Amoeba Music

We were visiting from Texas, and were checking out the area. We dropped by Amoeba because my daughter loves record stores. Well this is not your typical record store! Amoeba has a HUGE variety of records, books, posters, and anything else music. Definitely worth a stop if you're in the area.

Quite possibly the best record store I’ve ever been in. Their selection is huge, and as a jazz head, they had so many amazing albums I wanted to buy and just simply didn’t have the budget for. Their Brazilian music selection is great, and those records are hard to come by in my area, so that was much appreciated. The staff is kind and helpful, and they can ship your records to you if you’re coming in from out of town. They do a routine bag check after you’ve made your purchases. They do validate parking for the lot by their store, but open/screenshot your QR code BEFORE going down to the lot - we lost service and ended up having to pay $13 for parking for about an hour.

We make it to Amoeba as often as we can, even though we live out of state. It’s just one of those places that’s totally worth the trip. The selection is huge, and they’ve got so many artists you’d never find anywhere else. Records, CDs, posters, special copies or editions, there’s always something cool to find. The staff is super friendly and helpful. It’s the kind of place you want to come back to all the time!

The store is huge!!! And pretty cool that they have a parking garage attached so you don’t have to worry about street parking. They offer free validation with purchase from the store you just ask the cashier. Selections are pretty great they have a ton of modern music and plenty of older stuff too. I usually prefer to search for older music and albums and they have so much to dig through its great. I was a bit let down by the pricing, cds that I can find online for $4 were $8-12. They had really great jazz, hip hop, r&b and soul sections but it’s not as extensive as the rock sections. Yet still have some pretty cool rare things so it’s great to just be able to buy in person. They have a huge inventory. I was able to find some sealed Alice Coltrane cds, Sun Ra & r&b cds and dancehall 45s. Overall great I just prefer the SF locations this one is more overpriced.

SOOOOOO COOOOL!!!!! This is officially my favorite music store. I say music because it's not just records. They sell records, CDs, posters, band shirts and hats, books, mugs with artists' pictures on them, candles, toys of music artists, lunch boxes, pins, keychains, record players, and more! This place is sooooo cool. It is also HUGE so you could be here for a while. I cannot wait to come back!

Massive selection of vinyl records, CDs, DVDs, and even cassettes, it’s one of the best places to discover new music or track down rare finds. The atmosphere is vibrant and welcoming, with awesome staff who are extremely helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly. Hosting live performances and in-store events often, Amoeba is more of a cultural hub. There’s an underground parking for 1.5 hours validated with any purchase.

Amoeba Music is an absolute paradise for music lovers and collectors! The vibes in this store are incredible—lively, nostalgic, and full of energy. Walking in, you’re instantly surrounded by rows and rows of vinyl, CDs, and more, with such an impressive selection that it’s almost overwhelming (in the best way). You can find music from all over the world, covering every genre imaginable. As a rock fan, I was thrilled to explore their rock section and snagged albums from Oasis and Radiohead, which I’ve been wanting for ages. The prices are also super reasonable, especially for such a wide variety of records and CDs—there’s something for every budget. And it’s not just music! They also sell a great selection of merchandise featuring music stars—shirts, posters, accessories, and more—perfect for any fan looking to take a piece of their favorite artist home. Whether you’re hunting for a rare find, looking to add to your collection, or just want to experience a truly iconic music store, Amoeba Music is a must-visit. I could easily spend hours there, just browsing and enjoying the atmosphere. Highly recommend it for any music lover! 🎶

I had to visit while I was in LA for a week. It felt surreal being amongst the sea of bins and seeing all the posters on the walls. This is every collectors dream. I had to practice a lot of self control because I didn’t have a lot of room in my luggage but I left with a couple of CDs. They have a huge selection, it’d be hard not to find something you like no matter what genre you’re into.

After checking in to our hotel, we went for a little walk and I was surprised/excited to discover we were just around the corner from the legendary Amoeba Music. I'd been seeing the place lately in videos with celebrities talking about music and movies they loved, so I was excited to check the place out for myself. And indeed, it's an incredible place. They've got a massive selection of virtually every format of music, and also a whole bunch of other things too. I went to peruse their book selection and wound up grabbing a vintage Raymond Chandler novel for a very reasonable price. It's no surprise to me that Amoeba Music is considered one of the best record shops on the planet. It's great.

Amoeba music is a really cool place for touristy buyers, but for sellers it's a f*#!ing scam! I was paid pennies on the dollar for a huge crate of hundreds of CD's my mom has had for years We were paid &64 for our collection and they rejected like 25% of our cd's, they didn't even scan them and dude the dude just glanced each over based on memory. So we took the leftover ones to bookoff which actually did scan each one over and gave us $82 dollars for the music amoeba rejected! Never going back to amoeba as a seller. Don't get scammed.

Just one of the best places to buy music ,books ,DVDs, Posters . It's a great place to just come check out whenever you're in Hollywood . They have validated parking just south of the record store . So many things to see , service is great very knowledgeable employees. Some things are great prices and some little bit more.

Amoeba is iconic! Recently stopped by after checking out Green Day's new star on the Walk of Fame (it's right outside Amoeba!). It's such a fun store to browse- CDs, cassettes, vinyl, movies, apparel, gifts, live shows, all the vibes. So many music shops are gone- Amoeba still has that nostalgia and magic of the "good ol days"

I miss the old location but this location has grown on me! I came to pick up The Weeknd's new "Hurry Up Tomorrow" 2LP and I was able to find it quickly on the main aisle under New Releases section and also in R&B section. I also happen to realized that my all time favorite DJ Avicii also released a special vinyl so I picked it up as well. Not only new releases but also they have a huge used section of vinyls, CDs, DVDs and more! Staff is super helpful and friendly! I had called earlier to check availability and they were quick to check their inventory. Parking garage available a few blocks down and if you purchase you'll be able validate for free. Just don't forget to give your phone number at the register and you'll get a text message with a QR code. Be sure to download it first before returning to the underground garage or else you'll have limited cell service.

SOOOOOO COOOOL!!!!! This is officially my favorite music store. I say music because it's not just records. They sell records, CDs, posters, band shirts and hats, books, mugs with artists' pictures on them, candles, toys of music artists, lunch boxes, pins, keychains, record players, and more! This place is sooooo cool. It is also HUGE so you could be here for a while. I cannot wait to come back!

WOW!! stopped in before going to see wicked at the pantages and was truly impressed to see there was a $5 coupon for customers who showed their wicked ticket. if you're seeing a show at the pantages, def stop here to get some physical media for cheap! i was so happy to stop in, my first time at this location. they have all sorts of physical media from CDs and Vinyls to Movies and Books! i was soooo happy to grab mariah carey's rainbow vinyl for the special limited edition anniversary release! they had it here for a fair ~$60, along with my discount from my wicked ticket i was a happy camper! great selection, only item i wish they had in stock was a copy of moonlight on blu-ray! definitely stop in!

I'm going to this place for so many years and I have enjoyed every experience. The staff is always super friendly walking around very attentive. It seems like every staff members knows every type of artist and John or you can think of. Their selections are amazing. You can find so many rare vinyls and artists that you totally forgot about. And the pricing is very fair compared to website websites like Amazon. Main entrance is very visible from the street. You also got the Funko Museum across the street. As well as AFTERS ice cream. And just outside the door, the continuation of the Hollywood walk of fame with mostly rap artists. YOU ALSO HAVE A MUSICAL THEATER NEARBY AND IT'S JUST A REALLY PERFECT SPOT WHEN VISITING HOLLYWOOD. IF YOU HARDLY GO TO HOLLYWOOD, THIS IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING TO PUT ON YOUR BUCKET LIST.

Hip little record spot with an expansive music collection, as well as other trinket type things to further define yourself as unique and cool. You don't need all this stuff, you want it! Prime example, I didn't need monster tarot cards, but I got it anyway because how could I not? There's also a section filled with books in case reading is your thing. THE PARKING. Street parking or park in their garage off of Argyle St. They will validate for 75 minutes as long as you buy something. THE VERDICT. Bottom line, there's so much to rummage through and leaving without buying something is not an option.

This place was kinda incredible. Stumbled upon it to kill time before a show at the Pantages Theater. Had a blast browsing through all the CDs, videos, and merchandise. I got a cute air freshener for $2 instead o $7 with the theater discount. Service was very upbeat and friendly.

Amoeba Music is such a big music shop. It's so cool looking with all the movie and music posters on the walls. They have CDs and records for all the artists you can think of, even international ones. They also have merch, accessories, and random household items for certain popular artists, so it's a perfect place to find gifts for music lovers. The only thing is that the parking sucks, so you'll probably have to pay for parking around the area.

They had tons of fun vinyls from Miles Davis to Green Day to Kpop bands. The staff were super nice and I had a great time walking around the aisles exploring my new play list. I've compared the price of a few of them with the ones from Amazon and the pricing is pretty fair. Highly recommended for a fun date or vintage record hunting.

We must protect this place at all cost! I've been shopping at Amoeba for years, whether it would be the old location or a couple times at this new location. Not a lot of record stores in general and especially of this size. The selection is unmatched as you pretty much can find almost anything you are looking for here. The service here is always helpful. They run this place like a fine oiled machine. The prices here are reasonable and I really do enjoy looking at some of the more obscure sections. I found gems multiple times while looking within those areas here.

Great (new) location half a block off the red line hollywood and vine. HUGE store with every king of music you can think of. Good selection of band shirts. From hip hop to metal, they got it. They sell LOTS of merchandise, I purchased beatles coffee mugs and they were on $13 a pop. The service is friendly and provide quick checkout within minutes.

I was bummed when Amoeba moved but the new location is loud, colorful, and has a ton of energy. I'm a fan. Simply, if you are a fan of music, this is your holy place. They have tons of CDs, if you still use CDS, and they have tons of vinyl, too. They also have a million different t-shirts, posters, buttons, and lots of other trinkets. I don't know if it is possible to get out of here without spending at least an hour and at least $100. There are some real gems to find here if you spend the time. Parking is underneath and it is FREE with validation. So, no more whining about parking.

Every trip to @AmoebaHollywood is a highlight, but this one stood out in the best way. I found some amazing vinyl, CDs, and Blu-rays--standard Amoeba magic--but the real win was the kindness of the staff. Since I'm traveling, my card was declined and my phone was dead. Total rookie move not bringing a charger. I was about to give up when a voice behind the counter asked what kind of iPhone I had. Next thing I knew, Lisa (Amoeba staff magician!) was charging my phone in a secure area so I could get everything sorted. That small gesture turned my day around. I left with everything I came for--and a reminder that good people make all the difference. Thank you, Lisa, and thank you @AmoebaHollywood. Truly above and beyond.

At a store like this, you want to make sure that the vibe of what you're selling and representing seeps deeper than just the physical store itself. You want to make sure that the people who work there are also able to continue the flow of how cool of a place this is, and they do! All the employees are so cool and knowledgeable about the genres. It's refreshing to see. Like I said before, this place is really cool. It has a huge selection and honestly has probably everything that you're looking for (unless you're kinda niche, then probably 80%, which is still good). Everything is organized and easy to find. The prices are pretty decent as well. With places like this, you can definitely expect to pay more than you would if you were to look for every single thing online or at a flea market. I suppose that's what you're paying more for though; the convenience of it all. I would definitely check this place out if you're ever in LA. It's just one of those spots you have to see as a music lover.

Memories. I think the main appeal for this joint is nostalgia. Even for newer generations. They've probably had to listen to their parents' music for years. Now, they can see and feel from whence it came - pure, grooved vinyl. Being the age that I am, I grew up and matured during the best musical eras - 70s, 80s, 90s. Amoeba is filled with the sounds and sights of those times. Good selection of clothing, posters, obscure artists. Parking is pretty easy - enter the garage off Argyle and grab a ticket. When you enter, a camera records your license plate. With purchase, give Amoeba your plate number and you get 75 minutes free.

Dude, it's been a long time since I've been to Hollywood. We had tickets to see Wicked at the Pantages and, to my sweeet surprise, found Amoeba Music across the street. With some time to kill, we strolled through the aisles, browsed the records, and shopped for cool holiday gifts. Amoeba is a legit gem - I absolutely love this place. We almost missed our show because we went down a 1990s brit pop rabbit hole! There's an extensive collection of tunes, rare vintage merch and unique music themed gens to brighten any music lovers day. This place is such a sweet reminder to support your local record store!!!

An interesting store....music, movies, books and tons of collectibles. Something in there for everyone. Best of all...everything is reasonably priced given the currently digital media-dominant climate. Lots of metered street parking along the main road and side streets.

you'll definitely find something cool to buy here cause there's so much stuff! if you're visiting LA you should consider stopping by and get fun music souvenirs. spare some time because it will be a while before you feel ready to leave. everything is priced reasonably! i haven't ever met a rude staff here. (the older location will forever be missed!!!)

Went in looking for a particular album but according to the person I asked Amoeba would never put this album on their wall. Really? So asking about the Boston Album Walk On ( rare and expensive) it seems it doesn't rate and it wasn't in the record bin. But what stood out was the disdain of the Amoeba staff member ( mustache, unshaven, grubby looking, lacks any interpersonal skills) I asked, I've always said it's one thing to not like your job but it's another to show it, this guy what a loser and sad Amoeba doesn't feel that Boston is worthy. This guy really took the fun out of visiting your store

Love coming here! There is parking right behind building, 75 minute validation. Came looking for cd's and found what i was looking for. Also found beautiful coasters and plenty of LA postcards for tourist. Great customer service, helpful and knowledgable. Great prices

the costumer service they are a little bit rude, they are not much help when trying to look for specific things , and are dissmissive. They almost seem bothered when asked something and won't even look at you in the eyes.or they'll stare at you suspiciously. Please hire more nice employees not grumpy Middle Aged employees trying to look sixteen and punk.

HOW MUCH can you MAKE selling your CD's, DVD's, RECORDS & CASSETTES @Amoeba? TLDR ---Amoeba steals your music from you. They payout an anecdotal 2% to 3% of your media's resale value. I have not sold music stuff before. There was no waiting when I arrived, about an hour before closing. I had an extra large plastic bulk container - couldn't fit the lid on - of nearly new, and mostly unopened CDs, some DVDs and a rare collector's item 4 pack of 45's. They do not let you observe your belongings as they rifle through them. A pawnshop or resale clothing does this in front of you. It's asking you to trust them which as you read on is maybe not prudent. I stood in the store near the cashiers and talked to two guys who came in after me, who got $35 and $44 respectively. Guy #1 was for 8 DVD and 16 CD and two LPs. He had arrived with a paper shopping bag folded halfway with his stuff and I think they didn't take everything of his . So when my approximately 300+ CDs were perused and all but 11 wanted by the Amoeba buyer, I estimated an offer of at least $200 to $300. Most of the CDs I gave were new and unopened with some immensely popular albums. From the sidewalk outside and standing next to the Security desk I watched the buyer look at and open each item that was openable to check the back. They did put a small pile off to the side, which is different from where she put the ones they didn't want. I'm not sure if those ever made it back to me. Sometimes she conferred with other employees or looked them up on the computer. She finally called me over about 30 mins later and with my stacks neatly covering her entire desk, she looked me in the eye and offered $100 bucks. A big "No thank you Ma'am". When I put everything back into the plastic tub it was no longer spilling over like when I brought it, but I chalked it up to maybe being packed in better? They did not give a full item count. Back at home I hauled the super heavy bin inside and randomly took out 18 CDs and priced out each one on the internet. The cheapest was $.68 cents on eBay or Amazon and the most expensive was $28 for a music cd. The total (re)sale value for those 18 was $253.00. I had about 300 more items that the buyer had selected to keep for that $100 offer. They really take buyers for chumps there. I mean that's pretty appalling. $100 is a tiny fraction of what they're selling them for. They probably get bonuses for how much they screw the seller. That's pretty fudging rude in today's economy. If you ask me. TLDR ---Amoeba steals your music from you. They payout an anecdotal 2% to 3% of your media's resale value. Count the items before you go in. Look up the value of anything you think might be worthy. Jot that figure down (on a post-it) on the CD itself so when they offer you close to nothing you can renegotiate based on the value of the ones you looked up. At that point, maybe you'll get under 10% of the money they're gonna make off of your music.

First time here, huge selection of a much wider variety of music styles. I've been on a techno Cumbia kick lately and was able to find a few good records I hadn't seen at other record shops I've been to locally in OC. Staff was friendly and prices are reasonable. Be warned, there are no public bathrooms here.

Stepping into Amoeba Music is like going back in time. I'm a GenXer and grew up with record stores. Going with your friends to music stores to listen to music, purchasing tickets to concerts. We had to be selective with music because you had to purchase the whole album. So when we had a few minutes to spare before our show started we went to check out Amoeba. The smell of vinyl, the sounds (Eminem blasting), just being there was therapy for my soul. They still have artist come and perform here, I'm glad this store is still standing. I was going to buy a poster but didn't want to carry into venue. They have a Photo Booth you and a couple of your friends can entertain yourselves with I think it's $5. Overall just a good time at Amoeba.

If you're a music and movie lover, this is the place to go. They have a gigantic selection of everything. CDs,Vinyls,Cassettes, VHS, 4k and blu ray movies. Even books. The staff is always helpful and knowledgeable and the prices are great. I come here at least twice a month.

All the workers are incredibly friendly and can point you to the right spot most of the time. There's a great variety of movies TV shows vinyls all sorts of things. There's also a bunch of separate sections where they have vinyls DVD CDs on a bunch of discounts. You'll even see movies go for 10 bucks that aren't even in the discount areas. It's a great place to explore or find stuff to add to collections. They even have a magazine and book area. Only real downside is is that when it's packed it's a bit hard to navigate through, but not the worst. And i've been quite often throughout the years and I think it's packed one every six times down there so it's not a constant thing.

I love Amoeba-always have. Their selection is great, the prices are reasonable and their staff is always fun and helpful. Gone is the arrogance of some record stores. Here is a truly eclectic space, with great in store events, and they create an amazing community. I'm so grateful that Amoeba exists and that I live near one.

The mother load, the goldmine, the Costco of vinyl and all things music. Multiple lands of genres far and wide. There's also an upstairs area of books for those searching for an intriguing read. Several parking garages and lots located nearby. Security at the entrance to check bags in. Service is always awesome great vibes and great selections to build your vinyl collection.

Still on of the best record stores in the world.....but... After the location change, it's just not the same. It seems they have much less variety, especially in certain areas (remember the second floor with all the movies and the huge jazz room?). It's also super congested and hard to navigate the small aisles. Still a great store, the smaller space is bringing them down to a 4/5 instead of the old location's 5/5.

A large haven for music lovers! So much to find that it can be pretty overwhelming but there are many of the staff walking around ready to help anyone in need of it. The floor is also sectioned and arranged very well that it's easy to navigate and find what you're looking for if you're looking for something specific. It's also great if you're just walking around to find whatever you find and with the trading options, there are new items everyday for buyers. The merch is also cute; the Amoeba pins are a must. All of the products from new to used that I found and bought were in great condition and were priced fairly so it's hard to walk out without some kind of purchase. The only negative I can think of is that there is no restrooms for customers; I just figured for such a large store, there'd be one.

The gold standard for all things physical media. Curated and categorized, you can pleasantly while away your day and leave with a bagful of items. Occasional performances too. And the staff knows their stuff.

The staff is awesome. They have many checkout personnel. The prices are fair. Parking is free with a purchase. Don't forget your license plate identification. The decor is awesome. They have lots of rarities and collectibles. Thousands of vinyls and CD's.

Love this place! It is the best for all kinds of music and has the best deals! Plus movies, posters, souvenirs, etc! Service is excellent! Always happy to ring you up and help you out with any thing! Can't wait to visit again next week when I visit Cali!

There is no other place in LA that can compare to the selection available at Amoeba. They pay fair prices for used records as well. A top notch organization and the first place to look for hard to find items.

This place is SO COOL! Huuuuuuuge store with a lot of cool items! Have wanted to check this place out for a while. It's a little overwhelming but it's definitely worth it! Vinyl, CDs, Blu-Ray, cassettes. There's probably even 8-tracks but I didn't see any because I wasn't looking. Bought a couple albums with my daughter as well as a Beatles shirt. All the employees were super friendly and helpful. The line to check out was long but moved quickly. I want to come back for one of their events sometime! But I think we will make it a tradition to check this place out every time we are down here!

Heavey record store in LA, updated trends and music lovin it soo much!!! Will definitely return indefinitely

F*%k these pretentious douchbags. I called to see if they buy DVDs, they said the do. I drove for 1 hour with 2 huge boxes of DVDs, after I bring them in, they tell me they are only interested in "selected" titles that are "cool". He takes an hour to go through the boxes and then picks like 30 titles and says he wants to give me $114 I store credit. GET THE F*%K OUT OF HERE!!!!!

A fun place to browse. I unfortunately did not find what I was looking for because they seem to have a lot more Blu-ray than DVD but I would highly recommend this place if you're looking for a DVD used or even a music CD.

The old Amoeba Music was an iconic experience -- quirky, funky, a bit grungy, and a lot of character. It captured the L.A., and it was a must-visit for tourists and locals a lot. The new Amoeba building has lost that Charmin grassroots aesthetic. It's been cleaned up and somewhat sterilized. In that sense, the new Amoeba setup fits the new gentrifying Los Angeles. Oh well, everything changes eventually. The selection here is still really fun to browse. And parking has been greatly upgraded. The old Amoeba parking lot was a risky descent, every time. My friend and I had fun listening to the records I bought him as a housewarming gift.

I've been here twice, it's awesome!!! They have Vinyls, T Shirts, CD's, Films, Music and Etc. It's so cool, I love how they have their book section organized. The film posters on the wall are a nice touch.

This is a very big record shop and has almost any vinyl record you can possibly want. There is also CDs and Books on the 2nd level. The information booth was informative. We found some great finds for cheap with entire album including the inserts that came with the records years ago! That was a nice surprise! Only thing is there is NO public restroom which makes no sense if one is shopping there!

If you like music and I mean any kind of music, Amoeba is the perfect place for you. They have the largest selection of musical genres from classic to Jazz, to country music to Latin music to dance music to vocal to rock to world music and more. I found CDs for Beethoven,  Bach, Tchaikovsky and that was amazing. They also have a huge selection of movies and Vinyl, for examples; legendary movies, classic movies , modern famous movies and Harry Potter movies, you can find many classic and modern TV series from Honeymoon to Matlock to Friends to ER to Simpsons series, to mention a few.They also have a wonderful selection of  Funko pop, games, puzzles, souvenirs and decent varieties of books. I found snail Lisa Simpsons which was cool. They have very valuable collectible items either for musical or posters. I could spend hours and hours in this fabulous place. The employees are very helpful and friendly. There is a parking structure which they  validate with purchase. This place is a must go

I've always wanted to visit Amoeba and I finally was able to! I spent about 3 hours browsing the store lol. It was worth it! I found a lot of records I wasn't able to find anywhere else, and was pleasantly surprised to find so many posters, books, and overall merch throughout the entire store! Nearly every single staff person would say hi or asked if I needed anything and it felt like a very happy place. Definitely an LA must!

Hate the atmosphere here. The original location had such hard concrete floors that it was uncomfortable to walk on. After selling out and moving, you would expect them to upgrade the floors, but they didn't. Additionally, everything is overpriced, and they don't accept American Express. They will totally crack your CD case without batting an eye, which is annoying.

I wish that there were more record stores in today's age of digital technology. There is just something so nostalgic and wholesome about having physical CDs, vinyls, and DVDs. I went here with my partner this past weekend, and I have to say that I was impressed with how much music and media Amoeba had in stock. In addition, their categorization of music is very wide. From mainstream pop to experimental to underground, no wonder there are many customers who frequent Amoeba. The store also sells movies, merch, books, and more. It kind of reminds me of Barnes & Noble's rebellious cousin. So, for all you music and pop culture fans, make a stop at Amoeba when you get a chance. You won't be disappointed!

I'm always coming here once a week because they have a lot of albums I look for! Best place for heavy metal CD's and great deals; employees are laid back One of the best music store there is and highly recommend coming here.