The shop
Rough Trade East opened in 2007 in the Old Truman Brewery just off Brick Lane and remains one of London's best record shops. The 5,000 sq ft space carries vinyl and CDs across every genre, with real depth in alternative, indie and electronic, plus music books and magazines. Staff recommendations are worth taking seriously, and the racks are laid out for browsing rather than quick shopping.
Live shows
The shop has a proper stage and a 200-capacity licence, and puts on in-store gigs and signings most days of the week, many of them free with an album purchase. Queens of the Stone Age, Blur, Charli XCX and Little Simz have all played here. A café and bar share the same room, so it works as somewhere to sit for an hour as much as somewhere to shop.
