Minneapolis punches way above its weight class musically. The city that gave the world Prince, Bob Dylan, The Replacements, Husker Du, and Soul Asylum has a music store scene that reflects that outsized creative output. Electric Fetus — one of the great American independent record stores — has been a Minneapolis institution since 1968, outlasting every challenge the music industry has thrown at it.
The Minneapolis music store scene benefits from a city that genuinely invests in its arts community. Groth Music in Bloomington is one of the most comprehensive instrument dealers in the Midwest. Fifth Element, the flagship store of Rhymesayers Entertainment, is a destination for hip-hop fans and record collectors from across the country.
Minnesota winters create a particular kind of musician — one who practices intensely, supports local venues, and builds a musical community that sustains itself through the cold months. The city's music stores are part of that infrastructure, providing the instruments, repairs, and community that keep Minneapolis musicians playing.
Not just listings — the history, the legacy, and why musicians love these places.
Electric Fetus is one of the great American independent record stores — a Minneapolis institution since 1968 that has survived every disruption the music industry has faced by remaining genuinely essential to its community. The store carries an extraordinary selection of new and used vinyl, CDs, and music-adjacent merchandise spanning every genre.
Prince was a regular customer. Bob Dylan grew up in the region. The Replacements formed a few miles away. Electric Fetus has served the musical community that produced all of them, and it continues to serve Minneapolis musicians, music lovers, and record collectors with the same passion that has defined it for over 55 years.
Shopping at Electric Fetus is one of the great independent record store experiences in America. The staff knowledge is exceptional, the selection is remarkable, and the store's role in Minneapolis musical culture is irreplaceable. If you're visiting Minneapolis and you love music, this is the first stop.
Groth Music in Bloomington has built a reputation as one of the most comprehensive independent music stores in the Midwest. The store carries an extraordinary range of instruments across every category — guitars, basses, drums, keyboards, band and orchestra instruments, DJ gear, and recording equipment — alongside a serious repair operation and active music school.
What sets Groth apart from a typical full-service store is the depth of inventory within each category. This isn't a shop where guitars are an afterthought while drums get the prime floor space. Every instrument category is taken seriously, staffed by specialists, and stocked with real depth.
For Minneapolis and Twin Cities musicians who want a genuine alternative to the big-box chains, Groth Music is the answer — a shop with the selection and expertise of a specialist combined with the breadth of a full-service store.
Our hand-picked selection of the best music stores in Minneapolis — chosen for quality, reputation, and community impact.
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The best music stores in Minneapolis by neighborhood — plan your trip to hit multiple shops in one day.
Every music store listed in Minneapolis — use the filters above to narrow by type.
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