Berlin Music

Space Hall, Zossenerstr. 33, 35 (www.spacehall.de), They don't make them like this in the States no more. The CD store is two doors down from the vinyl store. The vinyl store just keeps going, with a “bunker” vibe and a courtyard where DJs sometimes spin and sample turntables. They also have an inspiring collection of rubber duckies. U7: Gneisenaustr. Open M-W 11am-8pm, Th-F 11am-10pm, Sa 11-8pm. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access. Has outdoor seating.
Melting Point, Kastanienallee 55 (www.meltingpoint-berlin.de), An unassuming little pod with vinyl and CD collections, this little joint gets frequented by Berliner DJs and other members of Berlin's popping club scene. Don't come here for the White Album. U8: Rosenthaler Pl. From the U-bahn walk nort east up Weinbergsweg, which will turn into Kastanienallee. Records €5-30. Open M-Sa noon-8pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.
Hardwax, Paul-Lincke-Ufer 44a (www.hardwax.com), This record shop lies hidden, pushed back from the street, up a graffiti-covered stairwell to the third floor of a space that could as easily be a garage or a storage shed. Instead, records that set the latest trends in Berlin line the walls, and a staff that lives and breathes this music stands by to (if they must) help out clueless tourists. U1 or U8: Kottbusser Tor. From the U-bahn, head south on Kottbusserstr. Take a left just before the canal. Records €5-30. Open M-Sa noon-8pm. Does not take credit cards. No wheelchair access.
Franz and Josef Scheiben, Kastanienallee 48 This is secondhand vinyl at its best. With a huge collection of used records that spills out of the shop and onto the street outside, Franz and Josef may specialize in '80s rock and punk, but they carry much more. Records sell for as low as €1, but prices vary in a store that sells some true antiques; the owner will tell you to expect to pay somewhere between €1 and €1000 for your vinyl. Thankfully, almost all the records fall pretty close to that first marker. U2: Senefelderpl. Open M-Sa 1pm-8pm. Does not take credit cards.
Fidelio, Akazienstr. 30 For those looking to get in touch with their classier side, Fidelio is the place to go. An extensive selection of classical, jazz, and world music lines the walls and spills out of low bookcases. If you've only just recently been inspired to give Wagner a listen, the staff here are more than happy to point newcomers in the right direction. Fidelio sells primarily CDs, with some vintage vinyl on the side. Prices are generally standard; there's a wide range, but albums usually fall in at about €12. U7: Eisenacherstr. Open M-F 11am-7pm, Sa 10am-3pm. Does not take credit cards.