Crates, Culture & Cuisine: The Perfect Toronto Day Out with Play de Record

Hey Toronto! Let's talk about the neighbourhood—our neighbourhood. Since first planting our roots in the city's music scene back in 1990, Play De Record has been a cornerstone for artists, DJs, producers, and analog music lovers hunting for that perfect beat or rare press. 

Since 2016, our home has been 411 Spadina Ave, and this location has given us a front-row seat to the beautiful, constant flux between two of Toronto's most iconic communities: the bustling energy of Chinatown and the free-spirited soul of Kensington Market.

From this vantage point, we haven't just watched the city change—we've felt its heartbeat. We've learned where to find the perfect steam bun after a long dig through the crates and which quiet courtyards offer a moment of peace from the afternoon rush. We've built the perfect urban adventure, one discovery at a time.

So, if you're planning a record shopping trip to see us, why not make a day of it? Lace up your walking shoes and get ready to explore. Here’s our take on how to build the perfect day around a visit to Play De Record.

Crate Digging: Find Your Day's Rhythm at Play De Record

Every great adventure needs a soundtrack, and yours begins here. Before you hit the streets, step into our shop and find the records that will score your day. Think of us as your sonic basecamp—not just a stop on the map, but the foundation for everything that follows.

When you walk through our doors, you're stepping into a piece of Toronto's musical history. These walls have absorbed sounds from generations of DJs, producers, and vinyl enthusiasts. But the real magic happens in the dig. Our crates are a physical archive packed with the fuel for your exploration.

Looking for foundational funk samples that built hip-hop? We've got you. Want deep house grooves that mirror the city's electric pulse? It's here. Searching for that rare Japanese press or a long-out-of-print 12-inch you thought was lost to time? This is your hunting ground.

Finding that one perfect record isn't just a purchase—it's the discovery that sets the tone for everything that follows. It's the album that will score the rest of your urban exploration, and the perfect, authentic start to a day dedicated to uncovering hidden gems. 

Now, grab your headphones, grab your record, and let's hit the pavement. The city is waiting, and now it has your personal soundtrack.

Immerse Yourself in Kensington Market

Head west from our shop and the energy shifts dramatically. The dense, vibrant streets give way to the free-spirited, bohemian maze of Kensington Market. Here, the hunt continues—but it's for more than musical treasures. It's for an experience.

Kensington is a haven for those who appreciate curation and character. The neighbourhood is packed with legendary vintage and thrift shops where you can find everything from pristine '70s leather jackets to rare rock band tees. But its appeal runs much deeper.

Wander through a world of independent artisans selling handmade jewellery, local ceramics, and unique art prints from colourful, slightly tilting houses-turned-shops. Stop to admire the ever-changing murals and street art that transform the market into an outdoor gallery. Every corner offers something unexpected—a hand-painted storefront, a hidden courtyard, a vintage gem you didn't know you needed.

The experience is as much about sustenance as shopping. Follow the scent of fresh coffee from a cozy café or grab an iconic empanada from a bustling stall. The market is a global food village offering everything from authentic Jamaican patties to Portuguese custard tarts.

Wandering through this vibrant maze is a full-sensory adventure that resonates with anyone who understands that true style and authentic flavour aren't found in a mall—they're discovered.

Credit: Photo by Suwannee.payne, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Refuel in Chinatown: A Culinary Journey

By now, the incredible aromas from Chinatown's kitchens and markets will be calling you back. This is where you refuel, and you're in one of the city's best culinary neighbourhoods.

For a truly immersive experience, dive into the authentic, bustling food markets. These multi-sensory wonderlands are a feast for the eyes and soul. You'll find a rainbow of exotic fruits and fresh greens, tanks holding live seafood, and aisles packed with sauces, spices, and snacks offering a world of culinary inspiration. It's not just shopping—it's an experience that connects you to the neighbourhood's vibrant food culture.

When you're ready to eat, you have the best of both worlds. Follow locals into vibrant, no-frills bakeries for quick, delicious, and affordable treats—think fluffy, warm roast pork buns, flaky egg tarts, or sweet, silken tofu pudding. These spots have perfected their craft over decades, and their regulars know why.

Or settle into one of the many sit-down restaurants for a proper feast. Share plates of steaming dumplings, perfectly roasted meats, hand-pulled noodles, and dishes you won't find anywhere else in the city. From traditional Cantonese dim sum to spicy Sichuan hot pot, the options are endless and authentic.

Whether you're grabbing a snack on the go or sitting down for a meal with friends, this is the real, unfiltered taste of the community—vibrant, diverse, and utterly essential.

Understand the Story: Take a Walking Tour

To truly tie your day together and understand the profound history you've been walking through, we recommend getting the backstory. Seeking out this context—whether through a self-guided walk or an organized Chinatown heritage tour—is like reading the liner notes to your favourite album. It gives everything you've experienced deeper, more powerful meaning.

A knowledgeable guide will point out details you'd miss on your own: the history of family associations, the symbolism in architectural facades, and the stories of immigrants who built this resilient, thriving neighbourhood from the ground up over more than a century. You'll learn about struggles, triumphs, and cultural pillars that shaped the very streets you just walked.

This context transforms the delicious food you ate, the unique shops you visited, and the vibrant art you saw from a simple series of activities into a rich, interconnected human story. It adds a layer of depth and respect to your day that you'll carry long after you've gone home.

Conclusion: Make Play De Record Your Home Base

That's the perfect day around Play De Record: start with the perfect find in our crates, explore the vintage treasures and street art of Kensington Market, feast on authentic Chinatown flavours, and discover the rich history that makes these neighbourhoods essential to Toronto's identity.

It's a journey built on discovery, curation, and culture—the same principles that have guided us for over three decades. When you visit Play De Record, you're not just stopping by a record store; you're accessing the heart of one of Toronto's most dynamic cultural corridors, a place where sound, food, art, and history intersect.

So come by, find your soundtrack, and explore everything our corner of the city has to offer. Visit us at 411 Spadina Ave or online at playderecord.com.

Hero image credit: Photo by Jose San Juan / City of Toronto, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0