I like music from really old guys like JS Bach, Brahms, Ludwig Van B, and the Rolling Stones…read more Nowadays CDs are so cheap, but the range is not so great. Until you get to Fish Fine Music. It has the most fantastic range of classical music and the most helpful people. An added advantage is that its in the QVB - an Icon. and no, I have no idea why its called Fish Fine Music.

From the owner: We are practically the last store in Australia that specialises in CDs, DVDs and vinyl of classical…read moremusic, opera, ballet and jazz. We order from all over the world and carry in excess of 50,000 titles all day, every day.

Being a bit of a collector, I used to buy many CDs from Red Eye, but I used to hate myself every…read moretime as I knew that everything I bought was overpriced, now a decade later, I buy everything for its true value on the internet, so I just call into Red Eye occasionally to look at the new releases so I can see what is out there. Red Eye's range is nothing like it once was and I honestly don't know how a shop like this stays in business anymore as all the current CDs can be found cheaper in other shops and the collectables can be found cheaper on the internet. Oh well maybe there are a few people without a phone connection and they have no other option.

A record store just like you used to love…read more It's racks and racks of CDs and vinyl, with posters all over the walls, and staff who know all the bits of music trivia you don't (but with none of the attitude). Especially good, unsurprisingly, with Australian music. I was able to pick up a couple of albums I couldn't find elsewhere here. And they were happy to search their database for the one I couldn't (turns out it doesn't exist, so fair enough). They've got a mailing list that comprehensively details every new release they add each week. Real music lives here.

I was babysitting my godson one Tuesday evening and had just fixed him a snack when he informed me…read morethat he wasn't going to eat his chicken risotto because he wasn't hungry. I pleaded. Begged. Even tried to bribe him with lollies. He simply wasn't interested in his dinner. But he WAS interested in a trailer that popped up on the telly for Rio. A short trip later to the local video rental store, and of course the kid was now hungry: "Can I have popcorn?" "Can I have M&M's?" "Look! They have magnums!" And of course, I gave in. Then, it was time to find the movie. I'm a regular here because the late fees won't make you bankrupt and the service is more personalized than the standard big players like Blockbuster. It's quite a small store which means less scanning of shelves, trying to find a flick everyone will agree on. Rio? Check. $1.95 new releases on Tuesdays? Score! There was even room for the risotto in the end. One happy 6-year-old boy and a relieved babysitter. Thanks Charlie.

A good friend of mine who's a primary school teacher often tells me of her never-ending battle with…read moremobile phones in the classroom. Kids, some as young as eight, have the latest Android or I Phone. When I was eight, I got a colour beaded necklace, a book, and a hug. I don't mean to sound like a fuddy duddy (and yes, I have a smart phone, and yes, I like it a little too much), but in our digital internet era, it's refreshing to find a shop that does it old school. At RRR, formerly known as Discovery when it was located in Hornsby, you're guaranteed to find some hidden gems. They stock a huge range of both second and brand new vinyl records-LPs, EPs, 12", 45s and cd's. The music categories include House, Hip Hop, Reggae, Jazz and Progressive Rock, but there are many more. Be prepared to spend money-some of the records cost over $400 but if you search hard enough, you might just score a bargain. Some of my friends who are Trance DJ's keep their fingers crossed that nobody will find out about this place. Everything is carefully preserved and the owner only too happy to point you in the right direction or check the catalogue to see if the record you want is in store. In addition to music retail, there's a bunch of good books, bric-a-brac items such as home wares, jewellery and antiques, and even men's and women's clothing.

Gone but not forgotten. This is the small corner shop and you really need to commit to finding out…read morewhat's on it's shelves as it's all kind of stacked up one on top of the other. Well that's second hand records and books for you. There is a light waft of mothballs and rightly so. Anyhow, items are dirt cheap here, pardon the pun. So if you really want to get a magazine, an edition to your record collection or purchase an old relic because you're going through a collectors phase then you may be able to make a purchase for under $10 and leave with a couple of things.

Now this is a bar that I could really spend a decent amount of time at, if only because it is one…read moreof those unique places. Basically it is a bar that also doubles as a recordshop, or is it a record shop that happens to have a liquor license. I'm actually not sure which, but it does have a pretty cool vibe about it. It is also a basement bar, and these basement bars tend to have a life all of their own. Yep, this is certainly one that is going to be at the top of my list. Oh, you can also take your beers into the record shop while browsing.

Stopped in for a few cocktails on a Friday with some friends. The theme of the bar is music and…read morethey stay true to form. I loved all the records and the music blasting once we got underground. This bar is tiny, and it was definitely full upon our arrival, luckily, we were able to snag a table after a couple of minutes. I was quickly able to grab a drink, a gin and soda for 9 bucks, not too bad for the price and make my way through the lounge. My friend ordered a margarita which was quite small, didn't taste very good and was 19 dollars. Overall, I enjoyed my time here, I felt the drinks were decently priced, aside from the margarita, the staff was friendly, and the vibe was cool.

Last Christmas Soundtrack is very misleading. I love George Michael songs, but there is not one…read moresong sung by Emilia Clarke - period!

Hum has a varied collection of new release non - mainstream dvds but their mark-up consistently…read morehigh.

In part I'm surprised that places like this still exist, but in another way I am really glad that…read morethey do. This place is basically an old style recordshop that has an awesome selection of CDs and DVDs. In fact, when it comes to DVDs they then to carry the harder to find ones, and the classic and cult films, which is pretty awesome. Sure enough, within a few minutes I was able to find a couple of awesome films that you would simply not find in many of the other places, and not to mention the CDs as well. Certainly worth checking out, especially if you are retro like me.