Visiting from out of town, the set up to this place is unique, only cds on the floor and all the vinyl is behind the counter. I also walked in a minute from closing time at 6pm, and thought I might buy a shirt, but was rudely told that they were closed. Will spend my money elsewhere like Reckless Records who are open until 7pm. Cheers! read more

Sister Ray is a super cool record store (and conveniently down the street from a few other great record stores). My vinyl crazed husband spent some good time in here. So first, this is a two-story store with vinyl downstairs and CDs upstairs. The downstairs is IMPRESSIVELY organized, which just tickled my fancy because I love it when things are organized. All of the sleeves are empty - the records are kept behind the counter downstairs. And even when you walk up with a stack of records, the organization is so good that they can easily locate all of the albums you wish you wish to purchase in a flash. The staff was great and friendly and they really knew their music too. The young man helping us had a deep discussion with my husband about some artists I don't know. It was a really good stop. And bonus points for the cool vintage cassettes painted on the stairwell. read more

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Honestly I can't recommend it. All the vinyl LPs are just photo-copies of jackets and you have to go to the counter to actually look at anything. Prices were pretty much top dollar for condition. Also like others have said, there's no clear indication of what pressing you may be asking to see. I ended up asking to see several Beatles reissue LPs when I assumed they would be vintage pressings based on the jacket print outs I brought up to the counter. Good thing I know better or I would have ended up buying used reissues instead of the originals I'm after. Oh, also the music over the speaker system was quite loud, almost to the point of making me anxious. It was EDM as well, which can be quite grating when you're looking at vintage 60s and 70s rock LPs. read more

Decent shop with a decent selection. I did find a few albums that I had been on the lookout for. Out of all the SoHo shops in the area, Sister Ray seems to be the fairest; price wise, ranging on the median price for the market on used vinyl. read more

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

Remember the record shops of 25 years ago on Haight Street with names like Recycled and Reckless, or, for those of you fellow Eastbayers, Rasputin down in San Lorenzo? No? That's all right because you've a chance to experience the scene here at Sister Ray in Berwick St. just up from Foxcroft and Ginger, incidentally. Stopping in there brings me back to the days of quietly (read: no mobile phones and the like) and relentlessly sifting through cassettes and records looking for just the right one. I went in the other day looking for Wild Flag, a band consisting of former Sleater-Kinney members and their pals from other bands of the same era. Of course, they had WF. I figured they would. What I didn't figure on was their carrying some oldies but goodies like De La Soul ca. late 80s. They only thing that would have made me happier was to have found Michael Franti's group Disposable Heroes... Ah, well. read more

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. read more

Sister Ray - On the main floor, next to hours of browsing - Music & DVDs Near Me - London, XGL

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Do not shop here online. Absolute scam artists. I bought a record 6 weeks ago for a birthday. It didn't show up even though I was promised it in 5-7 days. No contact from them, I had to chase them myself. Got told it would come the following week. Didn't. Chased again, following week, nothing. It has now been 6 weeks, no replies to last two emails, no record, no refund, no apology. Complete frauds. I'm glad HMV are back. Don't touch these with a barge pole. read more

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. read more

Sister Ray - Music & DVDs Near Me - London, XGL

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. read more

Sister Ray - Music & DVDs Near Me - London, XGL

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. read more

Sister Ray - Sister Ray - Music & DVDs Near Me - London, XGL

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. read more

Sister Ray - Music & DVDs Near Me - London, XGL

One of these days I'm going to stop buying CDs. I'm sure I should have already. Yet, on the day of a big new release in the world of Eamon, I usually hit Sister Ray first thing to pick it up. It's a pretty comprehensive shop, and I nearly always find what I was after and something else I didn't realize I was looking for. It's not Amoeba or anything, but I've still managed to kill a surprising amount of time browsing around in here. Not to mention they have bargain-price rocknroll books at the front counter for extreme impulse purchasing. Did I need a gigantic, neon-pink Clash photobook? Yes. The answer is definitely yes. Until the CD is completely dead, I will probably be the last sucker buying them, and as long as I'm in London, it'll probably be at Sister Ray. read more

I always check out a record store when I'm in an unfamiliar area. Walking through Soho (looking for icecream) we passed Sister Ray. I couldn't keep walking so we went inside to see what the deal was. Inside, the store is 2 floors, with a basement exclusively for vinyl. The store is clean and organised, which is not what you always get with record stores... Some of my preconceptions were wrong about this place. Firstly, being Soho I envisioned curly moustaches, braces and lensless glasses. What I found was the full spectrum of London digging through the stacks searching for their gold. I only came in here for 10 minutes at the end of the day, but the next time I am back I will make the effort to spend a lot longer here! read more

Prices are to the full value if they are collectible or originals . No deals on the sought after ones. These guys mix reissues with originals not plainly labeling the difference . Sneaky sneaky sneaky! I shouldn't have to ask at the counter every time to check issue date . They use photo copies of vintage albums for reissue albums . There are better stores around . Besides the staff is snobbish. read more

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. read more

Sister Ray - Music & DVDs Near Me - London, XGL

I love London, and I love Soho. Berwick Street is a must-do for any record collector. Sister Ray has a great selection of new and used. It's well-organized. I love the selection of UK punk, electronic, and many brit pop records that are so hard to find in Canada. There are discount bins. And there are special deals on records, CDs and books to be had at the counter. Best of all, they have a great sound system. I believe the gear is supplied by an audiophile source and it makes all the difference. On more that one occasion, I found myself buying the album that was being playing because it was so much more engaging there than at your standard record shop sound system. One of those albums, Holden - The Inheritors, was probably my favourite album of 2013. read more

Every time I am in Soho I make a point of visiting this place, simply because it is a damn good music store and these pearls are rare thing to find. It is so good because it is independent, with a perfect indie music selection, mix of old classics and new stuff I have never heard of, with recommendations I fully trust and staff that I consider almost like my friends. I am not interested in top hits what the top radios play in their top lists, no no, this stuff is for you only if you are looking for something more..real? read more

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Sister Ray is a good independent record store. There is a nice collection of a lot of genres of music. I found a lot of Hardcore, Punk Rock and Metal records. They are organized really well, both new and used, so that you can get in and out without having to search through their entire inventory to find something. The only downfall about Sister Ray is that it seems to be just a little more expensive than most of the other indie shops in London, Camden in particular. I found some of the same records a couple of pounds cheaper at several other places. I would def go back again, but I may check some other shops first. read more

I've been to nearly every record shop in this area, which is surprisingly a ton, and in my opinion Sister Ray is the best. Most of the other surrounding shops pigeon hole themselves into certain genres; jazz/house/dub/etc. Sister Ray, however, has an extremely wide range of genres and an enormous selection. It seems like the biggest of the neighboring record stores as well. The shop is very close to the Oxford Circus tube station and is a great stop if you are going shop hopping. They have a new releases section, an okay selection of 7", and then tons of rows of genres. About 1/5th of the store is consumed by their CD section. I don't mean to sound ironic when talking about a record store, but who buys CDs anymore? Records at least have novelty and are cool, but CDs are just...disks. I think they will eventually knock out this section and fill it with more records, or at least I hope! If your only record excursion of the year is on Record Store Day, Sister Ray has the largest selection of exclusive releases in the surrounding area. I went here this year and they had an expansive list of limited edition stuff. Very cool! Overall, Sister Ray is your classic record store and a place you could spend hours browsing. If you're going to go to one record store in central London, go to Sister Ray! read more

One of the better record stores in SOHO. Sleek clean interior and well organized. Makes it easier to shop and all you to find and organize things mentally. Great customer service and most stuff is priced accordingly. A few U2 titles that grabbed my attention. read more

One of the best independent record shops in London, an endangered specie nowadays. Wide range of styles from all decades, very fair prices, helpful staff and something that is really important and not all the music stores have: a few decks where to listen to the vinyl records before deciding what to bring home. I personally appreciate the 7" section, with some good original stuff and reissues. The LP selection is also impressive, specially if you're looking for Soul / Funk or early Jamaican sounds as I do, with some of the best recent compilations and reissues. There is also a good selection of dvds at reasonable prices and merchandising, as well as a few interesting and very cheap music books. Check it out! read more

Great record store to visit when you're abroad. Only problem is it's jammed packed with people and is quite claustrophobic. Some jerkoff decided it would be funny to fart in the middle of this human gridlock...needless to say I bolted for the exit without making a purchase. Excellent variety of music but horrible ventilation read more

I am torn between giving Sister Ray 5 stars because this is as good as it gets for vinyl buyers in London and giving it 3 because there are so many obvious artists who aren't represented in their stock list. Also it's a little on the expensive side and you can generally find stuff for much cheaper online but nothing beats a peruse through a record store to make you feel trendier than Ryan Gosling's beard. As much as I like to spend my free time flipping through the stock here until my arms hurt, I find it strange and discouraging that I've been able to track down The Stray Cats, Danny Kaye & the Andrews Sisters, Fats Waller and Okkervil River but they don't have The Shins or Lana del Rey. I wasn't able to find Nirvana's seminal 'Nevermind' or get ahold of a single one of Brand New's records... It's all a little perplexing and not down to bad luck as I'm here at least once a month. I understand that they can't very well stock everything but come on... It's Nirvana. They didn't release all that many albums in the first place because of you know, that thing that happened. Well I guess you win some you lose some so I take the good with the bad. Vinyl might be experiencing a revival but record stores are still few and far between so I'm at least grateful Sister Ray has been here this entire time. The selection is varied and lots of genres are stocked but don't expect to find everything here. For that, there's always eBay. At time of writing (spring 2014) Sister Ray is opening another location directly opposite this one. Hopefully this means even more choice! read more

I stopped off at Sister Ray to look for a couple of specific records, after visiting a few other SOHO stores I found this one to be better organized and the staff were very helpful. I was looking for some Prog Rock and ended up buying a couple great LP's in very good condition. read more

Sister Ray is London's finest major alternative shop for old records-if vinyl is your passion and not cds you will definitely find a huge selection there. I recently most of my old records for a good price. read more

Sister Ray - Music & DVDs Near Me - London, XGL

This is the first time I've ever given a one star review. It is purely due to Jem and her customer service, or rather lack there of. Needless to say, she has a terrible attitude and I hope the manager of the store reads this! She was nice enough to tell me that I had 20 minutes until the store closed, but then five minutes later came back and said "since you're the only one here, we're closing now so you need to bring your purchases to the counter". OK, I get it, you're closing 15 minutes early because I'm the only one left. But I asked her for five more minutes please, and she tells me that she's been working nine hours that day and wants to go home. Boo hoo, you whiny brat. Thanks to you I'm not coming to the store again. I'll spend my money that I work nine hours a day for somewhere else. read more

As of October 2008, it was announced that Sister Ray is in serious danger of closing down. It's still open as I write this review but I don't reckon it'll be open much longer. The store is/was dominated by vinyl but with a very decent selection of CDs at the front of the store as well. Although it is famous for being part of Oasis history (on the cover of one of their albums) and Arctic Monkeys history (the first shop to sell their music), the music in there is/was a lot more eclectic than Oasis' or Arctic Monkeys' bland indie-pop. There was a good showing of alternative and electronic music and several times I ended up asking the shop assistant what the music they were playing was, because it was usually something unexpected and quality. Another victim of iTunes and SoulSeek that will be missed by music lovers. read more

There's a fine selection of music in here and the accent is definitely on the alternative side of the music scene. Some of the rare stuff is rather expensive but at least these guys are willing to get these bits in. I find the attitude a little condescending in here - smiles are hard to come by and there seems to be little enthusiasm for the music they sell. I used to buy stuff from the founders of this place when they ran a market stall in Camden in the 80s so it's sad to think they might not be around for much longer. read more

Sister Ray is a nice record shop in the heart of London. It's not too big but the assortment of vinyl and cds is quite impressive - not so much by number but by quality. They mostly sell Indie music and you can always find a nice second hand deal here. Music lovers will also love the range of Fanzines and books presented at the counter. My last visit to Sister Ray was in 2009 and I don't know how the shop has developed since then. I came here on the recommendation of a friend who also told me that he had enjoyed talking to the sales people. I may not be as charming as him or it may have been a bad hair day but my conversation was not as inspiring as his. I will surely pay another visit to Sister Ray next time I come to London and I strongly recommend it to everybody else who is in search of remarkable music and loves atmospheric record shops. read more

Boring Mostly new records Old records downstairs where way overpriced 500£ for dark side of the moon? I have the a1b3 solid blue triangle and paid half last month read more

Awesome independent record shop that is the only real competition for Rough Trade East. Great staff recommends at the front of the store with the weekly new releases in the front window. There is pretty much everything the expert music fan could need here with great racks of vinyl and CD's ranging from Avant Rock to Bluegrass. Support Independent record shops!!! read more

This is the first place I went to when I began collecting vinyl, and I loved it. Now that I have had more experience I can say that this isn't exactly the best one in London. The main reason for this is the touristy prices, and there are not many originals or rarities. So overall, it is a good place to begin collecting, since there is a cool variety but not too much to get confused by. read more

Nobody seems to have mentioned the promo section by the counter! They sell CDs that aren't on general release for no more than a fiver! I got Amander Palmers solo album 2 weeks before it went on sale! read more

I agree that Sister Ray has a large variety of alternative vinyls. Some of them are certainly hard to find. Although the price is slightly higher, the variety and depth of music makes up the difference. Having the thought that vinyl is in decline is a sad thought. Thumbs up for Sister Ray Records read more

Sister Ray is in a great location, and has a little of everything- 'indie', mainstream pop-rock, dance, hip hop, electronica, garage rock, d&b, techno, industrial, house, metal, drone...and alot more genres I can't be bothered to list. It stocks new and old material both on vinyl and cd. Much fairer pricing than in HMV. For Chicago readers, Sister Ray is pretty much the English equivalent of Reckless both in size and stock. Except Reckless lacks the problems noted below. The reason that Sister Ray doesn't get a fourth star is because the staff weren't helpful in regards to my query and because customers were looking at others choices as much as they were browsing for themselves. Surely it doesn't matter whether I buy a cd by Regina Spektor or an lp by EN- everything we buy helps keep this store open. read more

Unlike other shops in the area this place carried a pretty broad selection across a variety of genres. My big win here was a copy of London Calling (buying London Calling while in London, I know) in near mint condition on red vinyl. Best part is the price was the same or less than what shops in Seattle charge for far more beat up copies on the rare occasions they even have it. The vinyl area was pretty modest but I was surprised at how many albums I was able to find. The racks were not stuffed with crappy filler albums as I've seen in the vinyl sections of so many stores. It's a must visit for any vinyl fan. read more

It's like passing in front a a very good flower shop, with the smell & stuff. Well, here, it's the sound that made me turn around and go discover Sister Ray's quality music selection. Quality over quantity is what you'll find here, with 2 turntables to listen to the gems. Check out their monthly selection on the wall, as I discovered some great names on there, like "Unknown Mortal Orchestra". My turntables are still in Brussels, but as soon as they're here and plugged in, I'll definitely get back here. read more

They have a great selection. Especially if you are into indie. When I returned to the USA and realized they put the wrong cd in the jewel case I contacted them and they mailed me the correct cd at no charge. What service. read more

Well the original place has gone. Which was THE place to search for records. Now the new one across the road feels too clinical and soulless. It's sad really. Doesn't feel like a place you can wander aimlessly for a hour on lunch break. Lost the character and space seemingly. read more