Record Store Day 2018: Your guide to deals, free giveaways and parties in Tampa Bay

It started as a small grassroots campaign to lift up independent record stores. It's now an international celebration of all things vinyl that's celebrated all day in cities like Tampa.

Yep, it's time once again for Record Store Day. And trust us, you're going to want a guide.

You can head to Record Store Day's website for all the details on this year's hundreds of limited special releases, including vinyl LPs by Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen and Pink Floyd, plus collectible items by Run the Jewels, the National, Arcade Fire and many more.

But the RSD site only gets you so far. As usual, it doesn't tell you much about what's happening in Tampa Bay on Record Store Day; it lists two stores (Vinyl Countdown and Gulfport Records) that are out of business.
Here's a better look at where to go and spend your allowance this Record Store Day. Remember, most stores won't have everything in stock; if you're dead-set on a particular title, call the day before and plan to line up early.

ARTpool Gallery: While the vintage boutique's record-store half won't be carrying any new RSD-exclusive titles, owners have been back-stocking extra crates of newly acquired used records to put out when the store opens at 11 a.m. It's worth listing here anyway because Saturday doubles as ARTpool's 10th anniversary celebration, culminating with a Roaring Twenties-themed "Gatsby Gala" at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10. 2030 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. (727) 324-3878. Click here.

Bananas Music: Opening at 9 a.m., the self-proclaimed world's largest record store will feature giveaways, a food truck, customizable screen-printed T-shirts and more. Live music includes John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band at 1 p.m., plus the Ries Brothers, the Vultures, FayRoy, Danielle Mohr and more. 2887 22nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. (727) 327-4616. Click here.

Clearwater Record Shop: Opening at 10 a.m., the store will have a few Record Store Day titles, but will primarily offer 20 percent off on all priced merchandise. 1610 N Hercules Ave., Clearwater. (727) 200-9397. Click here.

Daddy Kool Records: Opening at 8 a.m., they'll have free Black Crow doughnuts and Brew D Licious coffee, plus grab bags and giveaways. A couple of doors down, Fubar hosts a full, free night of music starting at 5 p.m., including King Complex, Lassyu, Yogurt Smoothness, Bubble Boys and more. 666 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. (727) 822-5665. Click here.

Disc Exchange: Owner Nick Sorace said he'll open at 10 a.m., but get there beforehand and he might let you browse the selection early. He'll offer specials like select 10 percent discounts and BOGO deals. 6712 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. (727) 343-5845. Click here.

Dunedin Records and Audio: Another store celebrating a new location this Record Store Day, this audiophile's destination will feature plenty of top-notch turntables on display, plus hundreds of dollars' worth of giveaways. 430 Patricia Ave., Dunedin. (727) 423-4108. Click here.

Kingfish Records: This Record Store Day will double as Kingfish's official grand opening in its new location, 26024-B U.S. 19 N, Clearwater. Opening at 8 a.m., they'll have live music inside and outside, some pop-up vendors and giveaways, including autographed LPs and goodie bags for the first 20 people in line. (727) 351-5177. Click here.

Microgroove: Opening at 9 a.m., they'll have coffee, kombucha and vegan sandwiches on site, plus free PBR in the afternoon, with live music from Will Quinlan, Alexander and the Venus, DieAlps! and more. 4906 N Florida Ave., Tampa. (813) 667-7089. Click here.

Mojo Books and Records: Opening at 8 a.m., the Tampa store will offer drawings and giveaways for people in line, goodie bags, free beer from PBR after 4 p.m., BOGO and B2GO deals and a vegan bake sale. In the afternoon, look for live music from DieAlps!, the Easy Button, Laundromat, Justin Myers and more. 2540 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. (813) 971-9717. Click here.

Patrick's Book and Music Store of Hudson: Way off the normal beaten path for Tampa Bay vinyl hounds, you'll find this record shop in Hudson, which has been open for about five years. They won't be stocking official Record Store Day items, but they did recently begin stocking new vinyl alongside their thousands of vintage items, and will be offering 20 percent off on Saturday. 15215 U.S. 19 N, Suite C, Hudson. (727) 868-3168. Click here.

Planet Retro: Opening at 8 a.m., the well-curated punk- and metal-focused store has worked with brewer Tim Ogden to create its own unique Record Store Day beer, Crate Digger Ale, that will only be available on site. Look for live music starting at 11 a.m. and continuing into the night with Lazer Mouth, Kevin K. Band, Squadrom, Changer and many more. 226 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St., St. Petersburg. (727) 218-7434. Click here.

Sound Exchange: This will be the local chain's first Record Store Day since closing its Brandon outpost and opening a new Pinellas Park location. Both its stores in Tampa (14246 N Nebraska Ave.) and Pinellas Park (8625 66th St. N) will open at 9 a.m. and have prize drawings and giveaways including tote bags, posters and more. Meanwhile, the chain's old Pinellas Park location (7688 49th St. N), which is not stocking new RSD merchandise, but is in the final days of its inventory close-out, will feature BOGO deals on all items $3.99 and under . (813) 978-9316. Click here.

St. Pete Records: Opening at 9 a.m., they'll have free beer and pizzas, Pac-Man and Galaga competitions, giveaways, DJs and more. 1246 Central Ave. (second floor), St. Petersburg. (727) 490-8861. Click here.

Steelworker Records: The Tampa shop will open early, at 10 a.m., and feature "nearly 600 killer rare/used LPs," held specifically for Record Store Day, according to owner Kenny Crum.  708 W Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tampa. (813) 666-4933. Click here.

— Jay Cridlin