Tucked inside Rockefeller Center at 1250 6th Avenue, Rough Trade Above is one of New York City’s most celebrated record stores, drawing music lovers from every corner of the world. With a 4.5-star rating from over 2,600 reviews, this iconic indie shop has earned its reputation for stocking an impressive range of vinyl, CDs, cassettes, and music merchandise.
Whether you are a seasoned collector hunting rare pressings or a curious newcomer just discovering the magic of physical music, this place has something special waiting for you. Get ready to explore everything that makes Rough Trade Above a must-visit destination in the heart of NYC.
A Vinyl Collection That Goes on Forever
Walking into Rough Trade Above for the first time feels like stepping into a music lover’s dream. Rows upon rows of vinyl records stretch across the floor, organized thoughtfully so you can actually find what you are looking for without losing your mind.
The selection covers everything from classic rock and jazz to underground hip-hop and experimental electronic music. One reviewer described finding a Sleepytime Trio reissue — proof that even the most niche tastes are catered to here.
New releases sit alongside carefully chosen reissues, giving both trend-followers and deep-cut hunters plenty to celebrate. Another happy shopper walked out with The Doors’ L.A.
Woman on Rhino High Fidelity vinyl after just an hour of browsing. Whether you want something fresh or something forgotten, the shelves at Rough Trade Above rarely disappoint a determined music fan.
Two Stores, Double the Discovery
Most people do not realize when they walk through the front door that Rough Trade Above is only half the story. Right below, connected through the building, sits a second Rough Trade location — offering even more music to explore across a different floor entirely.
One reviewer described spending a full hour browsing upstairs before even realizing there was another store waiting downstairs. That kind of discovery is what makes a trip here feel genuinely exciting rather than routine.
Together, the two spaces form one of the largest music retail footprints in midtown Manhattan. Regulars recommend treating both floors as separate experiences rather than rushing through them back to back.
Start upstairs, take your time, then head below for a fresh round of browsing. You will likely find things on each floor that you would have completely missed on the other.
Thoughtfully Curated, Not Just Stacked High
There is a big difference between a store that simply stocks a lot of records and one that actually thinks about what it puts on the shelves. Rough Trade Above clearly falls into the second category, and shoppers notice it immediately.
One five-star reviewer put it perfectly, saying the selection feels “really thoughtfully curated” with genuine personality and depth behind every section. Underground artists share shelf space with mainstream favorites, creating a browsing experience that feels balanced and surprising at the same time.
The staff’s passion for music clearly influences what ends up in the store. You are not just seeing whatever the distributor pushed that week — you are seeing choices made by people who genuinely care about sound.
That editorial quality is rare in a retail environment and is one of the biggest reasons first-time visitors so often become loyal regulars.
A Staff That Goes Above and Beyond
Ask almost any regular at Rough Trade Above what keeps them coming back, and the answer often comes down to one thing — the people working there. Staff members like Karin and Sage have built loyal followings among customers who return specifically because of the help they received.
One shopper emailed asking if a record from a separate order could be added to a shipment going to their house. Sage handled it quickly and without any fuss, earning a glowing shoutout in the review.
Another customer, Marc, went out of his way to comfort a heartbroken fan who had missed a record signing — and even gave away his own concert tickets.
Stories like these show that the best thing about Rough Trade Above might not be the records at all. When a store’s team cares this deeply, every visit becomes something worth remembering long after you walk out the door.
Live Music Events and Record Signings
Rough Trade Above is not just a place to buy music — it is a place where music actually happens. The store regularly hosts live performances, album release parties, and artist signing sessions that turn a shopping trip into a full-on cultural experience.
One reviewer shared a touching story about missing a signing for their favorite band, only to have a staff member step in with a signed insert and even a pair of concert tickets. Another reviewer mentioned filming an album release party for legendary hip-hop artist Chuck D of Public Enemy right inside the store.
Events like these happen regularly enough that checking the schedule before your visit is genuinely worth doing. Whether you stumble into a signing or plan ahead for a live set, catching a performance at Rough Trade Above adds a layer to the experience that no streaming service can replicate.
The Fan-Favorite Photo Booth
Hidden among the record bins and band tees, one of Rough Trade Above’s most talked-about features is not a record at all — it is a photo booth. For just five dollars, you can snap a strip of photos as a souvenir of your visit, surrounded by music history on every wall.
Celebrity photographs line the walls around the booth, adding a cool backstage vibe to the whole corner of the store. Multiple reviewers mentioned stopping specifically to take instant pictures, calling it a highlight of the trip even for people who came in just to browse vinyl.
One reviewer did mention their card was not accepted by the machine, so bringing a little cash just in case is a smart move. Still, the photo booth has become a beloved ritual for many visitors and a fun way to mark the moment you spent time in one of NYC’s coolest music spaces.
Cassettes, CDs, and More Than Just Vinyl
Vinyl may be the star of the show at Rough Trade Above, but the store does not stop there. Cassettes, CDs, and other physical music formats share shelf space with the records, making this a destination for collectors of all kinds of tangible music media.
One reviewer was thrilled to discover cassettes still available for purchase, a format that has seen a surprising comeback among younger music fans. Another shopper admitted some disappointment at the smaller CD section compared to the vinyl offerings, though still gave the store four stars for overall quality.
Physical music formats carry something digital streaming simply cannot offer — album artwork you can hold, liner notes you can actually read, and the tactile satisfaction of owning something real. Rough Trade Above understands this better than most, which is why it stocks multiple formats rather than betting everything on a single medium.
Music Merchandise and Band Apparel
Flip through enough records and you might walk right past one of Rough Trade Above’s other great sections — the merchandise wall. Band tees, posters, and accessories share floor space with the music, giving shoppers a chance to wear their taste as well as listen to it.
One reviewer found a rare Clash shirt with Japanese captions tucked in among the clothing racks, the kind of unexpected find that makes browsing feel like a treasure hunt. Another walked away with a David Bowie album and clearly had a great time doing it.
The clothing section skews toward iconic and edgy acts rather than generic pop fare, which fits perfectly with the store’s overall personality. Even if you come in planning to buy only records, it is worth taking a few minutes to flip through the shirts.
You never know what piece of wearable music history might be waiting on the rack.
The Iconic Floor Art That Stops You Mid-Step
Most stores try to impress you at eye level. Rough Trade Above also goes for your feet.
The floor inside the store is famously decorated with album artwork, turning the simple act of walking through the space into its own kind of visual experience.
One reviewer described it as “insanely cool,” noting the thrill of looking down and spotting a favorite album cover right beneath their sneakers. It is the kind of design detail that signals a store genuinely built by music obsessives rather than corporate planners.
Details like this are what separate a good record store from a truly memorable one. The floor art is not just decoration — it is a statement about how seriously Rough Trade takes the culture surrounding music.
First-time visitors often stop mid-stride to look down, snap a photo, and appreciate a retail space that clearly had its soul poured into every square inch.
A Welcoming Space for Every Kind of Music Fan
Record stores have not always had the friendliest reputation for newcomers, especially younger fans or people just starting to explore vinyl. Rough Trade Above is making a genuine effort to change that, and shoppers have noticed in a big way.
One young woman wrote that she had never felt more comfortable in a record store, describing how nervous she usually feels in these spaces and how Rough Trade Above was the complete opposite. That kind of welcoming energy does not happen by accident — it takes intentional effort from every person on the floor.
From first-time vinyl buyers to decade-long collectors, the store draws a genuinely mixed crowd. The atmosphere encourages browsing at your own pace without pressure or judgment.
Whether you know exactly what you want or have absolutely no idea where to start, walking through the door at Rough Trade Above feels like arriving somewhere you actually belong.
Autographed Items and Rare Finds
Beyond the standard shelves, Rough Trade Above occasionally stocks something that makes serious collectors stop cold — autographed items. Signed records and memorabilia pop up in the inventory, adding a layer of excitement to every visit since you never quite know what might be available.
One reviewer specifically called out the autographed merchandise as a highlight of the store, recommending it as a reason alone to stop in when passing through midtown. Given the store’s history of hosting signings from artists like Doug E Fresh and Chuck D, the pipeline for signed items makes perfect sense.
Finding a signed record in the wild feels like winning a small lottery, especially when the artist is someone you genuinely love. Rough Trade Above creates the conditions where that kind of discovery is possible, which is exactly what a great record store should do for the people who walk through its doors.
Record Accessories and Protective Sleeves Available In-Store
Buying a beautiful record is only half the battle — keeping it in great condition is the other half. Rough Trade Above stocks protective inner and outer sleeves for purchase right inside the store, which is a detail that record collectors absolutely love and rarely find in one convenient place.
One experienced reviewer specifically praised this feature, noting that most record shops do not bother offering accessories alongside their inventory. Having sleeves available means you can protect your new purchase the moment you leave the building rather than scrambling to find supplies elsewhere.
For newer collectors who might not even know these accessories exist, stumbling across them at Rough Trade Above is a genuinely useful discovery. The store seems to understand that selling records is not just about the transaction — it is about helping people build a collection they can enjoy and preserve for years to come.
Conveniently Located in the Heart of Rockefeller Center
Location matters, and Rough Trade Above has one of the best addresses in the city. Sitting at 1250 6th Avenue right inside Rockefeller Center, the store is easily reachable whether you are a local on lunch break or a tourist spending a day in midtown Manhattan.
The store is open every day of the week from 10 AM to 8 PM, giving plenty of flexibility for spontaneous visits or planned detours. One reviewer admitted they originally assumed the location would make it feel like a tourist trap, only to be completely surprised by how authentic and serious the store turned out to be.
You can reach Rough Trade Above by phone at +1 212-664-1110 or browse their catalog ahead of time at roughtrade.com. Whether you are walking by after visiting Top of the Rock or specifically making the trip, the store rewards every kind of visitor equally.
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