Waterloo Records & Video

Parker McCollum's Hometown Guide to Austin and Houston, Texas

"I used to go in there when I had no money when I first moved to Austin. I would save up my money to go in there and try to buy records. I bought 'Bright Lights Big City' by Gary Clark Jr., 'Continuum' by John Mayer, and 'Goodbye Normal Street' by Turnpike Troubadours. It's an old school record store that kind of seems like you walk back in time when you walk down the aisles. It's fun to go in there and there's no telling what kind of record you may stumble upon on the shelves. I've gotten to perform there before and it's one of the coolest and oldest spots in Austin that I think that still represents what Austin was for so long." - Michael He

"In this modern age of Spotify, iTunes, and Pandora, record stores often seem sad and bitter places. Not so Waterloo, where music lovers—both staff and customers—celebrate the art. Bands playing Austin come in for in-store performances and signings, and you may recognize a few famous faces browsing the new and vintage vinyl and CD sections. As expected at a record store, the staff have big opinions but are friendly, and can help you navigate the 6,400-square-foot space. A highly recommended, if dangerous (prices are very reasonable but the desired objects are many), shopping stop."

"In this modern age of Spotify, iTunes, and Pandora, record stores often seem sad and bitter places. Not so Waterloo, where music lovers—both staff and customers—celebrate the art. Bands playing Austin come in for in-store performances and signings, and you may recognize a few famous faces browsing the new and vintage vinyl and CD sections. As expected at a record store, the staff have big opinions but are friendly, and can help you navigate the 6,400-square-foot space. A highly recommended, if dangerous (prices are very reasonable but the desired objects are many), shopping stop."

"In this modern age of Spotify, iTunes, and Pandora, record stores often seem sad and bitter places. Not so Waterloo, where music lovers—both staff and customers—celebrate the art. Bands playing Austin come in for in-store performances and signings, and you may recognize a few famous faces browsing the new and vintage vinyl and CD sections. As expected at a record store, the staff have big opinions but are friendly, and can help you navigate the 6,400-square-foot space. A highly recommended, if dangerous (prices are very reasonable but the desired objects are many), shopping stop."

Austin’s iconic record shop hosts free, all-ages in-store sets that keep the city’s music heartbeat public. Covered recently by the Austin American-Statesman and Houston Chronicle, Waterloo’s expanded 2025 space doubles down on community performances.