Your Guide to Montreal's Thriving Record Store Scene
Montreal stands as one of North America's most vibrant cities for vinyl collectors, with over 30 record stores scattered across its diverse neighborhoods. From the indie havens of Mile End to the eclectic shops along Mont-Royal Avenue, the city's bilingual culture and rich musical heritage have created a unique vinyl ecosystem. Whether you're hunting for Québécois pressings, jazz rarities, or the latest indie releases, Montreal's record stores reflect the city's reputation as a UNESCO City of Design and cultural powerhouse. The city's affordable rent (compared to Toronto or Vancouver) has allowed independent shops to flourish, making it a true digger's paradise.
All Record Stores in Montreal
Le Noise Longueuil
874 Rue Saint-Laurent O, Longueuil, QC J4K 5E9, Canada
180g café - disquaire
5866 Av. De Lorimier, Montréal, QC H2G 2N9, Canada
Le Vacarme
6250 Rue St-Hubert, Montréal, QC H2S 2M2, Canada
La Rama Records
77 Rue Bernard O, Montréal, QC H2T 2J9, Canada
Atom Heart, musique alternative
364 R. Sherbrooke E, Montréal, QC H2X 1E6, Canada
Le Rappel
1535 Rue Fleury E, Montréal, QC H2C 1S5, Canada
Aux 33 Tours
1373 Avenue du Mont-Royal E, Montréal, QC H2J 1Y8, Canada
Encore Books & Records
5670 Rue Sherbrooke O, Montréal, QC H4A 1W7, Canada
Oblique (L')
4333 Rue Rivard, Montréal, QC H2J 2M7, Canada
Freeson Rock
1477 Avenue du Mont-Royal E, Montréal, QC H2J 1Z1, Canada
CD Échange Musique
1317 Rue Bélanger, Montréal, QC H2G 1A2, Canada
Musique-Disque Sonik
4050 Rue Berri, Montréal, QC H2L 4H3, Canada
Cheap Thrills
2044 Rue Metcalfe, Montréal, QC H3A 1X8, Canada
Musique Beatnick
3770 R. Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2W 2M1, Canada
LA FIN DU VINYLE/DEATH OF VINYL
6442 Boul. Saint-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2S 3C4, Canada
Phonopolis Record Store
207 Rue Bernard O, Montréal, QC H2T 2K5, Canada
Sonorama Disques
260 Rue Bernard O, Montréal, QC H2V 1T4, Canada
Les Disquaires Sunrise
7077 Bd Newman, LaSalle, QC H8N 0K1, Canada
Le Pick-Up
169 Ave des Pins E, Montréal, QC H2W 1N9, Canada
Paul Boutique
112 Avenue du Mont-Royal E, Montréal, QC H2T 1N8, Canada
The Vinyl Scene in Montreal
Montreal's vinyl culture is deeply rooted in its history as a major recording hub, with labels like Attic Records and Aquarius Records pressing countless Canadian classics throughout the 1960s and 70s. The city's legendary venues like Café Campus and Casa del Popolo have nurtured generations of musicians, from Leonard Cohen to Arcade Fire, creating a collector's market for local pressings. The bilingual nature of Montreal means record stores carry both English and French releases, with a strong emphasis on chanson québécoise, French-Canadian folk, and the province's thriving indie rock scene. The city's winter months drive vinyl enthusiasts indoors, creating a year-round community of serious collectors who gather at listening bars and record shops. Montreal's affordable cost of living compared to other major cities has allowed boutique record stores to survive and thrive where others have closed, maintaining a density of shops rarely seen in North American cities. The influence of McGill University and Concordia University also brings a constant influx of students seeking both vintage finds and new releases, keeping the market dynamic and diverse.
Best Neighborhoods for Record Shopping
Mile End remains the epicenter of Montreal's vinyl scene, with multiple record stores clustered along Saint-Laurent Boulevard and Bernard Street, making it possible to visit five or six shops on foot in a single afternoon. The Plateau Mont-Royal, particularly along Mont-Royal Avenue East, offers another concentration of record stores mixed with vintage clothing shops and cafés, creating an ideal environment for a full day of digging. Downtown Montreal, especially around Sainte-Catherine Street, features larger stores and chain outlets alongside independent shops, catering to both casual buyers and serious collectors. The Saint-Henri neighborhood has emerged as a newer vinyl destination, with gentrification bringing boutique record stores to Notre-Dame Street West. Each area reflects different aspects of Montreal's music culture: Mile End skews indie and alternative, the Plateau offers more eclectic and world music selections, while downtown provides the broadest commercial selection. The city's excellent metro system makes neighborhood-hopping easy, though many collectors prefer to spend entire afternoons in Mile End alone given its walkable concentration of shops.
What Genres & Pressings to Look For
Montreal collectors should prioritize chanson québécoise records from artists like Félix Leclerc, Gilles Vigneault, and Robert Charlebois, which are plentiful locally but harder to find elsewhere. The city's jazz heritage, anchored by the Montreal International Jazz Festival, means excellent selections of Oscar Peterson, Oliver Jones, and other Canadian jazz pressings are regularly available. French pressings of international artists are more common here than in English Canada, offering collectors access to different masters and unique cover art variations. Montreal's indie rock explosion in the 2000s created a strong market for Arcade Fire, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and Wolf Parade records, with local first pressings commanding premium prices. The city's electronic music scene, from Musique Concrète pioneers to modern techno, is well-represented in shops catering to dance music collectors. Look for pressings on local labels like Constellation Records, Secret City Records, and Indica Records, which often feature superior packaging and limited runs that appreciate in value.
New vs. Used Vinyl in Montreal
Montreal's record stores maintain a healthy balance between new releases and used stock, with many shops dedicating equal floor space to both. Used vinyl prices remain reasonable compared to Toronto or Vancouver, with common records starting around $5-8 CAD and rare finds typically ranging from $20-50 CAD rather than the inflated prices seen in larger markets. The city's large student population and frequent apartment turnover means a steady stream of collections entering the used market, keeping inventory fresh and diverse. Condition standards are generally high, with most established shops grading conservatively and allowing customers to inspect records before purchase. New vinyl prices follow standard Canadian retail, typically $28-35 CAD for standard LPs, though local releases sometimes offer better value when purchased directly from the labels or at shows.
Record Store Day & Local Vinyl Events
Record Store Day in Montreal sees massive turnouts at participating shops, with stores in Mile End often having lineups before opening and selling through limited releases within hours. Beyond RSD, the city hosts regular vinyl events including the Montreal Record Show, which occurs multiple times per year at venues like the Ukrainian Federation and brings together dozens of dealers. Pop Montreal, the annual indie music festival held each September, incorporates record fairs and in-store performances that draw collectors from across North America. Many shops host weekly or monthly DJ nights, listening parties, and album release events, creating a social scene around vinyl that extends beyond pure commerce. The long winters actually intensify vinyl culture, with shops serving as community gathering spaces and February often seeing special sales to combat seasonal slowdowns.
Vinyl Shopping Tips for Montreal
Master the Metro for Record Shopping
Montreal's metro system makes record store hopping incredibly efficient—the Orange Line connects downtown shops to Mile End (Laurier or Rosemont stations), while the Green Line serves Plateau stores (Mont-Royal station). Most serious collectors plan routes hitting 6-8 shops in a day by combining walking with strategic metro jumps. Bring a sturdy backpack or tote bag as you'll accumulate records quickly across multiple stops.
Visit During Winter for Best Deals
Montreal's brutal winters (January-February) mean fewer tourists and locals staying indoors, creating opportunities for negotiation and special sales as shops move inventory. Many stores run winter clearance events to generate cash flow during slower months, and you'll have more time to chat with staff and dig through bins without crowds. The trade-off is navigating snow and cold, but serious finds make it worthwhile for dedicated collectors.
Explore Bilingual Bins for Unique Finds
Don't skip the French-language sections even if you don't speak French—Montreal stores carry incredible French pressings of international artists with different artwork and masters, plus chanson québécoise that's virtually impossible to find outside Quebec. Prices on French-Canadian folk and pop are often lower locally than what international collectors pay online. Store staff are generally bilingual and happy to provide context on Québécois artists worth exploring.
FAQ - Record Stores in Montreal
| Where can I buy vinyl records in Montreal? | Montreal's 30+ record stores are concentrated primarily in Mile End along Saint-Laurent Boulevard, the Plateau on Mont-Royal Avenue, and downtown near Sainte-Catherine Street. You'll find everything from specialist shops focusing on jazz or electronic music to general stores carrying new releases and deep used bins. The metro system makes it easy to hop between neighborhoods, though Mile End alone offers enough shops for a full afternoon of digging. Many stores are within walking distance of each other, creating natural record-shopping circuits. |
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| What are the best record stores in Montreal? | Montreal offers diverse record shopping from legendary stores like Cheap Thrills and Atom Heart with deep used selections, to specialist shops focusing on electronic, jazz, or Québécois music. The city supports both larger stores with comprehensive new release sections and tiny boutiques run by passionate collectors who curate highly specific inventories. You'll find everything from punk and metal specialists to stores dedicated to soundtracks and world music. The bilingual nature of the city means many shops carry exceptional French pressings and chanson québécoise alongside English-language releases. |
| Where to find used vinyl records in Montreal? | Used vinyl is abundant in Montreal's dedicated record stores, particularly in Mile End and the Plateau where shops maintain extensive second-hand sections organized by genre. Beyond record stores, check the monthly Montreal Record Show for dealers specializing in vintage stock, and explore neighborhood flea markets like Marché aux Puces Saint-Michel. Thrift stores like Renaissance and Village des Valeurs occasionally yield finds, though serious collectors focus on the city's specialized used vinyl dealers who grade accurately and price fairly. |
| Do record stores in Montreal buy vinyl collections? | Most established Montreal record stores buy collections, either offering cash or store credit, with many providing higher value for credit. Stores typically prefer to assess collections in-person, though some will review inventory lists for larger collections and arrange pickup. Expect fair but wholesale pricing—stores generally offer 30-40% of estimated resale value, more for rare or in-demand items, less for common records. |
| When is Record Store Day in Montreal? | Record Store Day occurs annually on the third Saturday in April, with a second Black Friday event in November, and Montreal's participating stores go all-out with special releases, in-store performances, and sales. Serious collectors line up early at popular Mile End shops, sometimes arriving hours before opening to secure limited releases. Check individual store social media in advance as many announce their RSD stock and organize numbered wristbands or ticketing systems to manage crowds. |
| What vinyl is Montreal known for? | Montreal is renowned for chanson québécoise pressings from artists like Félix Leclerc and Harmonium, which are plentiful locally but rare elsewhere. The city's indie rock legacy means Arcade Fire, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and Constellation Records releases are collector favorites, often available in local first pressings. Jazz collectors seek out Oscar Peterson Canadian pressings and recordings from the Montreal Jazz Festival's long history, while electronic music fans hunt for releases on labels like Turbo Recordings and Musique Risquée. |
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