Dave's Record Shop - Berkeley, California

Dave's Record Shop: A Hidden Gem in Berkeley's Music Scene

Nestled in the heart of Berkeley, California, Dave's Record Shop stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of vinyl records. Located at 1404 San Pablo Ave, this quaint store is a treasure trove for music enthusiasts seeking a tangible connection to their favorite tunes.

Main Services

• New and Used Vinyl Records: Dave's Record Shop offers an extensive collection of new and used vinyl records, catering to a wide range of musical tastes. From classic rock to jazz, country to punk, the store's inventory is a reflection of Berkeley's diverse music scene.
• Record Store Day exclusives: The shop actively participates in Record Store Day, offering exclusive releases and limited edition pressings to its customers. This annual event celebrates the culture of independent record stores and the unique experiences they provide.
• On-Site Services: Dave's Record Shop provides on-site services, including record cleaning and professional grading for used records. They also offer in-store listening stations, allowing customers to preview their purchases before adding them to their collection.
• Delivery and Same-Day Delivery: For those who prefer to shop from home, the store offers delivery and same-day delivery options. This service is particularly convenient for customers with mobility challenges or those living in nearby neighborhoods like South Berkeley or North Oakland.

Location and Access

Dave's Record Shop is situated in the bustling South Berkeley neighborhood, close to the intersection of San Pablo Avenue and Ashby Avenue. The store is easily accessible by public transportation, with the Ashby BART station and several AC Transit bus stops nearby. Street parking is available, although spots can fill up quickly, especially on weekends.

The store's proximity to neighboring businesses, such as the renownedAshby Stage theater and the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, makes it an ideal destination for a day of culture and entertainment. Food lovers will appreciate the nearby dining options, including the popular Brazilian restaurant, Comal, and the authentic Mexican eatery, La Isla.

Featured Characteristics

• Curated Selection: Despite its modest size, Dave's Record Shop boasts an impressive selection of vinyl records. The store's knowledgeable staff carefully curates the inventory, ensuring a diverse and high-quality collection that caters to both casual listeners and dedicated collectors.
• Comfortable Atmosphere: The store's cozy and inviting interior creates a welcoming atmosphere for customers to browse and engage with the music. The well-organized shelves and thoughtfully arranged displays make it easy to find specific albums or discover new favorites.
• Community Hub: As a small, independent business, Dave's Record Shop plays an essential role in the local community. The store hosts in-store events, such as record listening parties and artist performances, fostering a sense of camaraderie among its customers.

Practical Information

• Address: 1404 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702, United States
• Phone: 7073192578
• Website: https://davesrecordshop.com/
• Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM; Sunday-Monday, Closed
• Payment Methods: Cash, Credit Cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover)
• Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible entrance, making it easy for customers of all abilities to enjoy the store's offerings.

Positive Aspects from Reviews

Dave's Record Shop has earned a reputation for excellence, with an average rating of 4.8/5 on Google My Business, based on 78 reviews. Customers consistently praise the store's selection, prices, and atmosphere:

• Selection: "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, they have it."
• Prices: "Good selection and reasonable prices. Found a couple of gems from my want list. Thanks!"
• Atmosphere: "The store is well-organized and inviting, making it a pleasure to browse and discover new music."

These glowing reviews highlight the store's commitment to providing a memorable and enjoyable experience for its customers, solidifying Dave's Record Shop as a beloved institution in Berkeley's rich musical landscape.

👍 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.