grace
Ron Sexsmith - Hangover Terrace
Jeff Tweedy - Twilight Override
Deftones - Private Music
Sarah McLachlan - Better Broken
Suede - Antidepressants
David Byrne - Who is the Sky?
Hamont artists
Lee Reed - Pitchforks & Torches
Golden Feather - s/t
Atomic Birds - Pissing off the kids
The Vaudevillian - Selling Jelly
CQ - Eternal Dawn
Duckai - Future Vision
Ginger St James - Told Ya
Drew Smith - Leaf by Leaf
Drones Over Dufferin - Grievous Landscapes
Georgia Harmer - Eye of the Storm
Žuto - Kiss before Make Up
Doctor Tongue – 3D House of Mayhem
Public Health - Minamata
Superstar Crush - Way too Much
The Dirty Nil - The Lash
