Shuga Records

My family and I stopped in over the weekend. We went to the farmers market then walked over, as we…read morehad family in town and wanted to walk around the loop. There's, of course a HUGE collection of records. We bought a couple records during this visit. It seems the price points are average. My daughter also found a cd and a cute notepad that we bought as well. There was a good amount of people inside the store too. But it never felt crowded.

Really cool store in a great location in the Loop. Huge windows, lots of natural light, and fun…read morecity views. Very clean, spacious, and well organized. Great selection of records, CD's, movies, and more. I really enjoy browsing and I always find something I want to add to my vinyl collection. I appreciate that they stay open until 7pm. Helpful staff, reasonable prices, and great vibes.

0.5 mi•Noble Square, West Town

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Loud Pizza Records

3.7(12 reviews)

Amazing gem of a record store with the best selection and the nicest staff. Super knowledgeable…read moreunique selection. Support your local small business this holiday season and get some loved ones some vinyl at loud pizza.

I can't speak to the in-store experience, but based on my online order, I would not recommend…read moreordering online. I placed an order in April for a record that was listed as in stock. After I ordered, I was informed there were inventory and distributor delays. I was patient, appreciated the updates I received, and agreed to wait until July 1 based on the timeline I was given. After that date passed, I followed up multiple times and went nearly 12 days without a response. I eventually sent a final message saying I would dispute the charge if I did not receive an update or refund. The refund was processed within minutes, which I appreciated, but it was frustrating because it showed that communication could have happened much sooner. To be clear, my issue is not that an unexpected family emergency occurred. I completely understand that emergencies happen. My issue is the lack of communication with customers who had already paid for orders. What was most frustrating was being told afterward that I would have seen updates if I had checked the store's social media. I placed my order through the website and communicated through email. Customers should not be expected to monitor social media to find out why their emails are going unanswered or why an order has not been fulfilled. A simple automated email response or direct update would have gone a long way. I also found that response dismissive because it placed the responsibility on the customer rather than acknowledging the communication gap. I understand that small businesses face challenges, but customers still deserve clear communication and timely responses. The refund was ultimately issued, but the overall online ordering experience was frustrating and could have been handled much better. Again, I can't comment on the in-store experience, but based on my online order experience, I would not recommend ordering online.

0.2 mi•Wicker Park, West Town

Rise Against "Ricochet" In-Store (Photos by Angelica Dulany)

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Rise Against "Ricochet" In-Store (Photos by Angelica Dulany)

Reckless Records

4.1(80 reviews)

Great selection of used vinyl, DVD's, etc. Their stock is always changing since customers are…read morealways bringing in new merchandise. Great place to look for rare and hard to find items. Employees may be a little snooty but, I am not sure how I would be dealing with the public all day. So they get a little pass from me. Also, they live and breathe records so no doubt they know more than me. Always like perusing their current selection. To me it is relaxing and rewarding at the same time.

Still top tier after all these years. Staff so knowledgeable. Happy to see people who still…read moretreasure quality vinyl.

Displays current popular albums for quick grabs

Huge place . This is just a small section

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Indoors

Reckless Records

4.0(233 reviews)

2.6 mi•Lakeview

I stopped by the Wabash and Belmont locations of this store, but for Belmont specifically, this…read morestore is a MUST for vinyl, CD, cassette, and game collectors. The store is extremely big, the service was quick and things were easy to find utilizing the store website, reckless.com. The prices were pretty average, around $15 for a new CD and $30 for vinyl. I didn't check the prices for cassettes, but I'm sure they were great. They also had posters of popular albums, featuring art from various artists. They also had used console games, for Xbox One, PS4, retro Nintendo consoles, and I even saw a few SEGA Dreamcast games! This place is nothing short of heaven for music lovers!

DO NOT TRUST THEIR GRADING OR LABELS!!!…read more I stopped by for the first time a couple of weeks ago to check the place out. They have a nice variety of albums, but unfortunately, my experience has been less than impressive. The day I stopped in, I purchased what was labeled as a 1968 "Near Mint" copy of Days of Future Passed by The Moody Blues. When I got home, I discovered significant noise throughout the first third of Side A. Since I live in the suburbs, I wasn't able to get back into the city for two weeks. They did take the record back, but because their return policy is only one week, they would only offer store credit rather than a refund. They took the record back, and I found a "Near Mint" copy of the 2012 remaster of The Beatles' White Album. The label specifically stated "w/ poster & photos." I even asked an employee about it before purchasing it, and they confirmed that the poster and photos were included. Sure enough, I got home, opened it, and neither the poster nor the photos were there. Needless to say, I'll be returning this record, and I won't be coming back. Two purchases, two significant issues with the condition or contents being inaccurately represented.

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Torn Light Records

4.4(18 reviews)

1.1 mi•Bucktown

Cool store with a great selection. Parking is worse than usual but there's a couple spots if you…read moredrive around for two hours (or get the nearby SpotHeros). Definitely worth the visit.

Here's a catchy and fun Yelp review for Torn Light Records:…read more "Torn Light Records: The Vinyl Jackpot I Didn't Know I Needed" While wandering Chicago, I stumbled upon Torn Light Records, and let me tell you, it was like finding buried treasure--but instead of gold, it was stacks of classic records at prices so good I almost felt like I was stealing (don't worry, I paid). Back home, I'd have to sell a kidney to afford half of these gems, but here? It's like they actually want you to enjoy music without going broke. The selection was top-tier, the vibe was chill, and my wallet survived the trip (barely). If I'm ever back in Chicago, Torn Light will be at the top of my must-visit list--right after deep dish pizza. If you're a vinyl junkie like me, don't walk, run to this place. Your record collection will thank you. 5/5 stars for being the record store of my dreams!

Great pick!

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Our Chicago store!

Gramaphone Records

4.2(81 reviews)

2.4 mi•Lakeview

I made the mistake of visiting on a day that they were only open for deliveries. Door was unlocked…read moreand I walked in. I was immediately informed they were closed and I walked out and floated around looking for food. 2 minutes later I was told it was ok to visit. Wow! I had the whole place to myself. Michael Serafini, owner/DJ didn't have to do that for me. I was visiting from Charlotte NC and was excited to visit. The selection is wide and labeled very specifically from Rock to Jazz to Soul to House music new and old. I was there for an hour and they even checked on me a few times. I took my time and spent over $300 for two full bags of used and new vinyl cuts - Soul, Disco and Chicago House for me. Prices ranged from $3.99 to $25 for me. Some rare records were priced $25. They even had local DJ presses - DJ Darryn and Dave Maze were my favorites. I will be back next trip to Chicago and visiting Thursday through Sundays only! Thank you Michael for being so gracious and patient to a new customer!

Do not buy the grab bags at any cost. They say they are jazz, comedy, etc. but in reality they are…read morespoken word lectures about diabetes and shit. $15 worth of total garbage.

0.2 mi•West Town, Ukrainian Village

Mo Records !

One of the many record players available for listening

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Logo

Dusty Groove

4.1(150 reviews)

Honestly, I loved my experience here! I managed to find a couple of nice vinyls to get and was…read moresurprised by the overall selection they offered. It was clean and well-organized on the main floor. The downstairs is a tad neglected compared to the main floor. I didn't find anything downstairs to get. I was a bit shocked at the price of some of the brand new vinyls, but the prices for the older ones were comparable to other stores. I prefer shopping local, and was really happy to have stumbled upon here! Would definitely come back again! No bad experiences with the staff during my visit. They were actually more on the helpful and friendly side. Seems like they took past customer reviews/experiences seriously and improved.

The store is very clean and has a helpful and friendly staff. This was my first visit and multiple…read moreemployees checked on me and offered assistance. I was there for less than an hour and spent over $100 on mainly used vinyl soul and disco. I informed them that I was from Charlotte and they offered to box and mail my selections to me. I took them up on the free boxing and decided to mail on my own. The prices ranged from $1-$12 for used vinyl cuts for me. Very fair and prices per record were specific and I felt appropriate. I will definitely come back on my next visit. The store is clean, vibrant and organized.

0.5 mi•Wicker Park, West Town

Tote bag

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The Exchange

4.0(103 reviews)

Growing up in Pittsburgh, I used to love coming to The Exchange. Now I was happy to see that…read morethey've expanded (to be honest I'm not sure which locations came first). The Exchange is the perfect place to find new/used video games, movies, cds, toys, consoles and more! Everything is organized in sections by type of game or appropriate genre of music or type of movie. It may seem overwhelming at first, but it's almost like a library of all things cool. The staff is super helpful. When you want something, you'll need to ask them for help as everything is behind glass and locked so you don't steal- good call on their part. Prices are reasonable for the most part. Some things like vintage games can be a little pricey but it makes sense. I bought about 6 or 7 old video games from NES Super NES and Sega for $38. I think I did well. They now have a rewards program that's free to sign up for so take advantage of that. I love this place whether I'm in Pittsburgh or Chicago. Definitely will make a trip or two every time I'm here.

I am writing this to share feedback regarding my recent experiences with this store. While I…read moreappreciate the inventory, the trade/sell process and customer communication have been very disappointing. Recently, I brought in an Xbox to trade. I was told I would receive a call the following day once it was tested. After receiving no update, I called the store myself and was told my offer was ready and to come in. After driving over 40 minutes, I was informed in person that you could not accept the console due to a fan issue--information that should have been communicated over the phone. Additionally, during a previous visit to sell a collection of Naruto Funko Pops and manga, I explicitly asked to complete the transaction that day to avoid another trip. Despite assurances, I was kept waiting until closing time, only to be given a rushed and surprisingly low offer. Clear communication and respect for customers' time are essential. I hope you will address these issues to improve your service going forward.

1.2 mi•Near West Side, West Loop

Guitar Hero Xbox 360

They have everything here !

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Groove Distribution

5.0(1 review)

A great place to get a house or dance record! While it only carries a specific style of music the…read morestaff are knowledgeable and a main stay in the house music and DJ community. Very rarely do they not know what a song is and can always get a record as a distributor. They are limited by hours but well worth it. Located in a building that looks like a office building in a rom com, but they have inventory!! Just went there to get records for my next mix! My guy there pulled all the stuff I would need. While it was expensive it is worth to no pine over a record like it's Excalibur. Now it's part of my collection.

From the owner: Groove Distribution is America's largest dance music distributor and importer. We distribute a wide…read morerange of dance music including house, downtempo and lounge, mashups, dubstep, nujazz, cosmic disco and more, both on vinyl and CD. We also carry a selection of magazines, books and DJ accessories like record bags and slipmats. We are a wholesale distributor but we also operate a mail order service direct to deejays and music fans across the U.S. and around the world.

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After-Words

4.1(166 reviews)

2.4 mi•Near North Side

Such a cool space!!! They have a huge downstairs level full of books too. Wow!…read more There is a large hand sanitizer dispenser near the entrance and everyone who enters is asked to sanitize their hands before touching books. I like that. They also have a really spacious separate room available for events. The Chicago Writer's Association hosted a lovely event there last night, and my boyfriend was chosen as one of the 12 Chicago writers to read some of his work. I'm glad we know about this bookstore now.

This bookstore has a wide selection of books that you won't find at any standard book store or…read moretypical cookie cutter store. The interesting part is that they have a mix of used and new books which allows for a larger selection of books you won't find most places. The prices are very good, and the staff is nice. It's a quiet book store tucked away with seating in the downstairs area for browsing, and it has an open atmosphere without feeling too crowded or too stuffy.

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Interior of the bookstore

Banned Books

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Inside

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23 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Simone S.

174

10 years ago

Shuga is by far my favorite record store in Chicago. The staff always has awesome recommendations and I've discovered a lot of great new bands based off of their suggestions. I've also found a few of my favorite records from their "now playing" options as well. They regularly have live shows and signings, which are always a blast and generally pretty easy to get into. They've done some renovations recently and vastly increased their stock. If they don't have something in stock they will often be willing to order it for you and they are open to suggestions for good selling albums as well. I also got one of my favorite mugs from them, which was made by one of the employees (a mug with an Ol' Dirty Bastard record cover on it). Overall my favorite thing about going there is that they are laid back and not pretentious (which is a feeling I've gotten at several other record stores... like I'm judged if I don't know every brand new band they are talking about). They are a great store and I highly recommend stopping by and seeing what they have! Their new inventory bin is conveniently located right at the entrance...making it easy to check out the new stuff that has just come in :) read more

Noel P.

11 years ago

This is a great record store! I originally bought vinyl records from them through their online store. I was always impressed by their quality and selection. It was great when I accidentally found they had opened a new brick and mortar store on Milwaukee. The store is super nice and looks great! The staff is excellent: they are extremely friendly and helpful. Adam (the owner) is an awesome guy and walked me around the store to help me find the album I was looking for. Their selection of vinyls is huge and if they don't have the record their that day they can basically have it to you in no-time. The service I received at Shuga was in great contrast to some of their competitors like Reckless Records who have basically treated me like they didn't want my patronage and would simply not help me find what I needed. Please check out Shuga, they are a great local store with a caring staff, huge vinyl selection, and actually know about music! read more

Ben C.

11 years ago

Shuga is great. Everything I want in a record store. They stock a wide variety of artists and genres, always something new to look at. The customer service is always great. Seems like a knowledgeable group of people working there who are more than willing to help you out. The place is clean, organized and well lit which is a huge relief to see. The records are kept clean and don't smell moldy. The hidden gem with Shuga is their ability to find just about anything for you. I had been looking forever for some albums and they found them within minutes and had them shipped all for a very reasonable price. I've shopped most all of the shops in Chicago and Shuga is by far the one for me. read more

Alicia S.

226

6 months ago

Shuga Records has an amazing selection of everything you need to enjoy your music. They carry a huge variety of vinyl records, CDs, and cassettes across so many genres, so there's truly something for everyone. It's so much fun to walk around and browse through the bins--you can easily spend hours discovering new artists or finding old favorites. They also have cool extras like card games and unique items that make the store even more fun to explore. The atmosphere is welcoming and nostalgic, and the staff was very helpful in assisting me with finding a few records. It's definitely a must-visit spot for any music lover! read more

Ethan D.

2 years ago

the staff was very nice, and the lady with the key earring really loved weezer, not bad for $28. tell the lady with the key earring that weezer kid said hi if you visit! and heres my cousin! so im the cousin of the reviewer but i bought yeezus by kanye west! it was the last copy there was a lady there that said i have great great taste! thank you if you see this and this is the best record store in this city! thank you shuga records for my vinyl and if your a kanye fan and want vinyls by him you should buy this at this record store me and my cousin recommend! read more

Johnny H.

179

4 years ago

Incredibly large selection of records with the ability to listen to the records of choice up front. Friendly staff and a very clean store. They have everything from the new classics to old school records and international tunes. Record prices range from $20 to $40 to $60 all the way up to $200 for certain records. They do have some used records in the back where you can find some older records for $5 or $10. 4 stars because I do think they're a little over priced but still a very nice record store. read more

Qynn C.

11 years ago

This place is THE BEST location in the city to fulfill your vinyl collection needs. As soon as I walked in, the store had an excellent vibe - starting with the Shuga Record employees. Not only are they very friendly and personable, but they really know their stuff! Also, the store has a vast inventory of new and used records at reasonable prices, perfect for either a new collector and an experienced one! Do not step into nearby competitor stores, go here first, you will not leave! read more

Greg H.

7 years ago

Big fan of Shuga records, been coming here for 2 years. Really like the tall, burly guy with a beard, maybe called Adam? He's always willing to chat about upcoming events, his new favorite stuff, and even once gave me this crazy beer that tasted like bourbon and chocolate. definitely feel the community here and just wanted to let everyone know. Also, I'm curious if the assistant manager is single ;) she is....*fire emoji* *fire emoji* read more

Bryan P.

7 years ago

The crew knows their stuff and run one hell of a record store day, only place I get my records unless they're from an exclusive label. They always have in store concert's and priced very competitive being in the city. They were able to procure an OOP record for me at my request with no upcharge and I've won an exclusive record for pre-ordering there! read more

David B.

11 years ago

Great record shop in the heart of Wicker Park with tons of different varieties of music on vinyl. The staff is super friendly and very knowledgeable and they also carry other products such as mugs, tee's posters and pins. They also have house selection and bargain bins where you can find many gems. Prices are fair as well. read more

Emmaleigh W.

11 years ago

It's like Narnia. You can find so many great records here. I had fun looking through their impressive local and international selections and everything in between! They also have some extremely rare items. Go! You will definitely find a beautiful gem for your collection and it's way better than Reckless. read more

Charlie S.

11 years ago

Awesome location, helpful staff and great selection. Shuga had the local feel of an independent record store with the selection of a bigger player. Listening stations allow you to hear the actual record you will be buying before you buy it. Really glad we stopped in. We'll be back. read more

Angel P.

7 years ago

Shuga Records is one of our absolute favorites! They always have a great high quality selection, and everyone is super friendly and knowledgeable. This is the place to record shop in Chicago, you will not be disappointed!! read more

Evan L.

8 years ago

Awesome shop with even better employees. Akeem was patient and extremely helpful from the time I was loading in with my band's equipment, to the time I check out with the records he helped me find. read more

Sara N.

11 years ago

This is an awesome store with a great collection of vinyl. Everything is really well organized and easy to find. The owner was super friendly and willing to help me find what I was looking for. read more

Chris M.

11 years ago

Shuga is a cool spot. It has plenty of variety and a laid back vibe. The location is perfect and the store is beautiful. Shouts out to Shuga Records! read more

Ryan S.

137

7 years ago

Excellent staff, a great collection of records, tapes, and CDs, and a wide variety of smoking accesories. This place has it all!

Andrew M.

7 years ago

The staff at Shuga is always so helpful and great at giving suggestions. A must go destination for vinyl shopping in Chicago.

Roper F.

11 years ago

Great selection, awesome staff, cool events. Shuga Records is a great addition to the Wicker Park record family. read more

Charlie D.

7 months ago

agro angry burn out Trumpers, too many great shops to waste time here. no one at this shop is a music lover.

Shuga Records - vinyl_records - Updated September 2026

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Legendary record store that I finally went to last week. They have a ton of DVDs, CDs, records and…read moreother merch throughout the store. Their record selection is pretty decent - all newer releases with classic throughout. Prices are about what you'd expect and not marked up. I'd be back!

The greatest place on earth if you still like buying records and cds. If you can't find what you…read morewant anywhere else, this is the place you have to go. I have been coming to this place since I was 14 and I just turned 60. I love this place. Enough said..

606 Records

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606 Records ended up being a great surprise during my stay in Chicago since it was right down the…read morestreet from my Airbnb. I originally stopped in because it was recommended by Pinwheel Records, and I'm really glad I did. The shop has an incredible selection and the staff was extremely knowledgeable. Drew especially was fantastic to talk with. I asked about local Chicago music and he immediately had great recommendations and insight into the scene. One of the coolest things about the shop is that 606 has its own label, and I was able to pick up a limited release of Balance: A Compilation Without Boundaries -- featuring artists with parallels to the city of Chicago, experimenting sonically & balanced with music. You can tell this place genuinely cares about music discovery and supporting artists. Definitely worth a stop if you're digging around Chicago for records beyond the usual mainstream finds. I was traveling and like Pinwheel, 606 was also able to ship my purchases home for me. Shops like this proved to me the Chicago music scene is extremely vibrant!

Just WOW! Cool location in Pilsen around the corner from the thrift stores and a few restaurants…read more Old school and chill. Lots of cutouts, a dream come true $2-$5 eveywhere! Kewl digging

Orbit Records

5.0

(7 reviews)

Awesome record store! Ron and John know all things music, and Gus will greet you like family.read more

Orbit Records piqued my interest when they opened recently in my neighborhood, and I selected the…read moreideal day for my first visit -- Record Store Day on April 22nd. This is a cozy operation with piles and stacks of rando vinyl at a discount as well as an extremely organized selection of LPs. Not seeing what you want? Just ask, 'cause there's a sizeable collection in the back, too. They also sell CD's, posters, books, mags, et cetera. The people who run the place from what I overheard really seem like they know their stuff. I'm no connoisseur of records or an LP geek, so you may not want to go by me, but still. The folks who work there are friendly - I like being welcomed into the fold without having to be an uber-collector or anything. In brief, Orbit is a great record and miscellaneous media joint that's off the beaten path but totally worth the trip.

Interstellar Space Records

4.9

(7 reviews)

Very cool selection of records. The owner clearly has a passion for rare records as well as having…read morethe classics. Got to talk with him and he seems like a genuinely good guy. I highly recommend dropping in if you're a collector of rare records or you want to stock up on your first few records to get started.

Been turned onto a lot of great music by this community focused record shop. The owner has a deep…read moreknowledge and is happy to share what he knows with enthusiasm. Have scored some great rare/underground music here as well as afforable clean classics like Neil Young to replace my dad's partied on 70s collection.

MetalEdge Records and Tapes

5.0

(3 reviews)

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Buddy of mine recommended me this new shop that's near his house…read more Went about a month ago and their used metal cd collection is legit! Wide variety of metal throughout the store(and classic rock). The dude working (assuming the owner) was super nice and blasting and singing along to mercyful fate - come to the sabbath. At that moment I knew this was my store. Picked up few items and I'm definitely heading back soon!

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4.6

(13 reviews)

Great record shop. Huge selection. Good prices. Vinyl in a variety of conditions. Really friendly…read moreand helpful owner/manager. Not music snobby like some stores. Street parking pretty easy on this stretch of Irving.

A gem of a record store! I paid my first visit today and I'll be back for the incredible selection…read moreand low-key vibe.

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Very nice and knowledgeable owners, Andy & Brian have the fairest prices of any record store in the…read moreChicago area. The best place to buy used records at a low price compared to other stores or Discogs. On top of that, they actually pay the most for used records. I'm always updating my collection and selling off various titles, (all in good condition) and at this point I have no need to look elsewhere. They've got me covered.

There are so many greedy record store owners overpricing their records nowadays. I wish I could…read morebring them all here, so their ego's could be shattered. This is place is absolutely beautiful. I wish I could give them higher than 5 stars

Cheap Kiss Records

3.9

(17 reviews)

Great selection and well-organized! I found the Time Zone record I was looking for and also picked…read moreup the Blast From the Cellar release from the Cheap Kiss label, which is excellent. I appreciated being able to browse for books too. Will be back!

Alot to peruse here, but not cheap for sure. No cut out section, no cheapo bin. Not bad, just a new…read moreage record store so expect the prices but support the industry

Curbside Books & Records

3.0

(2 reviews)

Stay away!! They accept orders and take your money, but then ghost. I never received my items, and…read morethey ignored all contact attempts.

This is a tiny little shop in the back corner of Revival Cafe. The selection is very small but…read moreexpertly curated, exactly what I like to shop. Yesterday, in 10 or 15 minutes, I discovered dozens of books and records I wanted, although I exercised self-control and left with a single album that the shopkeeper highly recommended. I really loved the handwritten notes displayed amongst the books and records. It's an aesthetically charming touch that somehow feels more genuine here than at other shops doing something similar. Browsing Curbside was a nice little highlight to my Friday afternoon. Highly recommend stopping by.

Groove Distribution

5.0

(1 review)