Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Mars Record Shop

    5.0 (20 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 6:00 PM

    Mars Record Shop Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Mars Record Shop

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Some of the records I picked up today
    Michael C.

    I was at my barber Aili's Homme, lamenting about the closure downstairs of this odd vintage clothing and record shop, when she pointed out that directly below her was a new record shop. My goal had been to pick up some records to listen to on this rainy and gray sunday, so why wouldn't I stop in. Immediately I was greeted by the owner Steve, who gave me a bit of a rundown: he opened in November, is selling his own records but also has two sellers inside his shop; he constantly is getting new supplies; he really likes the location in that near courtyard off Piedmont. He asked me if there was anything in particular I was looking for, and I mentioned Allman Brothers. While he started to hunt around, he pointed out Boz Scaggs self titled album, which featured Duane Allman on dobro and slide guitar (and a naked photo of him on the interior). I like Boz Scaggs, love Duane Allman, was an instant buy. I also learned it was an underselling album at the time, but has since been well received. He soon found me "The Road Goes on Forever," the first Allman Brothers compilation album. While I was hoping for "Brothers and Sisters," which I unfortunately had bought for an ex, I am more than willing to settle for any album that's an expanded version of "A Decade of Hits 1969-1979." I mentioned my first record I owned was Steely Dan's Aja (one of my favorite albums of all time) and he immediately pulls out The Royal Scam. Early in the week I had been talking with a close friend about Steely Dan and that was his favorite album. While flipping through his recent arrivals I came across another favorite album of mine, Phil Collins' "No Jacket Required." I'm a sucker for Sususudio, and got to see Phil Collins live last year. "One More Night," "Don't Lose My Number," "Take Me Home" just so many hits. Lastly, I grabbed another 70s classic - The Best of the Doobies. Granted compilation albums are a bit cheating, but just so many hits! I want to see this spot thrive. Oakland does have a few record stores, oddly enough all in this area, but with all of us still trapped at home due to Covid, records are a great way to listen to music at home. Steve is very knowledgeable, friendly, and has a solid selection for only being open a few months. Keep checking by and expanding your collection.

    Thank you, Mars Records!
    Psy Y.

    Talk about a hidden gem. This is my new fave spot for vinyls. Steve is cool, welcoming, and knows his stuff. I never leave empty handed.

    Sign outside

    See all

    Photo of Joe I.
    0
    11
    3

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of GARY H.
    0
    37
    26

    8 months ago

    Steve bought my record collection. He was professional, friendly and gave me a fair price.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of L. P.
    0
    26
    0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 11
    Thanks 0
    Love this 11
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Psy Y.
    31
    37
    30

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Excellent selection and service owned and run by a local musician who knows records. You can't go wrong with this place.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Gretchen Z.
    19
    107
    170

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of E E.
    110
    37
    0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Mars Record Shop

    Review Highlights - Mars Record Shop

    The store is brand new, located at a charming building and Steve, the owner is an attentive and knowledgeable guy.

    Mentioned in 12 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Vinyl Records 2,356 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Amoeba Music - The sun is shining on Amoeba Berkeley and Telegraph Avenue!

    Amoeba Music

    4.0(378 reviews)
    2.7 miTelegraph Ave
    $$

    We visited Amoeba Music yesterday, and the staff there were so welcoming to our doggie Meatball…read more They even gave him some treats. So nice! :) I bookmarked this spot to visit since it was my boyfriend's 1st visit in Berkeley, and I thought this was a cool store to check out. We did have to check in his backpack at the entrance of the store, which is no issue. They have lots of selection of music, and my bf found a vinyl that he has been looking for a long time - The Big Lebowski one. He was so happy! This is definitely a good spot to check out if you're into music and especially if you want to get vinyls and cds. They also have some cool lunch boxes and posters as well plus other interesting items. Parking in Berkeley can be tough though. We drive around for about 18 minutes before we finally found a spot to park.

    Showed up in our 2nd stop around the Berkeley downtown/campus area to browse for music. Got some…read morenew trendy vinyl (36) not the best price but trends do drive prices so ehhh it is what it is. Vintage things can be quite cheap depending on format and popularity. Picked up Damian Marley's stony hill (7) for a cd that's a good price, will be more rare through the years. Also picked up Nelson Ned for the same price but in vinyl. Now ask people about famous Brazilian singers in Spanish he's top of that list, good price for refined ears. 5/5 great store

    Photos
    Amoeba Music - The Amoeba Berkeley neon will guide your way.

    The Amoeba Berkeley neon will guide your way.

    Amoeba Music
    Amoeba Music

    See all

    Groove Yard - Groove Records!

    Groove Yard

    4.5(55 reviews)
    1.2 miRockridge, North Oakland
    $$

    I've come here now two times after passing by for years but being too busy to stop in. It is…read morecrammed inside. Watch your step, and start browsing. When I came in a few weeks ago I was the only one inside and was looking for Queen - Hot Space. Who I assume to be the shop owner knew he didn't have it, but showed me the Queen section and I walked out with The Game. There was also a flyer at the checkout area advertising a record sale going on at USF, so props for advertising other record finding events. Everything isn't here. It's a local vinyl shop that has so much to look through, and if you're into that then this is the record shop for you. It gives me the thrill of thrifting back in 2007-2016, but for records. I walked out with international vinyls showcasing music from Brazil and Nicaragua last weekend, but finding the Thriller album was icing on the cake. I wasn't really looking for it, but there is a Jackson 5 section showcasing many of the Jackson 5 albums and their individual projects. Service - I had great service the first time I went because no one else was there. The second time I went, the service was still good but being that it was busy, he pointed me to the exact locations I could find what I was looking for if it was there. I feel like he really knows his shop, and that in itself is valuable. There are many, many vinyls. They're organized as well.

    Groove Yard is a gem. Rick is one of those rare shop owners who makes you feel immediately welcome,…read moreand he truly knows his collection. There's always an amazing variety of vinyl to dig through, and the prices are great. Highly recommend this local record store.

    Photos
    Groove Yard - Hell yeah

    Hell yeah

    Groove Yard
    Groove Yard - Classic Alice & John Coltrane records!

    See all

    Classic Alice & John Coltrane records!

    Stranded Records - Oakland - One of the main walls of highlighted records

    Stranded Records - Oakland

    4.0(51 reviews)
    1.0 miNorth Oakland, Rockridge
    $$

    Have religiously visited Stranded Records location in Rockridge and prior location just off…read morePiedmont Avenue over the years. I also frequent the shop in the SF Mission District and have visited the NYC Lower East Side location. What makes Stranded unique is that it feels like a well curated shop of eclectic music. They carry new and used genres - Jazz, Rock, R&B, Hip Hop, Electronic, African, Reggae, Soundtracks, etc.. It's always a pleasure to stop bye because you never know what you will find. So be prepared to spend some time there if you are a true digger. The guys in the shop are also pretty friendly and welcoming. It also helps that the shop is located on a nice stretch of College Avenue in Oakland that has a lot to offer and close to Rockridge BART Station - shopping (groceries, hardware, bookstore, bakery, coffee/tea, home decor, etc.) restaurants and bars at different price points. They also have a small couch that can come in handy if your friend or partner just wants to hang out while you are browsing. Prices can vary and are comparable to other record shops. Anyone that enjoys vinyl would be well advised to check out this shop !

    They stayed open late for me. Got 4 records will come back for a 5th and 6th..and 7th..and.. Staff…read morewas so nice. My dog Mia and I enjoyed our visit. Thanks!

    Photos
    Stranded Records - Oakland - Love this upstairs hideaway!

    Love this upstairs hideaway!

    Stranded Records - Oakland - Calvin Johnson at Stranded

    Calvin Johnson at Stranded

    Stranded Records - Oakland

    See all

    Open Mind Music

    Open Mind Music

    4.5(59 reviews)
    1.1 miRockridge, North Oakland
    $$

    Well, of course I recommend them. I've gone twice and each time the owners were lovely…read more I came in looking for Sade's Love Deluxe album. Truthfully, I do think I'm just going to order it online because it has been so hard to just find it in stock in store. I've held off because I just want to buy it in store, and no not at an Urban Outfitters or some other large chain of stores. I enjoy the feeling of finding something and feeling like I scored, so, let's keep shopping in person alive as much as we can... please?? currently, I'm still holding off on this album and waiting for the day. Anyway, I ended up buying Diamond Life and People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm. They didn't have a collection of Maxwell at that moment if I remember correctly, but that got me to looking through The Beatles section and each member's solo albums. Sad to say, I couldn't find a record with the single Silly Love Songs by Paul McCartney, though, I did go in blindly looking for it. So, I asked the owners about it while buying my records. They had it in the back and, not sure of the quality they tossed it in for free. It was very nice. They have a scratch free record guarantee, which I applaud, but the complimentary add in was very much appreciated. I've come again and brought a friend and we've both bought a couple to a few records. The last time I went there was an Anderson Paak collection. I wish they had Malibu, but they did have Ventura. I strongly contemplated, but ended up getting Childish Gambino's "Because the Internet." Prices - they're not even bad. Trust me. They have tapes and cds too. I like to dig, and this store satisfies that. Conveniently located near Rockridge BART, there's a second hand thrift store in the area, plenty of eateries, Trader Joe's a couple blocks up, and other mini shops along the way. It's worth stopping in and checking out especially if planning a day in this area.

    I was disappointed with my visit. The pricing felt significantly inflated and didn't align with the…read morequality provided. Beyond the cost, the overall experience was underwhelming, so I wouldn't recommend stopping by.

    Photos
    Open Mind Music
    Open Mind Music
    Open Mind Music

    See all

    Mars Record Shop - vinyl_records - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...