Retro Hillbrow Record Bar sign

A delapidated board displaying an old vinyl favourite in Hillbrow.
 
The Hillbrow Record Bar was part of the vibrant cultural scene in Johannesburg’s Hillbrow during its heyday in the 1970s and 1980s.
 
Hillbrow at that time was considered the most cosmopolitan area in South Africa, attracting young professionals, artists, and musicians.
 
The neighborhood was packed with trendy cafés, bookshops, music stores, and nightclubs, and Hillbrow Record Bar (sometimes referred to as Hillbrow Records or Hillbrow Record Centre) became a go-to spot for music lovers looking for vinyl records and the latest releases.
It was located near Pretoria Street, in the heart of Hillbrow’s bustling shopping and entertainment district, alongside iconic places like Estoril Books and Mi-Vami shawarma joints. 
 
This era was marked by Hillbrow’s reputation as a progressive, multicultural hub that defied apartheid’s racial segregation laws.
It was a melting pot of cultures and a center for nightlife, folk clubs, and live music venues where emerging South African musicians like David Kramer and Roger Lucey launched their careers.
 
The record bar contributed to this artistic energy by providing access to global and local music trends, making it a cultural landmark for Johannesburg’s music enthusiasts.
 
The Hillbrow Record Bar (also referred to as Hillbrow Record Centre) appears to have closed during the major decline of Hillbrow in the late 1980s to early 1990s. By 2006, it was already boarded up and abandoned, along with many other businesses in the area, as documented in urban decay reports and photo essays
 
Printed on metal. These boards are made from soft steel and can be mounted on the wall, either by the folded strip at the back, or holes can be drilled at the allocated spaces indicated. This is ideal for outside areas, like an enclosed braai area etc. This is an awesome conversation starter!