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    Sister Ray

    3.9 (56 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Sister Ray Photos

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    On the main floor, next to hours of browsing
    Evan M.

    Plenty of music to find here for CD and vinyl enthusiasts alike. The main floor was CD-based, so I spent my time here. Prices were reasonable enough at 8 to 11 pounds ($10 - $14 at this time), but given that most London shops take CDs out of their cases I don't recall if everything was new at that price (fine) or used (uh oh). I did appreciate the area of the room near the staff table that had some albums and books at a discounted price and managed to get a few good choices there. Given its deep selection and proximity to other music stores in Soho, Sister Ray is definitely worth a look on a music-buying trip.

    Karl B.

    Sister Ray is one of those independent record shops that I always find a little depressing. When ever I go in there, I always feel that, what was once a great record shop, is being swindled out of pocket from the greedy people intent on inappropriately stealing. I've always had the view that, if you are going to download music, you should at least be conscientious about it; only take from the big cheeses and the dead, not from the people who really struggle for record sales, and furthermore to make a living. Take Sister Ray for instance, it's stock is slowly dwindling down, and it's fine selection of avant-garde / experimental music is clearly not as extensive as it used to be. However, the choice is still better than most, and you can still pick up rarities a honest prices. Although the shelves have become a little bare recently, their eclectic collection of humbly priced vinyl is still worth a look in. The knowledge of the staff is impeccable and always ceases to amaze me. I am a passionate advocate for stores like Sister Ray, so I say: stop being lazy and stealing from them, and go down there and pick up some great records.

    Joseph T.

    Sister Ray, named for a Velvet Underground song, is probably the most famous of the independent record stores on Berwick Street. It is, however, a fairly small shop with CDs immediately as you come in and records and the till on a slightly lowered floor beyond. The CD collection is pretty good, with a diverse but small selection across nearly all genres, though I've had trouble finding electronica and hip hop cds. I do not have an record player so I can't judge the LP collection. Which is unfortunate, and hampers this review, as I can imagine that may be where the shop comes into its own. The staff are very knowledgeable, and have been able to answer any questions I have had.

    Sister Ray
    Stellio C.

    So how did Sister Ray Records earn the coveted title of 'best indie record store' in 2007? It could be their wholesome, hand-picked 'Sisteray Recommends...' stands. Maybe it's their 50% off discount bins. It might be their average-to-good selection of every genre you can think of, from 60s acid rock to Chicago house. It's tough in the music industry when you're independent, and despite nearly closing down this year, Sister Ray will remain open and keep those ears tuned in to whatever consoles them. The posters and t-shirts on offer are also not carbon copies of everything you'd see elsewhere. Check the posters in a Zavvi or HMW and I'll put a tenner on you finding at least one alien asking you to take him to your dealer, or Justin Timberlake pulling a blue steel. The vinyl section of Sister Ray is also excellent, and worth a browse if you're shopping to get a few dance classics. I would recommend Sisteray to any music lover, because Sisteray are music lovers themselves.

    Qype User (Jonla…)

    If you're looking to buy good quality LPs from mainstream artists, this is probably your best bet from the multitude of stores along Berwick street. Whilst they don't have the bargain basement of the nearby Music and Video Exchange chain, they do have a large selection of vinyl, particularly mainstream releases (indie/rock) which you'd struggle to find in decent condition from the competition. They're particularly good for buying new releases. Not the cheapest, and whilst I held off buying anything when I visited, I'm not sure how long I'll go before I crack and make a return visit.

    Clarissa D.

    Sister Ray is my favourite record store. I absolutely love digging through their CDs, getting my fingers dirty with new and used melodies. Their prices are super cheap. A full album that you would normally pay a tenner for at HMV will cost £8 here. They also have a great selection of underground vinyl. If you're into obscure drum and bass or techno, you'll be overcome with glee when you see what they have to offer you. Mainstream, underground; they do it all at super reasonable prices.

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    3 years ago

    Nice place for used records in great shape. Small compared to the record shops in the US but great selection downstairs.

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    Sister Ray Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Sister Ray

    Awesome independent record shop that is the only real competition for Rough Trade East.

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

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    People searched for Music & DVDs 155 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

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    Rough Trade - interior

    Rough Trade

    4.1(76 reviews)
    2.8 miBrick Lane, Shoreditch
    ££

    Rough Trade js a super cool music store...though I'd argue it's a bookstore and cafe with a music…read morestore attached to it, lol. They have a major selection of everything, books, cds, and records. I perused the books as I'm not much of a hard copy music person and stumbled on a book about J Dilla, which I ended up buying. So, great visit!

    You know that oft-quoted line from the movie High Fidelity that goes "I agreed that what really…read morematters is what you like, not what you are like... books, records, films -- these things matter"? The truth of this is up for debate, but are you someone whose eyes light up (and ears perk up) at the mention of The Smiths, Belle and Sebastian, Arcade Fire, and The Strokes (who were all signed to Rough Trade at one point or another), even though you're loath to admit that you read Pitchfork occasionally...? Go on. This is just the place for you. Make a pilgrimage to Rough Trade because we both know that you're the kind of person who'd wander around Brick Lane anyway. Rough Trade makes me feel like that this is probably what an everyday record store looked like back in the heyday of college radio back in the '80s and '90s. (Recent former college DJ here, confirming that absolutely no one listened to our station because we were online.) There's something for every music fan here, from indie to underground CDs and vinyl to hip music memorabilia such as posters and clothing. Browse to your heart's content and remember to stop by when there's a free gig going on. Soak up the cooler-than-you vibes that'll help boost your indie cred, fork out some money for the trendy black-and-white photo booth (you know you can't resist it), and brag to all of your friends back home that you discovered a cool new band here that they've probably never heard of before.

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    Rough Trade
    Rough Trade
    Rough Trade

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    HMV

    HMV

    2.0(2 reviews)
    2.3 miBayswater
    £

    Absolutely disgusting, do NOT buy anything from these people. They are vile the lot of them, they…read moretalk to customers like they are nothing. I had a preorder that I paid for in cash. The item arrived damaged 3 or 4 days late. They tried to be awkward by refusing to refund me & only refund me by debit card. I told them they are NOT having my card details & it was absolutely absurd, at this point the manager Ross from Coventry HMV store started being abusive making accusatory comments about the tone in my voice. I have autism & I don't feel I was rude in any way. I was trying to state a fact which was misinterpreted as me being rude. The only time I was rude to HMV was when I was provoked. I've experienced discrimination as well with the staff making inappropriate comments about the way I was dressed which I felt isn't relevant & completely inappropriate. I do think stores like HMV unfortunately abuse vulnerable customers because they think they can get away with it. Their customer services via phone is absolutely awful & very unhelpful. I would urge anyone, simply don't do business with them at all, they don't care about you as the customer. They don't deserve any customers at all with they treated me.

    I visited the store on 12/13 September 2011. It is located about 1500 meters from Bayswater Station…read moreon London's Underground. My only other experience with HMV in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada which used to be a Virgin Megastore (one of Sir Robert Branson's spinoffs). So, by comparison, this store is about 1/4 the size of the Vancouver location. The staff appear pretty friendly and helpful without being overbearing. They allow you to walk in the store and to get your bearing before chiming in with their "Can I help you..." mantra. The store is laid out as most music stores with CD's sorted by genre and alphabetized within the genre. The selection of DVD and Bluray is smaller than I expected. Additionally, some of the staff is not familiar with the region coding issues that can occur when you buy DVD media in countries other than those you reside. They do, however, seem to understand PAL vs. NTSC. Unlike it's Vancouver counterpart, it did not have as many accessories for music players (but this is probably because of the small size). The music is not played loudly and the lighting is adequate so the store atmosphere is pleasant. There is not an abundance of over-advertising of movies or music as I would have expected as I have seen in other non-HMV stores. Converting British Pounds to the US/Canadian dollar, there were actually many cheaper products than buying them in the US/Canada. Hopefully, the store is still there when I make my next trip to London as I will do my homework on movies and such to determine if I can play purchases on my home system.

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    HMV

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    Sister Ray - musicvideo - Updated May 2026

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