For the Record - A Guide to Berlin's Best Record Stores

                                                         

Rotation Boutique

Address: Weinbergsweg 3, 10119, Mitte

U-Bahn: Rosenthaler Platz

Opening times: Mon-Sat 12pm-7pm

Website: rotation-records.de                                                

                                                               

Da Capo                                                           

Address: Kastanienallee 96, 10432, Prenzlauer Berg                   

U-Bahn: Eberswalder Straβe                                

Opening times: Tue-Fri 12pm-7pm, Sat 12pm-6pm                     

Website: da-capo-vinyl.com    

Core Tex                                                                Hardwax

Address: Oranienstraβe 3, 10997, Kreuzberg            Address: Paul-Lincke-Ufer 44, 10999, Kreuzberg

U-Bahn: Kottbusser Tor                                           U-Bahn: Kottbusser Tor

Opening times: Mon-Fri 11am-8pm, Sat 11am-6pm  Opening times: Mon-Sat 12pm-8pm

Website: coretexrecords.com                                           Website: hardwax.com
                                  

It seems that record stores are quickly becoming a thing of the past; with digital media causing low CD sales and the closure of major chains. Thankfully this problem doesn’t seem to have affected Berlin. The city is heaving with small, independent record stores that form the basis of its vast and diverse music scene.
Hardwax is a world renowned record store that has been at the heart of Berlin’s techno scene since its emergence in the early 80’s. The shop is very well hidden on the third floor of a rundown building set behind a row of shops that overlook the canal on Paul-Lincke-Ufer.  Inside the bare brick walls and sticker-coated steel door there is an extensive collection of techno, electronic and dubstep records from the US, UK and Europe. There is also an alcove at the back lined with DJ decks where you can listen to the latest club bangers before purchasing.
All you hardcore, punk and metal fans, who like your music with a bit more bite, should spike up your Mohawks and head down to Core Tex on Oranienstraβe. Here you will find an impressive selection of all things heavy, from metalcore to psychorockabilly as well as tickets to upcoming gigs. You can snatch up a classic LP for a bargain from one of the second hand/rarities bins in front of the counter. The store also sells badges, patches, pins and an array of t-shirts and hoodies, including their signature ‘Don’t Mess with Kreuzberg’ top. But no punk rocker is complete without owning a pair of classic Doc Martin boots, costing just over 100€.
If you are more interested in your golden oldies then Da Capo, in Prenzlauer Berg, is the place to visit. The store, discernible by the group of locals outside smoking around an old petrol barrel, is a more traditional, dusty record store. The rooms are dimly lit, the walls cluttered with vintage posters and a black and white tarpaulin hanging from the ceiling. Flick through the shelves crammed with vintage pop, rock and soul vinyl from the 60’s and 70’s to discover some rare treasures. There is even a section dedicated records released during the GDR days. A small bookshop, selling German classics, is also squeezed into the tiny back room.
Rotation Boutique, in Mitte, is a stylish, modern record store. Once the centre of the city’s techno and house scene, it shifted focus in 2010 towards fashion. However if you search past the rails displaying overpriced shirts from independent designers you can still find a small yet rich selection of records. It remains a great place to pick up the latest releases in house/electronica as well as some classics from the second hand section stuffed in boxes at the back of the shop.