Reckless Records

Great fun browsing, love that they have a mix of old and new/​rereleased vinyl!

Great selection of used and new vinyl– I’ve filled quite a few gaps here and at a very reasonable price. Staff were friendly and helpful too.

Couldn’t knock Reckless if I tried.
It’s been around forever, the selection is excellent, the prices are solid and it’s just weird enough… You won’t leave empty handed
If you’re still into VHS definitely make sure to pay reckless a visit. It’s truly a gem in that sense.
Carve out some time if you wanna stop by here, there is definitely some digging to be done.
The selection of both new and used vinyl is extensive and from my experience one is not necessarily better than the other.
Although the other location isn’t necessarily close by, if you don’t find what you are looking for at this one you should check out the other reckless. IMHO, just as good.
Parking can be a hassle in the area. You’ve been warned.
Also, this is a great place to sell back both vinyl and CDs.

Found some Springsteen bootlegs at a reasonable price, that I’m rescuing from the Midwest and bringing back to Jersey.
Interesting system of keeping records in the back and just the sleeves up front. Can’t say that it bothers me. Great that they have such a comprehensive system.
I don’t know how it compares to the other locations, but it’s a nice place to pop in and check out the selection.

I have loved this store for a while, but haven’t been coming as much since I moved to Edgewater. I attended the CHVRCHES signing today and could not have been more impressed. It was well run and the staff were very friendly. Great job to everyone at Reckless for making what was already a phenomenal experience even better. I promise I will be back soon.

When I recently revisited during the weekend of Lakeview East Art Fair, it reminded me how much this is still my fav location of Reckless. Selection is the best of all 3 locations, the aisles feel roomy and not too cramped, and I always forget how big the discount/​clearance section is. All the other reviews cover the important facts about this one, so I won’t make this too much longer.
Amazing that I’m old enough to remember the first Broadway Ave location of where Reckless is (IIRC, across the entrance into the parking garage on the same side of the street, where Dryhop now is). I guess I’ll see if this continues to be my fav location, or if the new Milwaukee Ave location will surpass it? So far I don’t think it will (and only have visited the new Milwaukee Ave location once so far), but we’ll see over time.

Great selection of vinyl. I sold some records here and was disappointed with the money I got but that’s how it always is when you sell anywhere. Their vinyl prices are reasonable so I guess they can’t pay much for the stuff they buy. Friendly staff that made the selling process easy.

If you are a music lover, this place is the best, a real gem in Chicago. They grade vinyl accurately, their customer service if you ever have problems is fantastic, and the selection is amazing. That being said, what really makes this place great is the people that work there!

If you like vinyl, you have to go here, enough said.
Also, DVDs and music paraphrenalia — go and browse.
It’s GREAT. Helpful staff, great selection, buy/​sell CDs/​DVDs/​vinyl.
Enough said. GO HERE.

Probably my favorite Reckless location in Chicago. Prices for jazz, world music, and classical LPs/​CDs are unbeatable. Pop/​rock music prices vary, but overall are pretty reasonable. I never walk out of this store empty handed.
For selling your collection, these guys give the best prices from anywhere I’ve gone.

Positioned in a hip and bustling Chicago neighborhood, this is a must stop for locals and visitors alike. Great selection of new and used vinyl, as well as CD’s. I found a used Motown collection which included a set of 4 albums in good condition for only $ 5.99. The space is organized well, and isn’t overwhelming. They keep all of the covers up front and the albums themselves in the back, which seemed like a great idea. I’m looking forward to going back!

One of my favorite places. Any indie, new or obscure cd, dvd or video you want or need, they will have it!

Probably my favorite record store in Chicago. They have three locations with the downtown being the smallest and the wicker and lakeview being relatively similar in size and selection. I collect a lot of different vinyl and always love going here. They won’t have everything in stock that youre looking for new, but they will have a great mix of used and new. If you are looking for something new, it will more than likely arrive at some point. Their online database and reserving records is also extremely helpful if you are looking for something specific. The staff here is always very nice and helpful. I tried to exchange some records and didn’t really agree with the value that they put on them for trade in, but I feel like they have to make money and overall this is still a great place to buy a record.

This place was really disappointing. It was 80% used records and everything I looked for wasn’t there. I went in with high hopes and left sad, but, I understand that people love it. So. I’m not hating.

Reckless sets the gold standard for record stores, with the Broadway location being my favorite because of its extensive inventory of music, movies, and music-​related books. The prices are reasonable, and generally the condition of the used vinyl is excellent. I also appreciate the friendly and knowledgeable staff (at all Reckless locations). The staff members are fun to chat with about music, and they’ll transfer inventory from one location to another on request. The large room, well adorned with noteable vinyl covers and other artwork, encourages a leisurely visit.

Another great Chicago record store. Wide selection of new & used vinyl, CDs, tapes, & dvds. Really friendly & helpful staff! I’ve also found their pricing to be very reasonable & they pay a fair amount for your used music. Multiple locations, a must visit for music enthusiasts.

I’m a frequent visitor of the Milwaukee location, but what I really love about the broadway location is that there is a parking lot nearby. This location is a good size and I like the staff there as well. I will go back and forth between this and the Milwaukee location. I live in the suburbs, so I appreciate the parking lot. Finding parking in these areas can be frustrating. I highly recommend this record store. My favorite in Chicago.

I’ve been to this location a couple of times now and every time I leave with more and more of a distaste for the employees who work there.
The employees are ratty little punk rockers who I can only imagine think their music is the only real music. Me, I like all music and certainly appreciate anyone’s business (money is money). Maybe this is the image the store is going for, after all if you’ve ever seen hi fidelity.
Now for the positive, the store has a great selection of classic rock records. Surprisingly they even have a decent rap/​hip hop selection too. I always leave with some new vinyl and enough satisfaction in my findings to come back.
If you are into or looking to start up a vinyl collection you definitely have to come here but just be prepared for weird looks and lack of any type of enthusiasm from the employees.

Checking this place out!
Gotta say, I Love this place!
So, I am moving and I have had quite a large DVD collection and CD collection
for many years.
And, I researched Reckless Records to see if they would possibly be interested
in buying some of my collection from me.
So, I took in a bunch of my DVD Box Sets yesterday and, gotta admit it was
kind of Bittersweet because I took in all my Buffy the Vampire Slayer Box Sets.
And yes, I may be 52 but I loved Buffy and Willow and Zander and Spike.
Especially Spike. He always seemed to kick my hormones into overdrive.
Okay, anyway, I had Seasons 1 through 7 of Buffy and honestly a few years
back I had a Buffy watching Marathon so I thought it may be time to pass on
my treasured Buffy Box Sets to someone else.
And as I handed my Box Sets to the nice guy behind the counter I kinda cringed
cause I really did’nt want to let Spike go.
But reality set in and I gave up my Pristine Sets and got some money for them.
Now, the thing is if I would have taken a store credit from Reckless I would have
received more but because I wanted the cash option I actually got a little less.
I also took in my Showgirls Special Box Set with a shot glass enclosed,
Ahhh, Showgirls. such an unforgettable film.
But, this particular Reckless Location has one of the best selections of Records
on Vinyl, DVD’s, Blu-​Rays and they still have VHS tapes, not too many Thank God!
All the Associates/​Employees are Super Nice here too!
So, for the record, Reckless buys, sells, and does exchanges (In store credits)
Not a bad deal at all if you are looking to downsize your collection!
Their prices on everything were so affordable/​fair, honestly one could easily
spend a few hours in here going through all the great deals!
So, I will end this now by saying I am feeling a bit of a loss here without
my Buffy Box Sets.
And, okay, I’m missing Spike big time!
But, I’ll get over it, time to move on without Spike!
As hard as that may be.

Reckless is a neighborhood staple that carries everything, from records to cassettes to CDs, from mainstream to obscure, from the biggest entertainers of all time to «dang, this person hasn’t dropped a single since I was 7, what happened to him?» Pretty sweet prices, came across a Zapp and Roger record for 99 cents that made me want to pull my yellow Big Bird record player out of my grandmother’s basement and jam. Reckless, may you never leave us…
Now that I got all the good points about Reckless out of the way, I have to ask, are there female employees at the store? Because I’m just not here for their male employees. First time I went in there, I walked up to the counter to ask a question and the two guys behind the counter didn’t acknowledge my presence. I got someone’s attention the second time, at least enough for him to answer my question in an apathetic, monotone voice, all while never making any sort of eye contact.
I know some might say that’s part of the «charm» of the shopping experience. If this was 1997 and we were in the movie «Empire Records,» I might agree. But I much prefer someone to at least look at me as they’re talking to me. It’s okay… I won’t blow your jaded hipster cover, I promise.
Come for the music and don’t expect much customer service. That’s the best way to navigate Reckless.