Black Gold Records

The coffee and tea are remarkable, as well as impeccable service. Even though God knows I do not need any more records, sometimes I see something that I just really want! Also, [just recently] shaved head dude is probably one of the best dudes to ever do it, along w every person that may be working here. (Idk what in the world some other reviewer on here was thinking trying to dunk on a small business that has been serving the neighborhood for at least the decade I’ve been working on the block)

Great quality coffee with courteous service and friendly staff always. Feels like a place, everyone is welcome and to chill. Dogs are welcome too greeting with a treat. Charming outdoor setup with social distancing compliance during reopening. I have also bought the beautifully made bag by one of the staff (see photos). 10% off any record purchasing if you bring the bag along to carry the records.

Love it! Vinyl and coffee at 8am on the weekend? Hell yeah! Small but good quality selection of 2nd hand, albums, 12"s, 7"s

Been meaning to check this place out for a while… Chill small record shop, the cold brew isn’t the greatest but at least they have it! Grabbed a Led Zeppelin record…

4.5 Little hipster, retro shop with a mix off coffee shop vibes. Earl Grey was some of the best I've had locally, coffee is a shop blend and good. Bit stingy with the milk and what not bit the baked goods make you over look

good store but the employee (shaved head) is super sceney and had a bad attitude across multiple people the entire time i was there

Definitely among the coolest coffeehouses I’ve experienced in Brooklyn. A crackling phonograph Lightening Hopkins blues record entranced me while I sipped a New Orleans iced almond milk latte with simple syrup. Music fanatics who have a flare for the eclectic and coffee make your way to Black Gold and peruse through generations of music on vinyl from all genres.

Simple, yet awesome. Grab a pour over coffee and get lost in their record collection.

Came here to get a house warming gift for a friend who recently got a turntable. Guy running the store was able to provide a good recommendation based on the genre I was looking for. Wound up being a really cool record! Will be coming back for sure for both records and coffee.

Before even entering, it seemed to me that I'd be almost fated to love a spot featuring two of nature's finest and most beloved products--coffee and vinyl. And ,well...that would be completely accurate. I mean, when the selection of each is so wonderful, and in a cozy and quaint spot such as this...sheer perfection. Fine spot to while away an hour or so perusing records while also getting caffeinated with their fine pour over coffee or espresso products. The pandemic even led to a small but nice outdoor seating area to supplement the 2-3 window stools if you simply want to sit and enjoy some fine brew.

Come for the records, stay for the coffee. Or maybe for the taxidermy. I don't have a record player, but I am a fan of coffee and stuffed animals. The cold brew is very good. They ran out of the New Orleans cold brew by the time I got there, so I didn't get a chance to compare it vs. Blue Bottle. Maybe next time!

Came in because I saw a sign that said "New Orleans Brew" and was instantly interested, I follow chicory coffee anywhere. The barista was very friendly and while I'm not into vinyl I loved pursuing while I waited. They have a taxidermy/vaudeville vibe in there that I always think is fun, definitely worth coming out of your way for, coffee was delicious!

This is a very interesting concept, sell Coffee and Vinyl records. Two forms of black gold...I guess. I don't drink coffee, but I have a small stash of vinyl records. I traveled via the F train to find Black Gold on a very hot day. The biz is small but has a nice variety of used Lp's. I was very happy to find Steely Dan's Greatest hits album in mint condition. I found a few other interesting discs but left them for another day. The local's tell me that their Coffee is fantastic, but I'll never know.

Absolutely delicious coffee AND a thoughtfully curated vinyl selection - how can you not love Black Gold? If you and/or your loved ones are coffee lovers and you want to enjoy their delectable caffeine at home, their whole bean bags are a must and make for a great stocking stuffer for the holidays. As an avid black coffee drinker who has traveled and tried coffee from all over the world, I highly recommend their whole bean coffee bags for your home desires. Their coffee beans glisten with their natural oils, and the coffee itself is medium bodied with a nutty finish. A nice hand written note from one of the co-owners that came with our coffee bean bags delivery was a thoughtful touch. Definitely a MUST if you're a coffee lover and/or a vinyl enthusiast.

I've spent a lot of time in this place and bought a ton of vinyl here. I have one major issue- their stickers on the album covers do not come off (I've trashed 2 records already truing to get these ugly things off). This is a cheap amateur mistake. They used the cheapest stickers to put their price on the cover- extremely irritating. Should you ever intend to sell or trade any of these records you are going to have to mark down the price so none will be VG+, and definitely not VG++. Stick to their coffee, there are way better record stores out there. 2 stars for the coffee.

Excellent coffee! Great flavor. Especially for iced coffee/Cold Brew. Also, a really fun store to spend some time in and look around.

My son is a Vinyl record hunter hunter! Wherever we go, he's checking his phone to find record stores. Black Gold records was an interesting find. I parked close to Black Gold Records so after lunch the hunt is on. What's more interesting, they're serving a damn good $3 pour over coffee?! When we walked in, he saw records and I saw the Chemex pots. What makes a Chemex pour over special is the science. Science I said! Instead of pouring all the water onto the grounds as you would with a press pot, you pour enough water just to saturate the beans. Wetting the grounds allows them to "bloom." Most importantly, waiting 20-40 seconds allows the trapped carbon dioxide to escape from the grounds. The end result, the grounds become heavier and they cling to the bottom of the filter. Most auto-drip machines don't have the cling step so the grounds inside drip filters float and thereby do not get maximum flavor extraction. On the records side? My son said they were too expensive and not a wide variety. He did buy a funny tee shirt and my cuppa coffee was dynamite! Rock on Black Gold Records. Rock on.

Great, unique coffee & vinyl store. I just love the way this store is arranged. While you drink great coffee, you can shop for 45's & LP's. Great selection of records...amazing how an album cover can bring you back in time with a full memory of the day when you first held it in your hand and read the back cover with such intent. This is what this coffee shop did for me and it was magical. Great customer service, great location, and great memories.

I can see the appeal and the reason why a lot of love Black Gold Records. Little touches are nice. Most everything I've tried until now have been really good. Team is incredibly friendly and will help you with anything. Definitely a great find for us.

I love Black Gold! Kind owners, great selection of records and reasonably priced! The interior is lovely and feels welcoming. Coffee is absolutely amazing (my boyfriend and I have it every morning) and I suggest ordering the beans to make at home! Support small businesses & enjoy Black Gold!

Cute, off-beat shop that makes a good cup of coffee. Stopped in on my way to IKEA today and found this little gem. The place is half coffee shop and half used vinyl record store. On the surface it might be easy to assume that the concept is somewhat gimmicky, but I was really glad that it wasn't. You can tell that the owner is definitely passionate about both their coffee and their music. Ordered an iced coffee which was one of the best I have had in a while. Looks like they brew Rook Coffee which is a roaster from New Jersey. Took some time perusing their shelves, and for the small space, they have a pretty impressive collection. It's just not just a repository for used records, but you can tell they've put thought into curating the content. The decor is interesting/eclectic, with antiques and random taxidermy lining the walls. There's nowhere to sit given the small space, but there is a counter along the window you can set down your drink if need be. Super cool shop that I'd highly recommend for grabbing a drink, perusing used records, or both!

Very cute record shop - coffee, cookies, and records all in one. A great and eclectic collection of music, too - we were super excited by our finds.

Sweet sweet spot to grab coffee. If you've never been inside the MA museum it's time you came by. A few months ago they dropped a coffee shop down in the middle of it, and what a cool spot for one. Big open space, large tables festooned with plants & terrariums. And the walls are lined with great posters of freak shows & what not. Even a hamster wheel with taxidermy rats. Wow! Rook coffee is the roaster & I tried the cold brew which was as you can imagine delicious. After that I sat down in front of the pussy willows & got down to my day's activities ...

First and foremost the best customer service ever I came here a few occasions to try Their scones and pasteries. They was delish and lovely. This place have vintage records and nice paintings and antique. Soo many varieties to explore. But of you ever come to Carroll gardens Brooklyn try the pour over coffee. It is soo delish and have that true coffee taste. Not to overpowering and not watered down. Just balance. Jeff is also caring and when I complain that one of my friends muffins was dry. He took into great consideration and put customer service first which is an important aspect in business. Well done. Also he is very informative when it come to the products. As for price. It's reasonable for a cup of coffee it cost $2.75. which I believe is so reasonable So here is the verdict Customer service. A+++ Food and coffee A++ And overall experience has no grade to it. It's just overwhelming awesome.

Came for the cold brew stayed for the records. A neighborhood favorite and morning ritual. Joyful.

I don't know what's up with this place but I called them a couple of months ago offering to sell an eclectic collection of nearly 600 vinyl records I'd recently acquired when a friend's spouse died. I spoke to a guy named Jeff, who sounded pleasant enough and expressed an interest in coming to my house in Queens to see the collection when he could find a minute. He promised to get back to me the following week. That never happened. I subsequently called Jeff around 7-8 times only to find he was never in when I called or was on another line. I always left a message but Jeff never called back, not even a courtesy call to say he was no longer interested in the collection or to apologize for not having gotten back to me. If this is the kind of service Black Gold provides, I'd have no confidence in dealing with them under any circumstances. However satisfactory the store may be for vinyl customers, my experience with them has been so frustrating I feel compelled to give them no more than a single star for how they (or Jeff, at any rate) treat prospective sellers.

All the stars. An institution on Court in the best way possible. Wedged between all things Franks, Black Gold brings all the quality!

What a concept!! Did these folks crawl into my brain and come back out with dead birds and brew or what? I love taxidermy. I love coffee. Black Gold has all this and more (Records! A huge rusted mallet! A Victorian calendar! Etc!) The slightly disheveled but still charming stuffed peacock, fierce owl and shadow boxes with tiny finches are among my favorites on the shelves. It's the kind of place that seems small but there's a hell of a lot of goodies crammed in there. This is the best coffee shop in the world. End of story.

Cute and fun, but not good for hanging out. I needed to kill some time before an appointment, and I thought I'd stop in for coffee because this place looked interesting. The barista was nice, very friendly and helpful to the older woman who was in line ahead of me, as well as myself. The cold brew I got was very good, usually I like my coffee diluted with cream and sugar, but this barely needed any. There is hardly any seating though, just a couple barstools, and it's almost silent, if there was music playing it was so faint I couldn't hear it. Thank goodness it was a nice day so I took the coffee a few blocks to a park, but still not great in that regard. I gave it four stars though because I do understand it's also a vinyl/antiques store so I don't expect them to have a ton of seats, and the cold brew was delicious!

I love coffee. But what's cooler than just another coffee shop, is a coffee shop that's also a record and antique store. Well, that would be Black Gold Records in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.  Housing vinyls of different genres, you can come and dig through crates to find a record (they're a dying breed), or, check out some of their less than average antiques like taxidermy or a torso statue of organs. Whether you're into all that other stuff or not, there's also coffee. And good coffee at that. They also have a selection of delicious treats, like cookies from The Good Batch. I got their own Black Gold Cold Brew. Refreshing and with a great, rich flavor, this cup was just what I needed.

Best cold brew, staff and vibe for coffee in Carroll gardens. My pup and I love starting our day there.

They keep it simple and know their l craft. Nice staff always good coffee. Fun records. Good vibe with a couple of seats outside.

I'm a regular this unique gem just around the corner from my place because of the lovely and warm people who work here, the charming neighborhood feel, and the freshly brewed hot coffee that they make upon order. My only frustration with Black Gold (and Le Petit, and an host of other cafes in NYC) is that they don't take credit cards for any order under $10. Dear wonderful owners. Please consider: a) There are many of us who no longer cash on us BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE REQUIRES IT ANYWHERE ELSE IN AMERICA. Whew. I feel better. b) Due to this, there are many days that I would prefer to come have my coffee with you, but instead I walk to Milk Bar simply because they will take cards for coffee. In other words, you're losing about 80 percent of my business on these "grounds" alone. And I know that I'm not alone. There is no way that a debit card fee is worth that kind of loss of business to you. c) If you are worried about the fee - just tell me. I'll add it to the tip. Granted, when I was in the store without cash, your employee graciously gave me a coffee, and I paid it back the next day. That was great service that recognizes loyalty. But she can't do that every day -- so please change your policies. Regardless, it's a wonderful spot, and I'll come around soon -- when I have cash. :)

Though its a bit far for me, whenever I'm in the neighborhood I always try to stop by. The place is a bit small but they have a good selection of records, all neatly organized. Good prices and in good condition too. But one thing I really like about this store though it may not important to some, is a counter I can put my drink on and not worry about some hobo taking a sip when I'm not looking. On top of that, friendly staff and good coffee which I always get right before I start digging.

First, good that the moron with the credit card still gave 5 stars, because he is a dope. The reasons small businesses have credit card minimums is because of the fees involved, so they are actually losing their profit margin if they allow credit cards for buying a coffee. Duh. And funny thing about 2017, most people still keep cash in their wallets (or iPhone cases)--the government even still mints those nearly worthless little copper coins. Okay, great little record shop and great coffee, too--not much record browsing in this area, so great to have around.

This place is GOLD like in the name. Curiosities, antiques, records and good coffee? Sign me up for one of these to be on every street corner in America. We will be back!

What can I say? I love this place! I stumbled across this place while getting lost in Brooklyn one time not knowing where I was. Then later that year I found this place again as I was yelping for a good coffee/record shop. This place surely does not disappoint. I got a great black coffee because that's what the owner told me they were really known for and a vegan chocolate banana muffin. I sat in there for almost 2 hours waiting for my train which the place is kind of small and would feel awkward if the person working was rude. But thankfully the person working was the owner which is a woman who is just an all around awesome person! She recommended to local places. I also bought Unfun by Jawbreaker (NYC based band). I would highly recommend this place if you're looking for a good coffee, vegan treat, antique item or good record!

Somehow this place balances hipster cliche and utility, all without an upturned nose. Purveyors in other Brooklyn hamlets (ahem, Williamsburg . . . ) should take note. You'll find the usge: taxidermy, medical supplies, ephemera. But you get to browse with a great coffee in one hand, while the other flips through carefully curated records, old and new(er).

I am so happy to have this place right around the corner from me! The employees are always very friendly and the coffee is fantastic. I can only drink decaf, and other places in the neighborhood only have decaf available as a $5 latte, which is kind of annoying. At Black Gold I can get my plain ol' decaf coffee with milk (and they always pour in just the right amount. It's like magic!) Also, they have an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie that is bangin'. Black Gold is really the best.

I really like this place! Diverse selection of used vinyl that gets replenished often and is well curated - no crappy dollar-bin records here - I almost always find a gem or two. Unpretentious staff. Prices are fair. Good coffee. Only minor gripe is that they don't sort by category, so you usually have to do some digging - I'm generally happy to do that, but sometimes I just don't have the time and end up leaving empty handed.

Coffee, records and taxidermy, all in one spot? It's like a beautiful little dream, heaven with better music, a warming caffeine bump and a friendly (and, it must said, lovely) woman named Summer presiding. Time stands still as you flip through the stacks and another LP finishes on the turntable with that warm vinyl crackle 'n' pop and holy smokes! Is it really four o'clock? When I die, someone please stuff me (with a smile on my face) and mount me over the doorway. It's almost too good to be true -- sometimes I step out onto Court Street and turn around for a last look, half expecting to discover that Black Gold is gone, replaced by yet another soul-crushing nail salon. New York can do that to you; the old Halcyon's a garish smoothie joint now. Sigh. Live long and prosper, Black Gold.

Carroll Gardens has always been one of those neighborhoods that has it all on the surface but always seemed to be missing a few key ingredients to make it a solid destination. Black Gold effortlessly filled in two voids with one sweep of the shovel by establishing a top notch record store and coffee shop all in one. The quality control of the vinyl selection is superb. No crappy dollar bin filler, just excellent titles priced fair to keep to stock flowing. All genres of music but an emphasis on punk, garage or things left of the weird. I always mean to just grab one record but walk out with more than ten, given Einstein's law of "some records are too good to pass up." I have to come clean, I am a 'nose in the air' snob about coffee. I used to not care but over the years it takes a lot to blow my hair back when it comes to bean slingin' and Black Gold dripped out a delicious cup of brew. One sip and I had to ask where on heaven's creation did they get their beans from. Some unknown local roaster out of NJ cooking up their beans and using a custom made hand-drip set up that I have never seen elsewhere before creates the best cup of alchemical coffee I've had in some time. If you happen to decorate your abode in curio oddities, deformed jackalopes and pitted antiques.....guess what, they have that too (and for about 20% cheaper then you'd scalp them on eBay) Both owners are how every business proprietor should be...friendly, energetic, forward thinking and productive. Every time I stop in I end up in a great conversation with either one of them, always exuding a sense that they genuinely love what they do and always looking for ways to improve.

Summer stole my heart with her funky hair, spunky personality, and love for the coffee she serves. I needed a coffee bad and their side walk sign is what lured me in. Coffee shop, record store, antique knickknacks, vegan sweet treats. This little shop is a true neighborhood gem. They serve Rook Coffee. Never had heard of it before this visit. Turns out its a local company from New Jersey. Summer gave me the scoop on then and I became an immediate fan. She poured me a pour over of their house blend roasted specifically for them. It was a perfect cup of coffee as is. Their spiced hot chocolate was also a treat on a cold day. Not the kind of coffee shop to waste hours at but the perfect pit stop for a delightful pick-me-up.

Basically exactly what you would expect: Vinyl (limited selection because it's a small place, but still good stuff) and very nice coffee. Good spot!

I'm so glad to not have to trek back out to Williamsburg anymore to search for records! I've struck Black Gold! Yeah. I said that. The store's aesthetic is just plain awesome, and Inside you'll find carefully selected pre-owned (and new) vinyl at reasonable to moderate prices. That AND there's coffee & friendly faces behind the counter. Can't wait to go back!

I went in to look at records and get coffee. Had a nice vibe but the they no longer serve espresso drinks? They should have that written somewhere because I saw photos with espresso machines. Anyhow, I ordered cold brew since that was pretty much the only option available and the lady pours water in my coldbrew... ummm for $4 dollars. If you're looking for a real coffee, this place aint it.

I know we've all thought about the girl or guy of our dreams, but let me tell you, Black Gold is the coffee shop of mine. How I JUST went in here I will never know, but now that I have, I can guarantee that I will never stop. Not only is the coffee great (GREAT), but they also sell records (RECORDS!). In a sad day & age where record shops are (not so) slowly dying, nothing makes me happier than to enter a warm, gorgeously decorated room full of records. The fact that you can order a coffee or munch on something pretty & baked here is just a bonus. The employees are super nice (and one, sailboat sweatered!), and it's the kind of place you want to go spend hours, leafing through records, and sipping on coffee. Even though I can tell they're going to get a pretty penny from me, I feel like I've just struck gold!

Check their new arrival bin on Mondays, and you won't be disappointed. Their buyers have good taste. They also have a lot of 45's, if you have the time to dig. And they have coffee, too.

I frequent the store regularly as I live in the neighborhood. First and foremost, the owners couldn't be friendlier. Always amiable and engaging to each and every customer. Secondly, the records are always in great condition, reasonably priced and rotated regularly... so you very rarely are looking at the same stash. Always a major plus. Always allow me to play the stuff I'm interested in, which is really appreciated. Not to mention the coffee smells great and the antiques are AMAZING. Truly a pleasure to visit every time I go. -Brian

This shop is one of the highlights of Carroll Gardens. Coffee + used and new records, nice staff and a good vibe. They buy and sell records too. There aren't any other decent record stores in the Carroll Gardens/Park Slope area. Keep drinking coffee and buying records here, so no one has to drag themselves to Manhattan for records ever again!

This is the best place to get coffee in Carroll Gardens, it is made to order and so good!!!!

More a 3.5 stars. Super cute place, nostalgic in its decor, tiny size and record collection. Very friendly staff. It makes you feel warm and welcome the moment you choose to go in. And when you do enter, it smells of delicious coffee from Rook, a New Jersey roaster. Where we were left disappointed was in the coffee in our cups. There is no espresso, only pour-overs, which is perfectly fine with me. When our hostess made it however, she poured all the water in at once and we got watery coffee. Generally, I'd say if you're nearby, drop in. If you want a coffee, too, observe the way they make someone else's first.

Not sure why I like this place so much. I guess I like the eclectic objects for sale, and the funky gal behind the counter is so sweet. They make perfect coffee, and they offer a frequent customers card, to get 8 or so coffees, and a ninth free, or something like that. I always lose the card, and so I tell them that and they make me a new one with like 4 coffees to go. They are very nice people. I'm not all that into records, but they have a great collection of seemingly rare and unusual records for sale. The artwork catches my attention, but I don't go through the stuff. Its a very pleasant place, and I hope to see them somehow expand a little, because they have a great vibe.

Two of my favorite things are coffee and collecting records, and going here satiates both of these needs and/or wants. I always end up spending over an hour in here just flipping through all the new arrivals in the record bins and then rewarding myself with a big cup of coffee. I highly suggest stopping here for an actual cup of coffee and not drinking some diluted charbucks nonsense. Support your local businesses.

So, I was in Stockholm, Sweden this week for work and had a minute to walk the city for fun. Wandered into a record shop there and as I was thumbing through the vinyl they were playing some great stuff. I asked the cashier what it was and he showed me the CD, which was for sale (sounded like a Daptone production, and sure enough: Menahan Street Band). My point in telling this story is that the last three times I've been into Black Gold, which is a great little shop, whoever works there has been playing some great music in the store...which is not for sale. "Sorry, no, this is my record. It's not for sale." Guys, this is record store 101 stuff. Especially for a shop that doesn't have a dedicated listening station. If you're going to play music in there, it should be a) good and b) for sale. You sell more records that way. Ask the folks at Groove Merchant in SF, Turntable Lab in the East Village, Deadly Dragon in Chinatown...anyone. Other than that minor note I had to get off my chest (and yes, I did tell give this advice to the person working the counter last time I was in there), good little shop with a good selection of stuff and plenty for a decent price. Some a little spendy, but hey, not much in this neighborhood at least gives you at least a chance to get a deal. Keep playing the great tunes and doing your thing. Just stop playing your personal records that aren't for sale. Thatz Not Okay.

Hipster place different ambiance of a typical coffee shop. It's nice. Lots of abstract decor. We strolled into this place by coincidence. I don't believe there is a seating area.. It's ok they have interesting things to look at and keep busy if you want to stay here with your coffee. Coffee - good coffee I had a Costa Rica pour over. It was good. I'm awful to distinguish good coffee. This was good. It wasn't super strong.

I don't think there was anything particularly wrong with this place but it wasn't a fantastic stop on ours day journey either. No new release vinyls, but it did look like there were plenty of good options that were reasonably priced. The newer stock were separated from the rest and were not organized alphabetically but everything else vinyl in the shop seemed well organized. The whole place was much smaller then expected and the big negative for me was that for such a small shop and 25 degree weather I found it puzzling the barista had the door propped wide open which didn't make me feel comfortable to stay and enjoy some coffee/tea. The barista gave us a nice welcoming hello when we first came in but didn't hear another peep from her for the next 10 mins we spent in the store. I think this place has great potential but right now the record store part and the coffee shop part just seem to clash since there isn't enough room for either one.

Friendly barista who makes excellent recommendations. The Black Caraway Seed shortbread is one of the best things to ever make contact with my tongue. Comfy stools looking onto the street. Blissful memory