Running a listening bar means spending a lot of time in record stores. Our collection of more than 5,000 jazz LPs didn’t build itself — it was sourced one record at a time, from shops and dealers across New York, Tokyo, London, and everywhere in between. Along the way, we’ve found the stores we trust most: the ones with real depth in their bins, fair prices, and owners who know their stock cold.

Here are the New York City record stores we love most — the places we send friends, visit regularly, and consider part of the same ecosystem we’re building at Kissa Kissa.

Jazz Record Center

If we had to pick one record store in New York, this is it. The Jazz Record Center has been the definitive destination for jazz vinyl in the city since 1983 — over forty years in a single room on West 26th Street, stacked floor to ceiling with LPs, 78s, CDs, DVDs, books, and ephemera. Owner Fred Cohen knows more about jazz recordings than most musicologists, and his stock reflects it: rare pressings, deep catalog, and a level of specialization that simply doesn’t exist anywhere else.

For Kissa Kissa, the Jazz Record Center has been an invaluable source for hard-to-find titles — the kind of records that make a listening session special. Our resident guest selector and audiophile can sometimes be found working behind the counter there, which tells you everything you need to know about the caliber of the place.

236 West 26th St, Suite 804, Manhattan · jazzrecordcenter.com · @jazz_record_center

Inside the Jazz Record Center

Photos courtesy of Manhattan Sideways.

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Poise

Poise is a neighborhood record shop on Malcolm X Boulevard in Bed-Stuy that feels like an extension of the community around it. The selection leans into jazz, soul, hip-hop, and R&B — genres that reflect the neighborhood’s musical DNA. It’s a small space, but thoughtfully stocked, with new arrivals rotating regularly and a keen eye for quality over quantity.

What makes Poise stand out is the curatorial sensibility. Every record in the bin feels intentional. It’s the kind of shop where you trust the selection because someone with taste put it there. A great stop before or after a night at Kissa Kissa — we’re neighbors, after all — don’t be surprised if you find owner Tylan curating a jazz set on our turntables!

271 Malcolm X Blvd, Bed-Stuy · @poise.bk

360 Record Shop

360 Record Shop sits on Van Brunt Street in Red Hook — a bit off the beaten path, which is part of the charm. The store stocks a broad range of vinyl across genres, from jazz and soul to rock, punk, and electronic, with a solid used section alongside new releases. It’s the kind of place that feels like a destination worth the trip, not just a stop along the way.

Red Hook itself is worth exploring — and pairing a visit to 360 with a walk along the waterfront or a stop at one of the neighborhood’s restaurants makes for a solid afternoon. The staff is knowledgeable and happy to talk records, which goes a long way.

360 Van Brunt St, Red Hook · 360recordshop.com · @360recordshop