- THE STRAND (the grandest)
- BOOKCLUB (best for vibes, bar/cafe & events)
- SHAKESPEARE & CO (best for cafe & work/study hangs)
- ARGOSY BOOK STORE (best for old & rare books, art & history)
- MCNALLY JACKSON SOHO (best for beautiful layout & curation)
- BIBLIOTHEQUE (best for wine bar, cafe, live music, study/work)
- HOUSING WORKS BOOKSTORE (Best for community, non-profit, used books, goods & clothing)
I’ll start by saying I haven’t seen them all. The Drama Book Shop I know will be an immediate add.
I’d also like to thank my lil joint bookstagram for giving me purpose in the city when work’s been slow 🙂
So, here’s the list as it does now stand. First up…
- THE STRAND (the grandest)
Location: 828 Broadway at 12th St (Greenwich village)
Images are original
Bio: She’s a biggun. This landmark bookstore quite literally boasts over 18 miles of books; new, used, rare and in more categories than you knew existed. The Strand has been family run since 1927 and is the only vestige of 4th Avenues historic “Book Row”, which once housed over three dozen bookstores before skyrocketing rent prices bowled – all but one – over or out.
What I like: The vastness. The levels, layers and the bustling flock it attracts gives The Strand a magic energy. Dare I say its even a little Hogwarts-y. That pre-school Diagon alley buzz. I appreciated the little Brooklyn Roasting Compay cafe corner and the selection of used books, especially in this economy Doll.
Cons: There’s lots of foot traffic and it can get a bit hectic. There’s also no enticing spaces to park yourself for a few hours to work/study – a con for me.
2. BOOKCLUB (best for vibes, bar/cafe & events)
Location: 197 East 3rd St (East village)
Image 1, image 3 and image 4 from @bookclubbar on instagram, all the rest original
Bio: This lively bookstore and bar opened in 2019 and “serves as a community hub of the East Village” with vibes, drinks, actual book clubs and a calendar of events!
What I like: The events and community element is a major draw card and might explain the warm and vibey atmosphere. Author events, live music, book club meets, drink and draw or draft evenings, game nights… you name it, they got it. You can sit at the bar, at tables inside or out, or curl up in an armchair in the cozy, book-lined back section. Oh, and you can sit here on your laptop all damn day (and night) if you want.
Cons: The drinks are pretty pricey and they haven’t had wifi when I’ve been. Staff are so lovely so cons are loose.
3. SHAKESPEARE & CO (best for cafe & work/study hangs)
Location: 939 Lexington Ave (Upper East side)
Images are original
Bio: This little bookstore was founded in 1983. The Lexington Ave spot sits adjacent to the Hunter College campus so its super student friendly.
What I like: Great book selection, a decent cafe and snack section, wifi, no ‘no laptop’ policy and seating! Tick tick tick I said before happily parking myself here for a few hours. The specialty lattes were fun and made me order a Montague Mocha, which I soon realised was a bit much lol.
Cons: Could have been a little more seating to accomodate all the students as well as other readers, laptoppers and cafe goers.
4. ARGOSY BOOK STORE (best for old & rare books, art & history)
Location: 116 E 59th St (Midtown)
Images are original
I also made a reel from my visit, find it here @globalsocialbookclub.
Bio: This historic bookstore is the oldest in NYC. Founded in 1925, the Argosy is in its third generation of family ownership. You could spend days here and barely scratch the charmingly dusty surface of this 6 story treasure trove of antiquarian and out-of-print volumes. They specialise in “Americana, modern first editions, autographs, art, photography, and antique maps & prints”. Oh and Patti Smith worked here. Fun fact: she was almost immediately fired after she “accidentally spilled rabbit glue on a nineteenth-century Bible”.
What I liked: This place has so much character. Its seen some shit and so can you if you venture in (there’s lots of exposing documentation of human thinking errs over the years). I also read about Patti’s crossover in ‘Just Kids’ one day after my visit to Argosy (image 7), which felt special and spooky. My fashion lover companion Steph appreciated all the couture archives (image 8). Also, the staff were lovely.
Cons: No cons. It is what it is and you can’t make it what it isn’t. Kapeesh?
5. MCNALLY JACKSON SOHO (best for beautiful layout & curation)
Location: 134 Prince St (SoHo, one of a few of their NY stores)
Images are original
Bio: McNally Jackson’s flagship SoHo store opened in 2004. The independent bookstore now has five locations, three in Manhattan and two in Brooklyn. I’ve heard good things about the Seaport location.
What I like: The store has an intimate feel and is curated beautifully, fitting for its Soho surrounds. It’s an aesthetically pleasing feast for the eyes, particularly I imagine, for the OCD ones. Love the cozy reading nook upstairs and the cafe addition. McNally also has an events calendar with seminars, author events and discussion sessions for their variety of genre-specific book clubs.
Cons: It’s instagrammable hype does make the store a little crowded at times.
6. BIBLIOTHEQUE (best for wine bar, cafe, live music, study/work)
Location: 54 Mercer St (SoHo)
Image 3 from Time Out, Image 4 & Image 5 from @bibliothequenyc on instagram and Image 6 from Google Maps, all others original.
Bio: Bookclub but make it SoHo! Bibliotheque is an independent bookstore, café, and wine bar founded by a father son duo who wanted to combine their love of literature, food, wine, coffee and community in an “elegant, visually stunning space”.
What I like: The interiors are stunning, especially in the backroom where people come to read/laptop by day, and catch up over wine, food and chandelier-light by night. I like how laptop friendly it is and that you can sit there all day (avoiding the hawkish gaze of circling patrons wanting your seat). I like the versatility of the venue and that they have a calendar of different events like author talks and live music.
Cons: Vibes not as relaxed as Bookclub’s space. Not a staff thing but a SoHo thing I guess? Its also difficult to get a seat during the day and the menu is pricy (no-one is surprised).
7. HOUSING WORKS BOOKSTORE (Best for community, non-profit, used books, goods & clothing)
Location: 126 Crosby St (SoHo)
Images are original
Bio: “Housing Works is a New York City based non-profit fighting the twin crises of AIDS and homelessness”. For over a decade the Bookstore has established itself as a downtown institution and 100% of the profits from their cafe, second hand books, clothes, accessories and vinyls go to Housing Works’ services.
What I like: Love the diversity and communal atmosphere of this space. I love that profits go to a good cause. I love interiors too, that the space is large yet maintains a warmth. The thrift store upstairs is great. They hold different events and have a cafe – features I always appreciate. I didn’t get a coffee so can’t tell you if its good but I can tell you I love the idea, and also the seating.
Cons: They have a no laptop policy so no study/work here. A shame because of how much I wanted to park myself in the space all day. However, the sight of people reading or chatting makes sense for the space.
That’s all for now.
TBC.
Ps. Share your thoughts with me! Have you been to any of these beauties? Have some recos?
LMK!
Yours truly and ggracelessly,
grace ❤
ggraceless.com 
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