We’ll be honest – we weren’t quite sure what to expect from our very first Record Store Day. But by the end of it, we were genuinely blown away by the response. From queues before sunrise to crate-diggers turned dancers, Saturday felt like something special. The shop was buzzing, the records flew, and the 12 Bar community (new and old) showed up in full force.
Here’s a little look back at what happened – and a few things we’re already planning for next year.
The Early Morning Rush – And a Queue Down the Street
Record Store Day 2025 started early at 12 Bar – really early. By 6am, we had our first customer waiting outside, and by the time we opened our doors, the queue stretched over 40 people strong. Some had travelled miles to be here, and all of you came ready with wishlists and good vibes.
To make the wait a little more enjoyable, we handed out free teas and coffees to everyone in the queue. It was the least we could do – and seeing you all chatting and swapping lists before we’d even opened made it clear: this wasn’t just a shopping day. It was a community event.
Next year, we’ll be better prepared – we’re already planning to stock more of the biggest titles to meet the demand.
Big Moments from a Big Day
There were so many moments that made the day feel memorable, but a few really stood out:
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The Oasis vinyl sold out in the first 10 minutes. Lesson learned – next time, more copies.
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Seeing our regulars grab their dream releases – like Ria, who got her hands on the only zoetrope copy of All Things Must Pass by George Harrison. Worth the early wake-up call!
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Meeting so many new faces discovering the shop for the first time. If that was your first visit, we hope it won’t be your last.
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The customer who came in for a small bundle… and returned later to pick up more – leaving with over £250 worth of records. Thank you for the support (and yes, we hope you enjoyed the free beer!).
The DJs, the Raffle, and a Surprise Visitor
Our DJs truly set the tone – crate-digging their own collections to create a soundtrack that kept the energy up all day long. They turned the shop into something between a record store and a block party, and we loved every second of it.
Big thanks to everyone who entered the raffle – we hope you enjoyed the prizes, and we’ll definitely be bringing it back next year.
And then there was the mystery man: he walked in wearing sunglasses and a hat, danced his way to the counter, handed over a box of 45s, said “Give these out to the kids,” and vanished. We’re not making this up. The records are actually great – and we’ve still got a few on the counter if you want to grab one next time you’re in.
An Evening to Remember
As the day turned to evening, the energy shifted from frantic crate-digging to something softer, more celebratory. The shop was full of people staying for one more drink, another record, or just to enjoy the atmosphere.
The RSD DEYA beer went down an absolute treat. We’ve even got a few cans left – if you didn’t get a chance to try it on the day, pop in soon. (We’re trying not to drink the rest ourselves!)
What We Learned (And What’s Coming in 2026)
Like any first-time event, we took away some lessons – and we’re already planning how to make Record Store Day 2026 even better:
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We’ll stock more of the big exclusives. You cleared the shelves faster than we expected.
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We’re thinking about early-bird perks. If you’re queuing from 6am, we want to make it worth your while.
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Expect more of everything. More stock, more music, more ways to hang out and celebrate.
We’ll also be looking to extend the good vibes – maybe a weekend-long celebration next time?
A Huge Thank You
To everyone who queued up, dug through crates, grabbed a drink, danced to a DJ set, or just popped in to say hi – thank you. You made our first Record Store Day feel like something truly special.
If you’ve got photos or stories from the day, we’d love to hear them. Tag us on Instagram, drop us a message, or just stop by the shop and share your RSD story.
And if Saturday was your first time visiting 12 Bar – welcome. We’re so glad you found us.
Here’s to next year.
