Convenience might be king in today’s world, but nothing trumps a good old fashion record store stocked with what could be your next treasure. Readers who have been with me for some years now might remember the cover story of my trip to Japan or the U.S. and surely more will follow. There is just one city missing that I call my home and that has been my holy hunting ground for years. Even if I was lucky enough to visit Japan twice and have walked around the same streets more than once, I know the streets of Rotterdam including its record stores like the back of my hand. I could have shared this story when I was still living in the heart of Rotterdam, but it is true what they say about you never consider yourself a tourist in your own city. The idea about writing about Rotterdam hasn’t even crossed my mind until recently. This might as well be the opportune moment to share with you some of my favorite record stores in Rotterdam since the record stores need you more than ever after being hit very hard the past years. For some records stores that means they have unfortunately vanished from the shopping streets (Best Kept Records and Pinkman as the most recent examples). Don’t wail for too long as there are still plenty of record stores in Rotterdam and the surrounding area for you to have a go. Hereby some tips from a local who has spent a great deal of his time around the record stores in Rotterdam. As an added bonus, I included the record stores in neighboring city Schiedam as well which you will be able to find further down the page. All stores are verified and open for business whilst writing this article.
HET OUDE WESTEN
For 7 years this has been my starting point for every trip regardless of that being a record store visit, a concert or going for a beer with friends. I know the place by heart and would recommend everyone to visit the most versatile neighbourhood of Rotterdam during a day of record hunting. Next to the record stores in Rotterdam that are located within this neighbourhood, there are some other things that could come in handy or worthwhile to visit while you are there. If the Oude Westen area is your starting point, I would recommend starting at Plaatboef because they open early. Right next to it you can find Koekela, famous for their cookies, cakes and bars in case you skipped breakfast. Be warned that usually a que is lining up at Koekela in the weekends, so the later you go the longer you have to wait. Or walk a couple of minutes towards Lilith Coffee where all the local hipsters have their morning coffee or hang-over brunch. If you fancy savory more than sweet, look no further. At Jordy’s Bakery they sell great home made sandwiches. During the weekend, especially when the street has risen from its slumber, make your way back towards where Boudewijn, Rotown, Bar3 and Stalles are situated to enjoy a beer, the crowd and live music anywhere on the street during summer.
Vinylspot
One of my regular spots (pun intended) to visit is somewhat hidden in a bystreet named “Josephstraat” of “de Nieuwe Binnenweg”- the multi-cultural heart of Rotterdam featuring two other record stores on 
this list. Apart from the owner Lex, who is a walking talking encyclopedia, Vinylspot is a real treasure house with lots of Vinyl in excellent condition with both oddities and rarities as well as your somewhat more uncommon oldies from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. The selection is made out of mostly Jazz, Rock, R&B, Soul, Funk, World and Reggae but also offers some Exotic covers for example. Close to the counter there are four boxes with rarities and behind the counter on the wall you can find some more. Lex is always up for a talk and has a large network he can use to locate a specific record you are looking for when asked (prices may vary). They offer a selection of cheaper records in the room on the lefthand side when entering next to some audio equipment, books and other collectables. If you found something worthwhile, you can listen to it on one of the two listening stations looking out on the “Rijnhoutplein” square which also houses Leeszaal. Leeszaal is basically a free library where anyone can bring and take books no questions asked. Vinylspot is all about secondhand, so don’t expect to find any new records here.
Vinylspot just launched their own webshop, so the perfect opportunity to have a look at what they offer before paying a visit. Lex told me he focusses on adding some Jazz rarities first, before moving on with some other genres, so it might not be a holistic view on what the store currently stocks. Over time this will hopefully balance out a bit. You can check out their newest arrivals on the Vinylspot Instagram handle (@vinylspot).
Good for: if you are looking for rare items this is probably the best record store in Rotterdam to visit. You are probably also going to spend some good money. Biggest selection of Jazz in Rotterdam or maybe anywhere in the Netherlands as far as I know. Also a good selection of World music and Reggae Vinyl down to your 12 inch disco mixes.
Memorable finds: The Congos Heart Of The Congos, The Upsetters Return Of The Super Ape, and This Is Augustus Pablo spring to mind.
Google maps link: click here.
Opening hours:
Wednesday 12:00 – 18:00
Thursday 12:00 – 18:00
Friday 12:00 – 18:00
Saturday 12:00 – 17:00
De Plaatboef
Being in the same street as where I used to live, I can’t imagine any other record store that I have stepped in more times than de Plaatboef. This is crate diggers heaven right in the bustling heart of 
Rotterdam and during the weekends the inside of the store is no different. Literally stocked from top to bottom, it is worth it to spent some more time going through all that they offer including the CD section. Most luck I had in the newly arrived section in front of the counter or on the second floor. Don’t forget to look in the boxes stuffed under the normal record bins holding your A -Z second hand records. I mostly chat with longtime staff member Jorrit, but the somewhat rotating staff in general is very friendly and always helpful to locate something, reserve or trade-in records if requested. If you are planning your trip it might be worthwhile to visit the store outside the weekend so it is a little more quiet. If you walk past the counter there is a room down the stairs with dirt cheap records. For me this never yielded anything worth mentioning, therefore at some point I decided to invest my time in other places. There are probably a lot of collectors out there
that have a different story, so go and try your luck. The ground floor is mainly dedicated to new Vinyl and CD’s chronologically ordered from A-Z apart from the genre bins. The Reggae bin is always worthwhile to go through if you ask me. Most collectors are with their heads in the bins flipping through records like a maniac. Understandable, but sometimes it is also good to keep looking up as the wall on both sides of the counter as well as the glass case next to the counter holds some rarities and boxsets. Some of their stock is also available on Discogs, so you can get a little bit of an insight as to what the store holds. Seeing the amount of records and how busy the store is, I would say this is just a fraction of what they have so it is definitely worth paying a visit even if it is just for the atmosphere. It is also worth asking the staff if there is any Vinyl that has just arrived and hasn’t even been properly stocked or checked. This is a long shot, but in my experience you only have to be lucky once to remember for a life time. Close to the counter they have a turn table and CD player that you can use to listen to some music, but mind you when it gets crowded you will probably have to wait a bit or have perfect timing.
Good for: good old record hunting in Rotterdam. Easily the biggest offer in terms of sheer amount of Vinyl records and CD’s (both new and second hand) stocked in one place. Great chance of finding yourself a bargain. I would be amazed if you leave the store without buying at least one item.
Memorable finds: Seke Molenga & Kalo Kawongolo, Dandy Livingstone – South African Experience among a good portion of my Reggae collection.
Google maps link: click here.
Opening hours:
Monday 12:00 – 18:00
Tuesday 10:00 – 18:00
Wednesday 10:00 – 18:00
Thursday 10:00 – 18:00
Friday 10:00 – 21:00
Saturday 10:00 – 18:00
Sunday 12:00 – 17:00
Demonfuzz Records
Just across the street from de Plaatboef, ideally situated to combine in one go together with Vinylspot as all are not more than 5 minutes apart from each other, you can find Demonfuzz Records. I always have imagined that the name of the store is a tribute to the band that goes by the same name, but during all the conversations with mainly Michael I was never able to verify. Again a fantastic record store that offers almost all genres you can imagine even though some genres definitely stand out in terms of the quantity. They have a huge selection of Hip Hop and Soul records while World music is also well represented next to a more than decent Jazz and Rock section. Out of all the stores in Rotterdam, Demonfuzz together with Clone Records cater to DJ’s more than all other record stores in Rotterdam. The record store offers new Vinyl, however the majority is second hand. Another cool fact to be aware of is that Demon Fuzz is also home to DJ Git Hyper, a renowned DJ who has been active on the music scene for over three decades. A great place to look for records that anyone would pass up but could hide a very cool drum break that will take you by surprise. The staff takes great care of the store and everything is neatly organized and they do understand the power of a good looking store window as it is always a pleasure to walk past the store to find out what cover art theme you come across. They set themselves apart for having excellent graded items often on the high-end of the price scale but they more than make up for it with the quality of their selection and the state the records are in. Definitely have a go at the second hand “new arrivals” bins throughout the store. After they sacrificed some floor space to house more records for their online sales, the store now holds more records than ever as they outsourced their online stock to a separate warehouse. They offer two listening stations that now are equipped with modular Repeat headphones which you can also purchase right in the store together with a stack of shiny (new) records!
Good for: amazing offer of second hand records mostly in excellent condition, hard to find extended or special mixes or being referred by the staff to some of their favorites items they currently stock. The biggest selection of Hip Hop vinyl including 12 inch mixes of all the record stores in Rotterdam as well as a nice selection of Rock and Soul 7 inch singles.
Memorable finds: the staff recommend me Analog Africa’s Verckys Et L’Orchestre Vévé which I deeply love to this day and I picked up a copy of Hugh Mundell and Lacksley Castell’s Jah Fire some years ago.
Google maps link: click here.
Opening hours:
Tuesday 12:00 – 18:00
Wednesday 12:00 – 18:00
Thursday 12:00 – 18:00
Friday 12:00 – 18:00
Saturday 12:00 – 18:00
VelvetMusic Rotterdam
We close het Oude Westen neighbourhood with VelvetMusic Rotterdam, part of a larger chain with two of their record stores in Rotterdam. One is located at “de Oude Binnenweg” just before you reach the 
main shopping district of Rotterdam and the other is part of a large bookstore named Donner which is housed in one of the few remaining historical buildings in Rotterdam. The Rotterdamsche Bank – as the building was originally called – was built during World War 2 and only completed 4 year after the war ended as the previous building was bombed during the war. They often hold live performances by local bands in order to support their music, so it’s nice to check their socials before going. Both stores don’t offer second hand items and focus on new releases or reissues only, both on Vinyl and CD. The store located at “de Oude Binnenweg” has a nice selection of CD’s on the second floor which is always worthwhile to browse through and as an added bonus the store is very near to my favorite liquor store Library Of Sprits. Not that I visit it on a weekly basis, but maybe you can buy a bottle of whiskey or rum that pairs nicely with the record(s) you’ve just bought.
Good for: if you are on the look-out for any new releases or reissue’s on Vinyl or CD with an focus on today’s more popular music.
Memorable finds: Yola’s Walk Through The Fire including a canvas promotional piece and RSD 23 Ernest Ranglin’s Below The Bassline.
Google maps link: click here (VelvetMusic Rotterdam) and here for (VelvetMusic Donner).
Opening hours:
Location Rotterdam Donner
Monday 12:00 – 18:00 11:00 – 18:00
Tuesday 10:00 – 18:00 09:30 – 18:00
Wednesday 10:00 – 18:00 09:30 – 18:00
Thursday 10:00 – 18:00 09:30 – 18:00
Friday 10:00 – 21:00 09:30 – 21:00
Saturday 10:00 – 18:00 09:30 – 18:00
Sunday 12:00 – 17:00 12:00 – 18:00
ROTTERDAM NOORD
A larger district in the North of the city with abundance of life, art and food culture. Before we head into some of the record stores in Rotterdam Noord, I would like to recommend a few places that are definitely worth checking out if you are in the vicinity. The best thing is to just walk along the old railway track “de Hofbogen” of which the top deck is transformed to a lush green park and the arches holding the former railway track broken open to house the many unique stores, bars, restaurants and a live music venue. The architecture is something to enjoy whether you are looking for records or not and mostly the inside is as exciting as the exterior. If architecture is your thing, you should definitely check out the old prison that has been transformed to house 119 apartments in which the monumental value of the building is kept including its gardens which are open to the public. It might take you 10 minutes walking from the old railway track to reach the Tuin van Noord. After spending some time walking around and working up a sweat from record hunting, you might want to boost your energy levels. What better place than Man Met Bril to taste the best coffee in town. Upon planning your trip to visit some of the record stores in Rotterdam Noord, it could be worthwhile to check the agenda of Bird. It might just be the excellent opportunity to buy some tickets for a live show or just chill at the end of the day at the garden of Bird with it’s outside bar and bistro housed in repurposed sea containers. The garden of Bird is open from early April every Tuesday to Saturday from 16:00 with local DJ’s playing their favorite tunes.
Clone Records
Clone Records used to be located close to “de Nieuwe Binnenweg” (het Oude Westen area) but relocated already a number of years ago to their new location housed in one of the arches underneath the old
railway track. Apart from the cool architecture, the store is almost entirely dedicated to new releases and reissues on (small) independent labels including their own. Most of what they stock is (independent) electronic music and they have a huge selection down to the smallest sub genres, styles and often overlooked gems. Their selection also borders genres like Reggae, Soul, Funk, Jazz, Afro Beat and often includes a smaller selection of each genre respectively. The store itself is fully focused on selling Vinyl but most of what they sell is also available digitally.
Good for: finding some cool beats that works both on the dance floor as well as in your living room. All their items on the website come with a short description and you can listen to snippets most of the tracks. DJ’s and producers probably already know the store as it is also the place to promote and sell your own releases.
Memorable finds: a reissue of Eddie “Smeero” Hazel’s Game, Dames and Guitar Thangs.
Google maps link: click here.
Opening hours:
Monday 10:30 – 18:00
Tuesday 10:30 – 18:00
Wednesday 10:30 – 18:00
Thursday 10:30 – 18:00
Friday 10:30 – 21:00
Saturday 10:30 – 18:00
Sunday 12:00 – 17:00
De Oorzaak
Another cool “oldschool” record store that stocks about all genres from the 70’s up till the 00’s mostly focused on second hand records and to lesser extent CD’s. The condition the records are in might vary and it is recommended to take a good look and listen to know what you are buying. What definitely works in their favor and kept me coming back, is the fact they often stock different second hand titles than the other records stores in Rotterdam and their prices are very reasonable. You never quite know what you are going to come across, exactly what makes record hunting so exciting in the first place. De Oorzaak is also housed in the old railway track just 5 minutes walking from Clone Records and another 2 minutes for the best coffee in Rotterdam. They have a turn table on service which you can use to listen to any of the records you pulled out of the bins. You can check out their newest arrivals on Instagram (@_de_oorzaak_) before going if you need a last push.
Good for: good old crate digging to complement your collection with titles you where still missing or perhaps finding that long lost gem that you haven’t been able to get your hands on.
Memorable finds: Dennis Brown’s Joseph’s Coat Of Many Colours, Words Of Wisdom, and West Bound Train to complement my collection of the Crown Prince of Reggae.
Google map link: click here.
Opening hours:
Wednesday 13:00 – 18:00
Thursday 13:00 – 18:00
Friday 13:00 – 18:00
Saturday 13:00 – 18:00
VanHoffe In en Verkoop
Maybe not a record store as many would envision a record store to look like or how most would store their records, but Hans always knows if he has the title you are looking for and is able to track it down amongst the stacks on Vinyl. If you are looking for pristine records, neatly categorized for you to go through this might not be the record store for you. If you are looking for a nice chat, some insights about the local scene, or music in general, Hans is your guy. You never know, if perhaps during the conversation all of a sudden Hans vanishes to search between the stacks of records, what he comes up with. He might not remember it, but he recommend Fotheringay to me which is now one of my favorite records that still gets plenty of airtime. Thanks Hans!
Good for: pressing your luck and let Hans dig out something that might take you by surprise.
Memorable finds: US version of Natty Dread by Bob Marley and The Wailers.
Google maps link: click here.
Opening hours:
Monday 13:00 – 18:00
Tuesday 13:00 – 18:00
Wednesday 13:00 – 18:00
Thursday 13:00 – 18:00
Friday 13:00 – 18:00
Saturday 13:00 – 18:00
Songs For Sale
Of all the record stores in Rotterdam, Songs For Sale is probably the one I visited the least amount of times. Usually coupled when going for groceries at the Saturday market if it left me enough time. What I remember is that what they had on offer wasn’t that exciting to me, either already owning a copy, not the right pressing or the price was way off. Could just be a matter of a several unlucky moments as the store does stock a nice selection of both new and second hand Vinyl and CD’s across a wide range of genres. Maybe a bit more towards your A to Z artists covering 70’s, 80’s and 90’s popular music, they also offer to lesser extent Reggae, Soul, Funk, World and some other genres. Contrary to my experience, other collectors seem to rate the store quite high (4,5 on average) according to Google-reviews. So, maybe with a bit more luck you are able to find exactly what you are looking for.
Good for: offers about all the popular genres, both new and second hand Vinyl and CD’s, so just like any other record store could hold something you have been chasing for years.
Memorable finds: none come to mind.
Google maps link: click here.
Opening hours:
Tuesday 11:00 – 18:00
Wednesday 11:00 – 18:00
Thursday 11:00 – 18:00
Friday 11:00 – 18:00
Saturday 10:00 – 18:00
JensDo Records
Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to visit this store as much as I would have liked. This was mainly because of the distance to where I used to live compared to some of the other record stores in Rotterdam. I do remember some nice sunny afternoons going through all the bins, chatting with the owner, and playing
a bunch of records in a small corridor which used to house the listening station. JensDo Records offers a wide range of second hand Vinyl and I remember the Soul section having quite some hidden gems in between the more common titles. I let go of an original Black Moses by Isaac Hayes including fold-out poster which later cost me a lot of trouble to track down and purchase. The store is quite spacious with its vintage living room setting and has an open lay-out for you to easily move from bin to bin. Be aware of the friendly owner, she might force you into a conversation or two about music. Located right at the center of the “Zwaanshalskwartier” is also a big advantage as it is one of the nicest shopping districts in Rotterdam with lots of vintage stores, foreign deli’s and boutiques. Don’t expect any big names or chains as all stores are owned by small-time entrepreneurs who call themselves “Rotterdammers”. An exemplary neighbourhood which you cannot do without if you want the full experience of record hunting in Rotterdam.
Good for: a very welcoming record store with a wide range of genres focusing solely on second hand Vinyl. As with all second hand Vinyl, take it for spin to make sure you know what your are buying into but overall the prices are very fair in comparison to the condition.
Memorable finds: I remember one afternoon leaving the store with a smile on my face and a copy of Tiken Jah Fakoly’s Francafrique in my hands. Another find that comes to mind is Ken Boothe’s excellent I’m Just A Man.
Google maps link: click here.
Opening hours:
Wednesday: 12:00 – 17:00
Thursday: 12:00 – 17:00
Friday: 12:00 – 17:00
Saturday: 11:00 – 17:00
SCHIEDAM
Officially not a part of Rotterdam, I decided to include it anyway because you can easily combine the two, but more importantly the record store scene in Schiedam has exploded recently. Outside of the record scene, I don’t know Schiedam at all and I don’t have any tips to visit other places than the record stores themselves. If you happen to know some nice places to visit within the city, please drop a comment so other readers might take advantage of your recommendations. Schiedam’s historical center is something to behold as I‘ve been told and feels a little more cozy than its larger cousin Rotterdam. So, walking alongside the historical shopping streets alone can already deliver a very relaxing afternoon. I visited Schiedam quite recently on a mission to discover the record store scene and had a nice walk through some its charming streets. Very much so, that it instantly persuaded me to plan a return visit and take a bit more time to enjoy Schiedam in its full glory including the historical sites.
Books&Records
With the dew of the early morning still in the air I made it to my first stop. Books&Records is not solely
dedicated to music as the name suggests, it also sells books and comics. Upon entering it feels more like a crossbreed between a curiosity and record store, perhaps changing its inventory to what is in popular demand during its long existence. For now the store is literally chock-full of Vinyl and CD’s covering the most popular genres. Most of the items are second hand, specifically the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s but throughout and especially for certain genres there’s also a decent selection of new(er) releases. After a chat with the owner, who is in business for over 30 years, I got some more information about what sets his store apart from its neighbors. Even though offering a bit of everything, he is particularly proud of having the most extensive offer of (mostly new) Hip-hop and Metal Vinyl. Being a music fanatic for as long as he can remember, he witnessed the coming and going of many genres and styles and has taken a liking to them all with specific mention of New Wave. So, it’s not coincident that he has a nice selection New Wave records waiting for you to flick through.
Good for: taking your time and going through each and every bin regardless of genre and preference which may take you by surprise. Just like that, I pulled out Yma Sumac’s exotic Mambo! in between a box of records you normally wouldn’t expect to come across such an album. The CD’s might not be as easy to browse through in comparison to the Vinyl, but that also means fewer people went through it, leaving you some uncharted territory.
Google maps link: click here.
Opening hours:
Tuesday 10:00 – 18:00
Wednesday 10:00 – 18:00
Thursday 10:00 – 21:00
Friday 10:00 – 18:00
Saturday 10:00 – 18:00
Bier&Vinyl
Next door’s Bier&Vinyl is something of a holy grail for fans of the Blues and other affiliated genres of American music such as Jazz, Rock and Roll, R&B, Soul, and Country. All can be enjoyed at the separate listening area complete with leather chairs and a bar filled with local brewed beers. The store is neatly
stocked and categorized down to the style. The wooden slide out bins were a first for me, this should be in the collective labour agreement for record collectors together with a stool to sit on. Nothing fancy just a wooden stool and a home made slider will be a massive improvement for the knees and back trying desperately to reach the last record. I had a very nice chat with the owner who passionately talked about his love for the Blues, sharing some lesser known artists for me to check out. I made a promise to come back once I have a list of Blues records that I want to add to the collection which I intent to honor. They also offer CD’s which is worth giving some attention even if it’s outnumbered by the large amount of Vinyl. If you want to try your luck you can also visit their discount store. I haven’t had the opportunity to visit this discount store, but the stock that doesn’t sell fast enough at Bier&Vinyl finds its way to this store together with other lower priced items. Occasionally the owner deliberately slips some rare records in between the rest to keep things interesting.
Good for: an all American record store. Very different from any other record store in Rotterdam and it’s surrounding areas as far as I know. Only Hitsound Records who closed down their physical store some years ago came close. If you are looking for Blues, Jazz, Rock and Roll, R&B, Soul, or Country records this is the store for you.
Google maps link: click here.
Opening hours:
Thursday 12:00 – 17:30
Friday 11:00 – 17:30
Saturday 09:00 – 17:00
Time Machine Music
Not even a one-minute walk and you will find yourself standing in front of the relatively small store window of Time Machine Music. Don’t let it fool you as the inside is a real treasure house with bins covering
most popular genres and rarities adorning the walls. As a Reggae fan this is perhaps my favorite record store in Schiedam as the selection of Reggae Vinyl was top notch and this is something that is very hard to come by these days. The owner Mark told me his story of how he came to be a record store owner in The Netherlands as he is originally from the U.K. That also explains his connection to original Jamaican and U.K. pressings that goes further than just Reggae. Overall an superb collection of second hand Vinyl with an abundance of stone cold classics and originals. Aside from selling and buying records, Mark also repairs guitars in the back of the store which might come in handy.
Good for: just about any record collector will find something exciting among the many genres and you will be surprised how many you will records you will pull out to give a closer inspection. Chances are you will find the right pressing of a long time treasured record of yours that you just can’t leave behind. This coupled with the easy going nature of Mark will make you feel at home in no time.
Google maps link: click here.
Opening hours:
Tuesday 10:30 – 18:00
Wednesday 10:30 – 18:00
Thursday 10:30 – 19:00
Saturday 10:30 – 18:00
Meneer van Ulden
Entering the building that also houses Meneer Van Ulden is an experience on its own. The old
warehouse used to hold grain before it was in use to fabricate washing soda for nearly a century, hence the name The Soda Factory. Once you are in the backstreet that holds the entrance you will need some perseverance if you wish to make it inside following the signs that are left behind like little breadcrumbs. Luckily the closer you get the louder the music, so you will be naturally drawn in. Apart from covering most of the major genres, I found a lot of titles that I haven’t seen or heard of before. Could just be the fact that I happen to be unfamiliar with these records or that the store offers something others just don’t. Either way, a record store which is definitely worth visiting even though its location is not very easy to reach or convenient to combine with some of the other record stores who are closer to the city center. Mattia will entertain you with playing some of his favourite new arrivals and just as easily follows up on any request if ever you stumbled on something that has you intrigued.
Good for: finding a stack of records (Vinyl only) you would never imagine to take home with you for a price some would consider a bargain.
Google maps link: click here.
Opening hours:
Saturday 12:00 – 17:00 (see Facebook)
Atlantis Records & Games
Small record store right in the main shopping district of Schiedam run by father and son. Half of the store used to be dedicated to video games and the other half to Vinyl. While visiting Atlantis Records & Games, the owner told me that actually the video games will disappear and the store will be fully dedicated to Vinyl as his son has other ambitions. All in all, a nice little record store with at the time of my visit one wall of bins with mostly 70’s, 80’s and 90’s popular music and genres. The store doesn’t tie itself down to a specific genre and they seem to be really proud that they have a good number of new second hand titles at display every month for as long as they exist. In terms of the quantity, they don’t offer as much titles or genres as some of the other stores in Schiedam. Maybe this will change over time as the store will fully focus on Vinyl.
Good for: a smaller record store with fewer titles than some other record stores in Schiedam but that shouldn’t leave you deterred. The trick with record hunting is to leave no stone unturned and with new Vinyl coming in every month Atlantis Records & Games is no exception.
Google maps link: click here.
Opening hours:
Monday 13:00 – 17:30
Tuesday 11:00 – 17:30
Wednesday 11:00 – 17:30
Thursday 11:00 – 17:30
Friday 11:00 – 17:30
Saturday 11:00 – 17:00
Others
There are some record stores in Rotterdam and its surrounding area that opened up very recently and I haven’t had the pleasure to visit yet. For the sake of giving you the most complete overview, I listed the ones that I’m aware of below. Maybe in due time I will add them once I had the chance to visit and write a more elaborate review. I’ll try to keep this article up to date as much as I can (no promises).
Offbeat Records
Zwaanshals 283A, 3035 KH Rotterdam
Specialized in second hand Vinyl
Rotibabi
Jacob Loisstraat 23, 3033 RB Rotterdam
Currently under construction, reopening in Rotterdam soon according to its IG page.
Nooit Gewoon
Hoogstraat 97, 3111 HC Schiedam
Focusing on new releases/reissues
That’s all I have for now concerning the record stores in Rotterdam and as added bonus Schiedam. Before closing off, there’s just one thing. Since the whole article is just one man’s experience, I would like to invite every reader to drop a comment if they have something interesting to share about the record stores in Rotterdam or Schiedam that might help fellow record collectors who are planning for a visit. Just dropping a casual hello is also much appreciated!
Good luck hunting!
Update 15-03-2024
Good news. Best Kept Records has reopened its store. They have changed location from the heart of Rotterdam to the district of Het Lage Land (East Rotterdam) and are open from Friday to Sunday. I haven’t had the opportunity to visit the new store yet, but from what I remember they had some amazing titles in superb condition for fair prices. I especially remember Hugh Mundell’s Africa Must Be Free by 1983 and Time and Place in pristine condition. You can check out the Best Kept Records discogs page to get an impression on what they stock.
Best Kept Records
Folkert Elsingastraat 3, 3067 NW Rotterdam
Opening hours:
Friday 11:00 – 17:00
Saturday 11:00 – 17:00
Sunday 11:00 – 17:00