It may be small, but it's a really nice place. prices aren't that expensive. Can be annoying if you're more than 10 people. Not enough space. Good selection of Soul / Jazz records. Not a large selection of Hip-Hop. But I found good records like Thundercat & Dilla. Will definitely go back whenever I'll go visit Washington DC again. read more

When I'm in DC I always stop at SOM because there are treasures to be found everywhere. They stock everything from classic rock to disco via Latin America and Brazil. The stock is incredibly well-curated, and if you're in the mood you can look under the racks and find some stone-cold classics for under $5. I'm a soul boy at heart, so it's great to see all the Salsoul, Whitefield and West End records in decent shape for next to nothing. $50 could make your next set a Larry Levan/Loft tribute no bother. They have an Expensive section where I found a record for $75, which is $25 cheaper than the cheapest copy on Discogs. The guy that works there is super friendly as well, and he knows his way around the genres that they stock. Ask him for a recommendation and you'll get some fire to elevate your collection. This is one of my favorite stores in the US. Miss it at your peril. Dope spot. read more

Great stuff. Visited back in July. Friendly dude named Neal (I think) rang me up. Space is at a premium so there's way more killer than filler. Found a lot of DC area stuff there, too, which seems like a no-brainer, but for a frequent traveler who always makes local record stores a part of my journeys, it's fun to bring home some local flavor from each of my destinations. I picked up some OG Minor Threat stuff, what I'm saying is, it feels way cooler to have picked that up in DC than anywhere else. Maybe I'm a nerd. Okay I'm a nerd. Worth following their instagram, too (@somrecordsdc). They're pretty good about posting noteworthy new arrivals there. I'd probably be in trouble if I lived in DC! read more

When you visit a used record store, they are either full of inexpensive records and you must dig for gold, or they have a small selection of high quality (and more pricey) discs. This store falls into the latter category. As you dig through the stacks you will see only records that you own or want--no filler! The prices rarely stretched over $10 and that was appreciated for such a high quality selection. There was an easily-accessed turntable for checking out discs. The Go Go section was small but crammed with quality. In the end I got some Go Go and a MIngering Mike T-Shirt. Well worth the journey down the stairs from 14th Street. read more

Coolest record shop in DC. But you already knew that. Eclectic mix of used records, well selected by the owner. Check the "This Just In" crate for recent gems. Smaller selection of new releases, but it's probably the ones you want. read more

Som Records has become my new go-to for my vinyl addiction. Conveniently located off 14th St. they are a small shop with a lot to offer. Very reasonably priced and every used record I've purchased is in great condition. There is a cool listening station at one end of the shop and there are even stools to save your knees the ache to look though the bottom shelf selection. They are also very active on instagram and post new additions daily (which is great of you're looking for a specific album). I got a limited release for my gf this way and now habitually check their page for the next great find. If you're ever around U Street, take the turn to swing on by and give yourself plenty of time to browse, they are definitely worth the trip. read more

I am an ardent devotee of independently owned music stores, and I absolutely adore Som ("Sound" in Portuguese) Records. Don't like the Lusophone name alienate you. While I am personally a huge fan of several Brazilian musical genres like Bossa Nova, Tropicalia, and Samba, and while there is a generous selection of many Luso-Brazilian records, there are also a tremendous amount of records and CDs from across a wide variety of genres. On my visits I have found many indie rock, hard rock, R and B, soul, funk, West African, and country records as well. Add the memorabilia, which ranges from kitschy figurines of icons like James Brown, to newspaper and magazine ads for records by David Bowie in the 1970s, to photos of African-American nightclub patrons in the 1930s and 40s, and you've got an establishment I could spend hours in. The proprietor, Neal Becton is also extremely knowledgeable about music and collector's items, not to mention help if you have any questions. This is one of my favorite businesses in DC. read more

I love this place! It's the only record shop in the area that I like to go to. Great selection, great location, great ownership too. Long Live Som. read more

I like this store. The staff are nice, the prices seem decent and the location is actually fairly convenient (read: close to Metro). One thing worth mentioning is that there isn't a lot of space. If there are 4-5 other customers it can get a bit tight. The space constraints also mean the vinyl is packed pretty tight making it more difficult to browse through. A second point worthy of mentioning is that they mostly stock old vinyl. If you are looking for something pressed in the past 10 years your chances of finding it here are fairly slim. They do, however, have a couple of rows of new releases. read more

The selection at Som is obviously picked through religiously by fellow crate diggers. Therefore the selection wasn't exactly what I had expected. But look through the recently arrived vinyl and you'll hit pay-dirt. Som Records is on average a couple bucks more expensive per album than some other places though, so you might be better served heading elsewhere. But if you are in the area, its a must. read more

Finally stopped by Som tonight., considering I work on 14th Street it was about time. I've been to 2 of the big record fairs they help with and finally said I need to stop in after having positive email experiences with them for a grad school project a while back. I got some great records, the place has good inventory for such a small store! The staff was kind and helpful too. I'm just floored by how awesome the retail experience on 14th street is, and it just can't be topped. I will be back more often as I expand upon my record collection. Wonderful local shop I will continue to support. Thanks Som! read more

Like any record store some of the employees are suspect like the guy who opened the store 20 minutes late, was eating his take out while watching a movie with his headphones in. I don't really care, it more made me chuckle. However, the owner is very serious and brings in great records. Not the largest selection but well thought out. Nice selection of jazz typically including several original and reissue Blue Note records which is surprising for "Indie" record shops. Maybe being located near U Street has something to do with it. They do a good job keeping up with popular releases as well. All in all, a great place to shop in DC just lacks the rigor of the nation's best record stores but obviously size and space is a huge consideration. read more

Great little record store that has a ton of used records to dig through; some being a bit obscure but only $5, others being something more collectible such as Talking Heads singles at $15. Plenty of jazz to dig through! Not that many new records, but that's fine, I enjoyed the vibe of this store because of that actually. Something funny to me was a bin titled expensive $hit, honesty and humor goes a long way in record stores. There's a turntable to preview your crate finds. Picked up a an excellent condition copy of The Worst of Jefferson Airplane for $5. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for used records. read more

I had a great experience here yesterday. I buy mostly jazz and "world" records. good selection, laid back atmosphere, plus, they separated "world" into regions, which is very handy. this place is definitely worth a stop. read more

Som is my favorite record store in the DC metro area. It's a small, literally underground space; it doesn't have a huge inventory, but virtually every time I go there I find at least one or two records I get excited about, and many more that I'd like to buy. There's a real emphasis in quality over quantity here, in other words. All of the general genres of music are covered - there are large rock, jazz and soul sections, and smaller reggae, hip-hop, and other sections. The prices are fair: you probably won't find any steals, but you won't get ripped off, either (even in the so-called "expensive" section the prices aren't too bad). The owner is friendly, knowledgeable, and unpretentious, and the rest of the staff is the same. Couple all this with the listening station, and you have a real DC treasure. read more

Small basement shop of new and used vinyl. Got my knees and hands dirty picking through stacks and left with a dozen used vinyl for $12.

Terrific record shop. DC is really fortunate to have a great spot like this, and a true digger like Neal to show them (and sell them) crazy records they may never ever find otherwise. If you're a digger or just casual collector definitely stop in. Literally all kinds of styles represented, healthy African, hip-hop, 12inch, funk, rock, Brazil, Reggae sections and a sizeable selection of new releases. And tons of 45s I rarely have time to peruse (too busy looking at the other stuff) Also one more word about Neal the owner. Incredibly solid dude who is out there digging and finding great things to sell in his shop - and offers fair money for trades (getting rarer and rarer these days). A guy who really earns his business and works really hard to maintain a really sweet and special store. read more

Great record store down 14th street near the Black Cat and the U Street corridor. It's a small shop packed with a ton of goodies. The listening station is an added bonus! I go here once every few months always walk out with something awesome and unexpected. They also sell record players....when I finally buy a new table I'll likely get it here. Staff is always friendly as well. read more

Som is a must visit for those of us who still love the sound of vinyl. At first glance you might be a bit skeptical, but dont let the size fool you...there's some great stuff in this spot. The fact that its in the basement kinda adds to the charm of it in my opinion. I've gotten some classics there for VERY reasonable prices(i scored Purple Rain WITH the original poster for less than 10.00!!!) and the staff is very knowledgeable and very welcoming. Go here!! Get yourself some vinyl and feel alright! read more

The location is iffy. But in this hard to find location you can find another decent DC record store with plenty of funk, soul, and jazz records to dig thru. I usually like my vinyl in the dollar bin and found some good stuff such as old Roberta Flack and George Duke. They conveniently have two listening stations in good working condition. The organization throughout the shop is nice and neat. The prices are above average but what do you expect in a city where the state economy grew in this recession. The record selection is better than Red Onion's in my opinion. read more

Best for used records - funk, soul, jazz. Priced a little high. Staff is friendly.

One of the best places to get Records. Every record that I saw at SOM has been in pretty good condition, you won't find excessive scuffs or scratches, the ones that have scuffs and scratches are priced as such. Their Latin section is actually pretty decent. Neal really tried to keep decent to good stuff in stock and will change things out every day. Really good store, laid back, the listening stations uses a technics, which in my mind is a plus. Organized very well. Small but quality stuff. read more

Nice, little record store in downtown DC. If you're in town, it's worth a visit - but I wouldn't go too far out of my way to shop there. They have a little 'collectors corner' where I picked up some early 80's hip hop - I paid about the going rate for it. read more

Great little record store, perhaps my favorite in the DC area. A nice selection of Jazz, Brazilian, African and Classic Rock. Very reasonable prices. Definitely a place to dive in and start looking. The guys working there are knowledgeable about there music and their stock. read more

Nice spot with a great variety of music. The Brazilian and "Latin" sections are the best in the area. Check back routinely. Great staff as well! read more

Neal is THE MAN! Som is my favorite record store in DC. For sure! We are lucky to have him here in DC. He has totally fair prices and he's always out there digging for new crazy records for the store (and himself)! I've found a BAZILLION awesome records there in the past! BIG TIP! read more

I can't name the number of times I walked past Som Records on my way to the Black Cat without noticing it but I am SO glad I walked in about a year ago! This is by far my favorite record store in DC. The owner, Neal, carries an awesome variety of records from hip-hop and reggae to classic alternative and new releases. The prices are awesome and so fair. On Record Store Day I got 2 Elvis Costello records in great condition and a new Cold War Kids album, all for under 40 dollars. Definitely stop in here and I can guarantee you'll find something you like! Also really close to the metro, lots of restaurants, and music venues! read more

The store is a rectangle, about 25" wide by 50" deep in shopping area. Of that, only about 5% of the space is for used hip-hop, which is what I was looking for. With that being said, I did find two good records (Stetsasonic & Micranots) at a reasonable price. read more

I might go as far as to say this is the best record store in DC. The selection is always good, and the prices are good. I don't have money to buy records half the time, but if I did, I would be blowing a lot of it in here. read more

The owner of the store has scoured from coast to coast and far and wide to find perfect records to add to the store's collection. You'll find a huge selection of vinyl from common genres to those you've never heard of. If you're a music fan of any kind visit the store just to browse and you're sure to find something you never imagined you wanted. They'll buy vinyl that's in good shape too. read more

Love it. This is my favorite place to shop for music (tied with Red Onion). Good prices, great selection and nice staff. A winner.

This is an excellent little record store. The selection is thoughtfully curated and you will always find something (often many somethings) cool and interesting to listen to. I've shopped here many times and the records are always in good condition. I definitely recommend this place. read more

sweet place! lured in by the sweet sound of marvin gaye live...raided the clearance bins and found some beautiful $1 finds in great condition! they've got plenty of soul, blues, hip-hop, rock, folk, etc... even some nice brazilian finds. quality. read more

Loved this place, good music while I was there. Dude working was really cool. One of the only places that had a good Gospel records section fairly priced. Place to listen to records which is a must. Really Killer, highly recommended read more

Fantastic used selection of indie & classic rock titles. Many hard to find for very reasonable prices. This will be a regular stop for me whenever in DC for sure! read more

This is my favorite record shop in DC. It's small but well stocked with desirable records, and there's a no-fuss listening station in the corner for previewing your finds. read more

i was searching for a rare-ish record as a gift for my friend. i called around and thankfully found it at som records. i was super impressed with how helpful the guy behind the counter was and how helpful they were on the phone before i headed down. and i'm no music expert, but there are some amazing records there! i love the way the space is designed and the place seems to have a great sense of humor. made dc just a little bit cooler. or maybe a lot... read more

My husband was really excited about going to this store so it's the only reason why it appeared on our my to-do list. The address he had was the old one so we couldn't find it and as we were looking for another one we found out the moved into the other record store and the original one there moved. I wasn't too impressed with the selection but if you're into music from 70's, 80's, and 90's with a rare sighting of a new record then you may like this store; kind of the reason why my husband did. I didn't really enjoy the layout but for how much space he was working with he made it work. Definitely recommend to friends read more

Som is a nice place. The staff is friendly. I rarely find the records I want (mainly new and used indie stuff), but every once in awhile I stumble on a bargain for an older LP. They're not above selling you a perfectly good record from the 70's for $3. If they catered more to my taste, I'd be there more often. read more

i haven't actually shopped here in about a year but this was /is my go to spot for everything i need in used and occasionally new vinyl...i swear I'll be thinking about a record and it'll end up in my hands the next time I walk in...given that DJ Hut/12" Dance is closed Som kinda fills the void for the more contemporary digger although Neal doesn't carry most of that crap you can still get new electronic/dance tunes and the occasional new hip hop album..I just love how diverse his selection his..I try to visit every section when I'm shopping (depending on how deep my pockets are)and the prices just make sense...most other places you have to know your vinyl before you can know if your getting ripped off or not so this place is good for beginners..i also love how honest and down to earth it is..it's like your going into someones home and I really do appreciate that ..you can also come up on some electronics if your into that he's carrying turntables and assorted gear from time to time...Neal's also affiliated with the guy who was doing repairs for DJ Hut so if you needs a dj doctor then check him out.... but man what else can I say, reasonable prices, awesome music, great ownership,and most of all love of music..... read more