Follow us on
A Guide to Finding the Coolest Vinyl Record Stores in Metro Manila
These record stores are the Philippines’ true oldies but goodies of music.
By: Patricia Marie Prado | March 02, 2018
In a world where practically everything is digital, more and more people crave for the days when things are done the old school way. One of the evidence that many people still long for the days of old is the popularity of vinyl records. Despite the rise of music streaming websites and mobile music applications, some people seem to still love how turntables scratch against a well-worn vinyl record.
Although vinyl records are hard to find, there are still stores in Manila dedicated to these gems. Read on and plan to hunt your favorite records!
1. Satchmi
Satchmi brings new life to vinyl.
Image: Satchmi Official Facebook Page
Satchmi has only been in business for a couple of years but they are one of the shops in Manila that brought people’s interest back in vinyl records. Enter any of their shop and you’ll be welcomed by beautifully-curated racks of vinyl records that range from classic blues to modern rock. They also have listening rooms if you want to sample any of their records before you make a purchase.
Aside from vinyl records, Satchmi also sells turntables, one of which is Motorino. Motorino is a portable turntable that you can charge and use for eight hours straight. They also have a café where you can order caffeinated drinks while browsing through their collection.
How to get there:
SM Megamall is accessible via EDSA. Ride a bus that will go through EDSA and ask to be dropped off at SM Megamall or ride the MRT Line 3 and alight at Ortigas Station and walk towards SM Megamall.
UP Town Center can be accessed via jeepney. From Tandang Sora, you can ride a jeep going to UP Town Center and asked to be dropped off at the mall. From EDSA, you can also ride the LRT line 2, alight at Katipunan Station, and ride a jeepney bound for the University of the Philippines, Diliman and then get off at UP Town Center.
2. Treskul Records & Cafe
Address: 641 Boni Ave Cifra BLDG, Mandaluyong
Seat wherever you like and browse through Treskul’s collection.
Images: Left, Eunice Honrado; Right, Treskul Records & Cafe Official Facebook Page
Another café-slash-music store, Treskul Records & Cafe gives you that friendly neighborhood vibe when you enter their store. If you’re not into themed shops or hipster cafés, Treskul is as down to earth as it can be with simple seats lying around the area and stacks upon stacks of vinyl records that range from OPM to hip-hop.
Aside from vinyl records, visiting Treskul is a total trip down memory lane as they also have CD’s and cassette tapes. They also have turntables if you don’t have one yet!
How to get there:
Cifra Bldg. is accessible via EDSA. Ride a bus that will go through EDSA and ask to be dropped off at Boni and walk towards the building. You can also reach the establishment via MRT Line 3 and alight at Boni Station. From Boni Station, walk towards Cifra Bldg.
3. Bebop Records
Address: First Basement, Makati Cinema Square, Makati
Ask Bebop’s owner what record you’re looking for and he’ll find it for you!
Images: Left, @islandcode; Right, Bebop Records official FB page
For audiophiles in Makati, Bebop Records has been the go-to shops of vinyl record collectors since 1999. The small record store is located at the first basement of Makati Cinema Square, but despite its obscure location, vinyl lovers still hunt for Bebop to browse its library.
Its owner, Bob de Leon, is also one of the most known collectors in the industry so you know you’re getting your items from the right person. Just ready your hands and your eyes as their collection is stacked from floor to ceiling and you need to peek at each one of the records to make sure you’re not skipping on some gems!
How to get there:
From EDSA you can ride a bus or the MRT Line 3 and alight at Magallanes Station. From Magallanes, walks towards SM Savemore and look for the jeepney with the ‘PRC’ sign board. Ride it and ask to be dropped off at Makati Cinema Square.
4. The Grey Market
Branches:
Bellitudo Lifestyle Strip, 79 Katipunan Ave. White Plains, Quezon City
UG38 Alfaro Place, 146 LP Leviste St. Salcedo Village, Makati
Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan
Aside from vinyl records, The Grey Market also provides care kits.
Image: The Grey Market official FB page
For vinyl collectors who are looking for a one-stop shop to take care of their treasures, The Grey Market might be able to help you out. Aside from their extensive collection of vinyl records, they are also known for providing accessories and care kits to keep your records and turntables in top shape.
If you’re planning to up your collecting game, The Grey Market also has a collection of boxed sets of vinyl records that are not easily found in other stores. You can also find CDs and even posters of your favorite artists in their shops.
How to go there:
The best way to reach Bellitudo Lifestyle Strip is via taxi, Grab, or Uber as the street is not easily accessible by jeepneys. Just ask to be dropped off at Bellitudo Lifestyle Strip and walk towards The Grey Market.
To reach UG38 Alfaro Place, from EDSA ride a bus or MRT Line 3 and alight at Ayala Station. From Ayala Station, ride a jeepney with an “Ayala-Washington” route and ask to be dropped off at PBCom Tower. From there, walk towards Rufino St. and turn right once you reach LP Leviste Street. Walk until you reach UG38 Alfaro Place.
To reach Greenhills Shopping Center, from EDSA ride a bus or MRT Line 3 and alight at Santolan Station. From Santolan Station, walk towards Annapolis Street and ride a jeepney going to Greenhills Shopping Center.
5. This Is Pop
Address: Legaspi Towers 100, 148 Legaspi Street, Legaspi Village, Makati
If you’re into indie music, This is Pop might be able to help you.
Image: This Is Pop Official Facebook Page
This Is Pop might suggest that they are into selling popular mainstream music, but their collection is actually the opposite. This Is Pop aims to redefine the term “pop” and houses a collection that ranges from new wave to indie, so there’s no chance you’ll find the latest Ed Sheeran or Taylor Swift record here.
The owner, Toti Dalmacion, is also the man behind Terno Recordings, the label behind big names such as Up Dharma Down, Radioactive Sago Project, and Maude to name a few. And knowing he’s behind such eclectic bands says a lot about his taste in music and the collection This is Pop holds.
How to get there:
From EDSA, ride a bus or MRT Line 3 and alight at Ayala Station. From Ayala Station, ride jeepneys with “Ayala-Washington” routes and ask to be dropped off at PBCom Tower. From there, walk towards Legaspi Street until you see Legaspi Tower.
6. Yesteryears Music Gallery and Vinyl Store
Address: 87 Maginhawa cor. Magiting Streets, UP Village, Quezon City
Take a peek at Yesteryears Music Gallery and Vinyl Store and see what 20,000 vinyl records look like.
Image: Jecter Loyola
Maginhawa Street may be famous for its abundance of restaurants, but it is also home to Yesteryears Music Gallery and Vinyl Store. Yesteryear doesn’t have a flashy facade, but its collection of over 20,000 records definitely make up for it. Enter its doors and you’ll be welcomed by a library of vinyl records, with some as old as a hundred years.
Its owner, Nestor Vera-Cruz, loves music and started his collection in 1998. Aside from his vinyl collection, you’ll also see hundreds of cassette tapes and various artworks from portraits to sculptures.
How to get there: From EDSA ride buses going to SM Fairview and ask to be dropped off at PHILCOA. From PHILCOA ride a tricycle going to Maginhawa Street. Ask to be dropped off at Yesteryears Music Gallery and Vinyl Store.
7. Vinyl Dump Thrift Store
Address: Cubao Expo, Gen. Romulo Avenue, Cubao, Quezon City
Vinyl DUMP Thrift Store is home to cheap bargains and prized possessions.
Image: Vinyl DUMP Thrift Store official FB page
For many creatives, Cubao Expo has been their stomping ground for years. Here you’ll find shops and even cafés that will feed your creative soul and one of them is Vinyl DUMP Thrift Store. The shop was said to originate during the Kagatan Vinyl Swap Meet where fellow vinyl collectors trade their treasures once every quarter.
Today, Vinyl DUMP Thrift Store is not just open every quarter but every day. If you’re just starting out as a vinyl listener, you can get bargains here as cheap as PhP350. Their vinyl collection ranges from OPM golds like Mike Hanopol and Hagibis to disco classics like Footloose.
How to get there: From EDSA, ride a bus or MRT Line 3 and alight at Cubao Station. Walk towards Cubao Expo.
Listening to vinyl records is not just a passing fad anymore and the increasing popularity of these stores just proves that it’s here to stay. Let us know in the comments section which of these stores you will soon visit.
About Patricia Marie Prado
Patricia came from the field of business and accounting but is now pursuing her dreams of being a writer. She is a self-confessed introvert and is passionate about reading, travelling, writing, movies, coffee and God. When she's not writing, she loves discovering new coffee shops/cafe and doing TV-series marathons.
Learn more stories on:
Location Tags:
Disclaimer: All articles in the Consumers Magazine of Yoorekka are
for general information and entertainment purposes only. Although
careful research has been made in writing them, Yoorekka does not
make any warranty about the completeness and accuracy of all
information presented in our articles. Our content is not intended
to be used in place of legal, medical, or any professional advice.
ALSO READ
CATEGORIES
VIDEO MARKET PLACE
FOLLOW US ON
MORE STORIES AROUND THE PHILIPPINES
