Our Favorite Bookstores and Magazine Shops in NYC
Curated by Hypemaps Team
With New York City's rich 400-year-long history, a backlog of historical texts comes with the territory. However, the number of bookstores containing the historical references is dwindling – recent reports claim only about 80 or so bookstores are still left. And while some are definitely more famous than others, thankfully there is no shortage of great retailers for books, magazines, comics and more. In this list, you'll find local neighborhood shops that carry international periodicals, old-school book shops with rare first editions, smaller magazine spots for niche international publications and more.
Iconic has been a go-to for fashion heads for decades – naturally, thanks to its convenient location on Mulberry and Kenmare in SoHo. The tight spot houses all of your favorite magazines both mainstream and indie, and even finds space to sell drinks, snacks, smokes and more.
If you're looking to dive deeper into the heart of NYC's subcultures, look no further than VillageWorks. The shop is quaint but located in the heart of St. Marks – a haven for the melting pot of different cultures that makes NYC great. Stop by even late – they're open till 1am.
The Rizzoli bookstore is where you go for your next coffee table book. While obviously the place to go for Rizzoli-published tomes, check them out also for their large collection of non-fiction works, hardcovers, classic literature and more.
This is the most well-known bookstore for all things Japanese. Kinokuniya bookstores are plentiful all across the US as they've expanded beyond Japan, but NYers are proud to say theirs directly across from Bryant Park is quite large and plentiful. There's also a small cafe on the second floor if you need to take a break.
Dashwood Books – located a stone's throw away from SoHo – specializes in photography books and magazines around the art form. The indie shop has even worked with globally recognized photographers: Dashwood helped release 'The Complete Works vol.1-4' of Daido Moriyama last year.
Beyond its incredible "18 miles" collection of books and publications, The Strand has also mastered the art of marketing its brand. Visitors to NYC flock to the landmark store not only for its next favorite read, but for its iconic tote bags and accessories. Definitely a must-stop for NY first timers.
Out of all the entries in this list, Book Club stands out for doubling also as a bar serving coffee, wine, cocktails and more. The indie storefront also holds events quite often, forming a community within the East Village for book lovers and local night life seekers alike.
For New Yorkers, McNally Jackson is the indie bookstore that has become as much of a household name as possible while still maintaining its independent vibe. There are multiple locations across NYC but we love the location and selection at this Williamsburg location the best – check it out next time you're in Brooklyn.
Three Lives & Co. is one of the older bookstores on our list, having been around since the late 60s. It's quaint interior is matched by its prominent exterior, both of which scream 'the perfect little neighborhood bookstore' in its Greenwich Village residency. Special shout out to the incredibly helpful and knowledgable staff during our visits.
10.
Mast Books
Mast is a bit more unique of a bookshop, doubling also as a gallery and exhibition space. The storefront prides itself for its out-of-print titles, rare prints, zines and more. They also work with creative agencies, designers, museums and others for private client work and catalog building.
It's impressive how many magazines Casa is able to store inside of its charming 8th Ave. corner shop. Situated just outside of Greenwich and West Village, Casa tends to be fashion's first resort for catching up on new mags, while also containing a great backlog of previous issues. Check here, check often.