Dave's Record Shop - Berkeley, California

Introduction

Nestled in the heart of Berkeley, California, Dave's Record Shop is a hidden gem that has been serving vinyl enthusiasts and music lovers since 1988. Tucked away at 1404 San Pablo Ave, this independent record store is a testament to the enduring appeal of vinyl records and the timeless art of crate digging.

Main Services

• Vinyl Records: Dave's Record Shop specializes in new and used vinyl records, catering to a wide range of musical tastes. From classic rock and jazz to country, punk, and electronic, their extensive collection ensures there's something for everyone.
• Music Merchandise: In addition to records, the store offers music-related merchandise, such as CDs, cassettes, turntables, and other musical accessories.
• Buying and Selling Records: Dave's Record Shop buys and sells used vinyl, providing customers with an opportunity to trade in their old records for store credit or cash. This not only helps to keep the store's inventory diverse but also allows customers to discover new music within their budget.

Location and Access

Dave's Record Shop is conveniently located in the Southside neighborhood of Berkeley, just a few blocks south of the historic UC Berkeley campus. The store is easily accessible by public transportation, with several AC Transit bus lines stopping nearby. Additionally, bicycle racks are available for those who prefer to cycle to the store.

For those driving, metered street parking is available on San Pablo Ave and surrounding streets. The store is also near the Ashby BART station, making it easily accessible from neighboring cities.

Featured Characteristics

• Atmosphere: Stepping into Dave's Record Shop is like stepping back in time. The store's cozy and cluttered layout, filled with floor-to-ceiling shelves of vinyl records, creates an inviting and nostalgic atmosphere that harkens back to the golden age of record stores.
• Knowledgeable Staff: The store's staff are passionate music enthusiasts who are always eager to help customers find exactly what they're looking for. Their expertise and wealth of musical knowledge make browsing the store's extensive collection a pleasure.
• Community Hub: Dave's Record Shop is more than just a record store; it's a community hub for music lovers. The store regularly hosts in-store events, such as record listening parties and live performances, fostering a sense of camaraderie among its patrons.

Practical Information

• Address: 1404 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702, United States
• Phone: 7073192578
• Website: davesrecordshop.com
• Hours of Operation: Tuesday-Saturday, 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM; Sunday, 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM; Closed on Mondays
• Payment Methods: Cash, Credit Cards, Store Credit
• Accessibility: Dave's Record Shop is wheelchair-accessible, with a ramp leading to the entrance. Restrooms are not wheelchair-accessible.

Customer Reviews

With an average rating of 4.8/5 on Google My Business, Dave's Record Shop has clearly made a positive impression on its customers. Here are some key positive aspects mentioned in the reviews:

• Selection: Customers consistently praise the store's extensive and varied selection of records, with one reviewer noting the "good job of packing the space with records" and another finding "a couple of gems from [their] want list."
• Pricing: Several customers comment on the reasonable prices, with one reviewer describing them as "very fair" and another mentioning they found "great deals."
• Staff Knowledge: Many customers highlight the helpful and knowledgeable staff, with one reviewer stating, "The staff is always friendly and helpful," and another mentioning they received "great recommendations" from the employees.
• Atmosphere: The store's cozy and nostalgic atmosphere is another common theme in the reviews, with customers describing it as "charming," "inviting," and "like stepping back in time."

👍 Reviews of Dave's Record Shop

Sage H.

5/5

This is a great little used record store. For the limited space that they occupy,they have done a good job of packing the space with records. Whether you like rock or jazz, country or folk, the blues or swing it's here. And they also have other merchandise related to music and it's various genres. And they carry all of the different types of records. So why not come on down and check out the shop and you can always talk music with the owner.

Doug S.

5/5

Good selection and reasonable prices. Found a couple of gems from my want list. Thanks!

Kirk P.

5/5

Potentially the East Bay's finest record shop, with certainly the most interesting character staffing it. Prices are almost always very reasonable. Dave seems much more concerned with actually getting music into people's homes, so the selection is often inexpensive and rotates regularly. Ask him for a recommendation!

Jack M.

5/5

Easily the fairest prices in the area, aligns perfectly with the condition of each record. Great selection and curation across a lot of genres

Edit 9/6:
Prices and selection are as good as ever—if you want to support a local record shop, make it Dave's!

stuart L.

5/5

Love Dave's Record Shop. At first I was intimidated by Dave, but realized he's just a no-BS, vinyl lover. The new (not so new anymore!) location is fantastic, clean, well lit. And to echo someone else here, the jazz selection is great. Always fun to stop by and walk out with more records than I planned to buy! My local record shop and I recommend it highly.

Pink F.

5/5

I went to 4 non-chain record stores when visiting the East Bay and this was by far my favorite. In fact of all the indy record stores I've visited in the last 3 years, this is my favorite.

Well organized, easy to browse bins. Collectables and dollar bin affordables.

I picked up some great lounge records in excellent condition.

Great sound system in the store and excellent music selection by the owner. When I got there I saw that he was cleaning records, a welcome site!

Put this shop on your must visit lis.

Martín P.

5/5

Love this shop! Great selection of a focus on jazz, rock, soul, experimental (and bits of everything else) music reasonable prices, good bargains and a listening station. Good rotation of stock.

Nick T.

5/5

This is and probably will always be my favourite record shop in the Bay Area. You can just tell that Dave (I presume) is running this store for all the right reasons. It shows and it make a difference. This guy is getting his small piece of well-deserved glory. I hope more people come and enjoy this shop. The prices are actually fair. Not just "let me charge whatever I can get some stupid hipster to pay". There are some cool and rare finds.