Daddy Kool Records

I enjoy this place simply because the offer a alternative to buy tickets at other than the venue or online. Their service fees are typically less and the people working there are helpful and friendly.

I liked this place. It’s cool for the newer stuff you want to find on vinyl, but I love a good dig session, and the used section was smallish. I did happen to find an amazing soundtrack to take back from my Florida travels :) I would definitely come here again, but have in mind that this is more mainstream than older more obscure albums. Keep on rockin’ Daddy Kool!

What a real treat for me this place was. Daddy Kool Records takes home the gold for the best assortment of overall records in the Sunshine State.
From new LP’s to classic rock staples to an abundant 45 section to punk, hardcore and hip hop heavy hitters to discographies from Bowie, Cash and Sinatra — you get the picture.
And the prices! New LP’s aren’t $ 26-​$ 30 like most places, but rather $ 18-​$ 20.The records are modestly priced and I believe this is why Daddy Kool has such a high reputation.
Ended up buying FIDLAR’s new album because I’ll be seeing them in Tallahassee in a few weeks. This sparked a conversation with the man behind the counter since he went to FSU some years ago and knew the venue they’d be playing.
Best record store I’ve been to in Florida. Vinyl fever never felt so kool.

Such a cool place! I found Black Sabbath 1970 CD.

Very good store for vinyl very friendly staff and they know how to make you feel at home.

Daddy Kool is a great little shop. It’s a great place to pick up some new music, some sort of weird toy thingie or pick up a concert ticket.
Why I go there: there’s tons of vinyl! The selection is categorized well, there’s an amazing 7″ section, a great variety of artists and genres, etc. The staff is very helpful giving recommendations and helping you find things. If they don’t have something, they will try to order it for you. Very nice of them.
The minor downside: You can sometimes find better deals elsewhere, but it is a close and convenient record store with an awesome selection. I’m okay with paying a few bucks more.

Great Selection! Very cool store and the staff is super nice!

I absolutely adore the atmosphere in this record store. They have a very unique layout and collection of items. Even though they were understocked on merch for my favorite band, I still found some pretty rare records I’d been searching for all around the Bay Area. The staff were incredibly informative and nice. Love the location.

Daddy Kool is small, yet manages to provide a wide range of music styles to make the most finicky music buff happy. You’ll also find CD’s, and concert tickets. I’d recommend purchasing your tickets here vs Ticketmaster and save yourself the outrageous fees.

They have one of the best selections of records that I have ever seen. Not just used records, but new ones as well. Would recomend to all that are big lp collectors.

Driving along Central Avenue in search of food… I catch a glimpse of a hip looking store front; and how could you miss it being that it’s bright orange (yet blends right into the tree lined street).
I couldn’t resist and I pull in for a quick pit stop. And the inside is bright green… quite refreshing and awakening.
They have CD’s (small selection)… but the inventory is mostly vinyl records (also limited selection but more choices than the CD collection).
My interest in records is limited to «do you remember this» AND /​OR «do you remember that» kinda nostalgia…
And I also have an interest in 78s. Not the year, but the 78 RPM records. For those not familiar… they are not vinyl; if you drop them they shatter like glass and they pre-​date 1950s. Unfortunately for me, Daddy Kool does not carry them… BUMMER!
That’s not to say I didn’t find some cool finds… Afrika Bambaataa and the Soul Sonic Force… that they did have ! ! !
Without 78 RPM records in stock there really wasn’t much for me to purchase. Although, the sales clerk was wearing a really cool Daddy Kool store t-​shirt and a sign posted on the back wall had them listed for sale on the cheap side (around 8 dollars)… but they were sold out (DAMN). But then the clerk added that they have been sold out for awhile… my suggestion… take the sale sign down.
I later learned that the bulk of their business is selling concert tickets. Even their website is geared 100 percent to tickets to a variety of venues. And their business card may say the word «records» but even still the business card is geared toward ticket sales.
Although the music selection is limited and I didn’t get lucky… it’s still pretty KOOL ! ! !

I’ve been a loyal Daddy Kool customer since 1999. While I had been to the old Sarasota location a couple of times, the St. Petersburg was my go to. Now in its fourth incarnation in downtown St. Pete, I really feel this store has really come into its own as the premier record store in the Tampa Bay area. It’s obviously the place to go for concert tickets, in store or online at
, but it’s also flush with new vinyl, great toys, turntables, accessories, new and used vinyl, etc. And hey, if you still listen to CDs, they have a great new and used CD section as well.

First time I went there the gentleman at the counter offered zero assistance. I wandered around the store checking out all of their overpriced stock. They should change their name to Daddy Kool Music, or Daddy Kool Compact Disc, because they barely have any records. Since then, I have called ahead twice to inquire about ticket availability, and rushed over there as fast as I could. The reason i had to rush is because, like many people, I don’t have a way to stop by the store early in the day. So, once I showed up 2 minutes past 8 (closing) to see them doing, whatever, inside.
This evening, I showed up within seconds of the clock hitting 8. The guy was at the register, probably counting down the days profits, and looked at me to say they were closed. Same dude, every time. Funny thing is, there is no way that he locked the door at 8 o’clock on the dot and then made it back behind the counter. I was there that fast. He locked the door early. Shit customer service. I repeat SHITE CUSTOMER SERVICE. They don’t care about you. Take your money elsewhere.

Spacious storefront with helpful employees in a fabulous part of town. They are innovative enough to keep up with this rapidly changing digital age we are in. Best place to get concert tickets and support local indie businesses and local artists.

Let me start off by saying that I feel that the record shop scene in the St. Pete/​Tampa Bay areas is a bit lacking. Now, I don’t mean that as any slight to the area or those who are fighting the good fight to keep it alive but I would be lying if I said any store in the area really jumped out at me as being special, Daddy Kool included.
I have been visiting the St. Petersburg area for the majority of my life but it was only recently that I found out that this place existed and after visiting a nearby museum, I decided to give Daddy Kool a whirl. The first thing that struck me was how indifferent the guy behind the counter seemed to be about me being there, even though I was the only one in the shop the entire time I was there. The second thing I noticed is how ridiculous some of their prices where. I’m not sure if this is due to the fact that they have no real competition or people in the area are just willing to pay more for records, but most of the stuff I found here I could get for at least $ 4 less at home.
On the upside however, and the reason I gave Daddy Kool a three star review, is the store is clean and well organized. It is a spacey store so there is no squeezing into areas to check out music and it is well lit as well so you don’t have to kill your eyes trying to read the fine print. Lastly, it is a store trying to carry on a tradition that seems to be going the way of the Buffalo in St. Petersburg.
UPDATE 6÷27÷12:
I recently revisited St. Petersburg and gave Daddy Kool another shot, and boy did they pass with flying colors! The indifferent employee at the counter? Gone. Replaced with a super friendly gentlemen, who even gave me 10% off when I showed him my college ID. High prices? Still existent, but more available cheaper records seem to have been introduced as well. I ended up spending about $ 40 or $ 50 dollars here and walked away with about four records.
I am definitely glad I gave Daddy Kool another chance. I will most definitely be returning here in the future. Keep up the good work!

Amazing record store. I Could not be happier with the selection of new and used vinyl. Staff are always willing to help out, place orders and the like. Welcoming atmosphere and again, great selection of music.

First of all, the only reason this is not a 5 star review is because the prices here tend to be pretty high.
Otherwise, these guys/​gals are great. Friendly atmosphere and really the only place like it in St Pete. You can tell they are working hard to keep the music scene alive in the area by supporting local artists and promoting concerts.
Additionally, I bought a new record that had a scratch/​pressing issue and after bringing it back the next day they ordered a new copy from the record label and called me as soon as they got it in the store. This is not the standard operating procedure at most record stores but they seemed pretty cool about it.
I also stopped in for Record Store Day this year and had a blast! They seemed to have most everything on my list and I walked away very happy.
As I did mention, the only downside is their prices. Nearly all of the stuff I’ve found in their shop I can find on Amazon for less, or considerably less. Also, their used vinyl selection was kind of a mixed bag (although I did snag a Fine Young Cannibals record for $ 3!!).

Best. Record. Store.
Want cool music and NEED some vinyl? Check out Daddy Kool.
Long a mainstay in the area, with an owner who has literally made the live music scene pop for 30 years (gawds I’m old…) Daddy Kool has survived where Alternative Record and Vinyl Fever did not.
Go. Shop. Spend Money. Support an important business.

This record shop is rad!
It’s a small layout, but that isn’t a mark against them. They manage to stock all of the relevant items that you’d want without a sh! t-​ton of those Asian toys that litter so many other record stores. It’s about the music man!
A good assortment of used vinyl at really good prices. Many of their albums were under $ 3. That’s like thrift store cheap!
The staff is cool too. They actually help you out.
This store is across the street from State Theater, and next door to Local 662, a busy music venue. I’ll be back here again on my next trip to St. Pete.

One of the coolest record/​music shops ever! I love independently owned music stores rather than big boxy places like Best Buy.
About a year ago they moved to a new location, a few blocks away from their old one. I couldn’t find it but I was plesantly pleased when I finally did. Inside you’re greeted with bright green walls and a large selection of music, including hard to find things. The owner of the shop is super friendly and will special order cds for you if needed. They also sell concert tickets to local places such as Jannus Landing and The State Theater just down the road. as well as some events in Tampa. They have a great selection of indie bands and I bought Explosions In The Sky tickets here once. which I was very excited about. A plus side is that you don’t get hit with the ticket fees either.
Daddy Kool’s is a must see if you love music and you happen to be in downtown St.Pete.