The Vinyl Hits are Still Spinning on Rochester’s Record Row

A section of vinyl records at Hi Fi Lounge on Monroe Avenue. It is one of three record stores within walking distance from each other, being referred to as Record Row.

In April 2025, City Magazine released an interview on their social media platforms featuring a brief story about three record stores that have created an intricate network of music shops spanning from Upper Monroe near Highland Avenue to the Twelve Corners neighborhood on Monroe and Winton Road. If you’re a music lover, City Magazine’s very own Patrick Hosken, who is, from my perspective, an absolute music junkie and savant, and a brilliant writer who teases out some meaningful conversations regarding the interconnectedness that the local shop owners have created on Record Row.

Let’s dive deeper into this. Record Row is the site of three remarkable record shops: Bop Shop Records, Needle Drop Records, and the Hi Fi Lounge. Each shop is unique; they have their own flair, elevate different genres of music, and contain nuanced specializations that set their stores apart. All shops sell vinyls, CDs, and other wonderful collections, but no two shops are alike.

The entrance of Bop Shop Records in Upper Monroe on Monroe Avenue features posters for different musical performances.

The Soul/Funk/R&B record section at Bop Shop Records features many great vinyls to choose from. The shop features local and touring artists regularly, so there are ongoing musical performances in the shop throughout the month.

Bop Shop Records is the first shop you will find on Upper Monroe if you’re traveling in from Downtown Rochester. It is the largest record store of the three, and has a stellar jazz, soul, funk, and R&B vinyl collection. You can find all kinds of musical vibes at Bop Shop and some outstanding displays that highlight some golden era Beatles records and memorabilia.

The owner is one of the friendliest people you will meet, and is eager and ready to lend a hand in finding that special album you’re looking for, and is truly passionate about music. Live music is a big part of their experience, and you can find an ongoing schedule with different performances throughout the fall months. The shop has a B.Y.O.B. (bring your own beer) policy for live shows, which is pretty kickass.

The back wall of Needle Drop Records features a psychedelic mural that is inspired by the hit animated show, The Simpsons.

Needle Drop Records, located on Monroe Avenue on Rochester’s Record Row, features a tremendous punk rock/hardcore section and some unique European EDM vinyls.

Needle Drop Records is the edgier shop of the three. The shop opened in 2011, and before making its move to Monroe Avenue, was located in an intimate store on Gregory Street in the South Wedge for several years. The style of the space and music collection is eclectic, and you can find some interesting punk rock, indie, alt-rock, emo, hardcore, unique European EDM hits, and noise.

Needle Drop also sustains a sound collection of rock and roll, folk, Americana, and jazz records, but come in on a good day, and the store is filled with some creative experimental tunes blasting. It’s a great shop, with an owner who is extremely knowledgeable about the music industry, a true audiophile.

Hi Fi Lounge is a smaller record shop, but has a well-curated set of vinyls. The shop also houses a unique display of turntables.

Hi-Fi Lounge on Monroe Avenue features a great selection of new and gently used turntables and record players, while also specializing in repair work.

Hi Fi Lounge is the final record shop located on Record Row and closest to the Twelve Corners if you’re headed eastbound. Hi Fi Lounge’s space has its own character. As a record shop, the collection is smaller, yet more refined. You can find some unique albums that aren’t always easy to come by. As a matter of fact, I am still kicking myself for regrettably not purchasing a Lou Reed record that was in great condition. I’ll be back, Lou!

What Hi Fi Lounge truly specializes in is high-quality turntables, sound systems, and repairs. Hang around long enough, and you’ll hear the phone buzzing with incoming questions about specific items in stock. The Hi Fi Lounge is small enough that they boast themselves as the “world’s smallest music and audio store” on their website. What the shop lacks in size, it compensates for in uniqueness and musical expertise.

To close, Record Row is a magical part of the Rochester experience. It is a destination, a niche collectors scene, and a fantastic part of town to spend some hours of your day browsing through some quality and well-curated vinyl hits.