In-store shopping
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Comments (199)
Great environment and very good to study and spend some time. There is a coffe shop on the back if the library and people usually spend long hours there studying or resding. Books therr can be pretty cheap to, but most people go for the study environment
Excellent, quaint, venue for a small wedding. my father and step-mother recently got married here and the reception was unforgettable. there were approximately 20 guests, so keep in mind this was a small wedding. more guests may require a larger venue.
Great bookstore and amazing cause!
Pretty cool place. I got there just in time to take a couple of pics because the place was closing, so I cant judge the quality of the food they have available, but the store itself looks pretty nice, clean, with lots of books (of course, its a book store) and a nice staircase. Very pretty and somewhat looks like a fragment of a Harry Potter movie.
It is one of my favorite places.It is a cool bookstore and a great place to hang out.I used to stop by very often when I was living in the area and, now that I live very far, I always make a point to visit whenever I am in town. It is like touching base with an old friend.
Great bookstore+cafe with an amazing atmosphere, wish there were more seating available. Great selection of books.
Everybody should visit this bookstore. They have every kind of used books (I also found second-hand but recently released books in the young-adult section), movies and music, and all the profits go to help homeless people in AIDS prevention. You can also have a coffee or a tea with a sandwich or pastries. Its just perfect. I need to come back.
Amazing place! Tons of books, CDs and comic books. Many tables to read and work, Wi-Fi, tasty coffee and all for a good cause!
Perhaps the loveliest coziest spot in NYC. Excellently curated books + old school NYC interior design + cute cafe + progressive attitude = amazing spot.(I highly recommend you take some time when here to sit down and read a book and just experience the environment.)
This place is a total gem. Staff are so kind, volunteers for the cause, and the books on display are always so thoughtful and so cool. Go in and buy some books! Music selection is also fab x
Good selection of used books, but a bit pricey. There is also a cafè.
Loved the ambience of the store, it is very clean and well organized. I only got to take a quick look before I had to go back to work but I am definitely going back because prices of some coffee table photography books were very reasonable.
Great bookstore, all purchases go to a good cause.This place can be a wedding venue! Came here for a wedding a few nights ago. My inner bookworm was so happy - I can read, party and eat at the same time. Became a very cozy and initiate venue.
Pleasant place to read a book or browse or quick study on your laptop. Service and comfort is (rightfully) minimalist for the cost and Atmosphere. If youre book lover this is the place.btw.. decent and coffee and above average sandwich (the vegan soup was a pass for me)
A simply lovely place to pick up a book and sit and read. Make sure to check out the upstairs book selection too.
Great independent bookstore with a wide range of rare books. Good selection of drinks as well. Would recomend
This bookshop is such a hidden gem. I didn’t know about it at all but my sister looked it up and it’s definitely worth visiting! First of all the layout is beautiful and makes you feel like your in beauty and the beast! #dreamcometrue. Second of all they have tons of books you can browse and find one you like and just sit and read! They have a balcony section and main floor. Best of all they also have a small coffee place in the main floor so you can stay and work or read for a while. Loved it!
Lovely store. I visited because Im a Law and Order SVU fan and they filmed 2 episodes here including in 2022
A really nice place to stay and have a rest when you r shopping in SOHO. You can find a lot of good books in a very reasonable price. When I first came to this place, it remind me of the library of my college. It supplies a very good environment for reading and study. There is a cafe inside the bookstore, and also restrooms. All money they get go to the non profit organization. Also you can find some good playbill books of Broadway here.There is also a thrift store next to this bookstore under the same organization.This bookstore also hosts a lot of events, I think most of the events are free. Just remember to check the website about the event schedule. People here are really friendly.
This was probably one of favorite bookstores I visited in NYC.I loved the atmosphere. Theres a cafe area with plenty of seats if you wanted to sit down with a book. Theres a nice variety of genres and even a section with some vinyl records as well to explore.During my visit (not sure if always the case), they halved the price of every book you buy as well. And if theres a better price online even after the halved result, they said theyd offer to price match. What a treat!
I love this place. The atmosphere is really friendly and chill, like in someone’s grandpa’s living room. There is a small cafe with plenty of tables on site if you fill like having some “me time” with a freshly found book. I’ve enjoyed knitting here a couple of times.
Love this bookstore! They have a lot of different genres, very cute staircases and nice little tables where you can sit down and read. Plus they have a shop inside - I had a very good coffee there.
Great place. Attended a book launch event for a novel by Dr. Frank Portman of Mr. T Experience. Heard an acoustic solo set by the same. Got kind of drunk for practically nothing, and bought a used book for $0.50 before I left. Still regret not buying G.E.B. Plus proceeds from the shop/cafe go to charity. Cant complain!
Beautiful space to check out some varied collection of books. Great if you want to take a breather from all the shopping in SoHo.
Nice and quietCoffee is good priceSell Used book and CDMany tablesNear subway stationCan use Bathroom
The staff were very welcoming and polite, and the bookstore itself is a great atmosphere -not to mention that all the book purchases are donated to the Housing Works’ lifesaving services! Would definitely recommend to visit in the summer.
Beautiful bookstore, great cause, great prices, and wonderful drinks. I had a hard time finding a spot to sit down, but I just kept browsing and kept an eye on the seating u til something opened. I can’t wait to go and spend many more hours there!
My favorite book store around and the proceeds go to a great cause! I almost always find something here, stock is constantly changing.
Still really love the place itself but over the last few months theyve chnaged quite a few things around - $1 and $2 books as well as individually priced books are gone, instead it is 50% off the retail price which is, depending on book and condition, just way too expensive for what it is - a used book in 2021! Like I said, though, the store itself is big and beautiful. It gives you a real oldschool NYC feeling, just the organization went downhill a bit lately, while prices went up.
HousingWorks Bookstore Cafe is hands-down one of the best places in New York City. It has an old-school rich persons library vibe with the spiral staircase and mezzanine level, but dont be fooled--this place is overflowing with great deals. Since the stock is 100% used books and media no two visits are ever alike; you can always find some gems in the stacks.They dont mind at all if you sit and read over a cup of coffee for a few hours; this is one of the few places in the city where I really feel a sense of expansiveness...like I can just kind of hang out and not really spend any money. (But of course, I usually wind up spending plenty, anyway!) The free public restrooms are also great, and centrally located when youre wandering around the city.This place is an absolute gem, supports a really great cause, and has a kind of magic to it. You cant ask for more than that out of a used bookstore!
Great idea combining the bookstore with a cafe. The coffee was good and not so expensive. The staff were super friendly.
Housing works bookstore is a peaceful relaxing place to enjoy reading books and also finding good books to take home
50% off the retail price on the booksDVDs, CDs, and Vinyl are all $6 or less but I cant remember the price for each one.The majority of the books are in very good condition, but I feel that the prices are still a tiny bit high for a used bookstore. Adult paperbacks around $7-8 and hardcovers are around $13-14. You can find books for much less at regular housing works stores.I didnt wind up buying anything but they have a decent selection of some newer books as well as old. Its well organized mostly.I think if you came here enough, you could probably find some gems and I appreciate it is volunteer ran and for charity.The cafe is currently closed and there is a regular housing works next door, although I didnt see any books sold there.
Great place to read a book. Quiet and spacious, which is a luxury in Manhattan.They serve great hot chocolate. It is thick and tasty
I loved this bookstore! Fair prices and good selection.
Its good but definitely overpriced for donated items. there is an air of academia superiora that I find comical for essentially a thrift store/bargain shop that seems out of steps with the new normal. Get 3 starts because sometimed you find a rare gem.
I always love coming down to Housing Works on Crosby. Its my favorite bookstore in this area of New York and one of my favorite of all time. I look forward to when theyll open up the back cage again. Its a quaint shop with a lot of great prices and plenty of second hand books in great condition. Whenever Im down in SoHo, its a must to go here.
Fantastic items at amazing prices for an awesome cause. The staff were also among the friendliest Ive encountered.
Beautiful bookstore that is a popular #weddingvenue and #photoop with a volunteer run cafe in the back. All profits go to charity and the staff and visitors form a great, inclusive community #nonprofit #nycfaves
Took my fiancé here on a date. It’s a cute area. They have two floors. So many books to look at. Best part was the books being sold for $5 and less. They have plenty of places to sit down. They do have a little cafe and I don’t really recommend the coffee. My fiancé and I felt I’ll afterwards. Other than this, I’d highly recommend.
I got 2 great books for 14$ that looked brand new and found the most beautiful dress during the wedding dress sale for 50$ which unfortunately didn’t fit, but if it did I 100% would have bought it. The space is really nice and definitely perfect for special events.
Beautiful and peaceful place to read a book while having a great coffee
Cute place, lots of books and the cafe was nice. I tried a Chai-der (chai made with apple cider) and it was delicious to say the least
I loved this place. Great selection of books and coffeeshop at the back of the store. Lovely place to sit and read.
Absolutely love this bookstore! Super charming interior, amazing selection of books at discounted prices, and loved the poetry book I got from this place. Staff is friendly & helpful too!
So excited I found this bookstore. It was definitely hopping on a Saturday afternoon. The prices were fabulous (I found an older title I was looking for for $3.00) and they had a LOT of inventory (lots of beautiful art / coffee table books too).If youre looking for brand new titles youre better off heading to the Strand, but for titles a year or two older you could definitely get lucky and find it here. I dont think theres a sure-proof way to check if they have a specific title in stock without actually going, but the cashier noted you could call them and they may be able to check the shelf if the store wasnt too busy.Ill be back and would highly recommend.
You’ll find a gem in this unique bookstore. They sell used reads in good condition, and you can stack up on some awesome books for relatively good prices. Also has a cafe with ample seating downstairs. There are few upstairs seats as well. I’ve noticed a handful of the homeless community tend to hang outside and occasionally inside as the location of the store is within proximity to a shelter/non-profit home. One of the coolest bookstores in downtown NYC for sure.
This is one of the treasures of New York that I always love, although i am just an outsider. The coffee shop in the bookstore has productive atmosphere that i love to sit and work. I can always find used book with good quality, many of them are new and the price is reasonable.On top of that, I notice people who works and come here for a coffee are always kind and gentle to each other. Once I saw a man who seemed to has some mental issues and he talked to himself. Instead of staying away from him, some other customers who were buying books started to talk to him and helped he calm down. People care about each other.
If you love books, like books or have read a book you will absolutely fall madly and deeply for this beautiful place full of great books. There is a Cafe that serves coffee, soft and hard drinks. Friendly and helpful staff as well. They sell a nice selection of comic books to fill the holes in your collection too. I was not disappointed. This place is one of the jewels of the area to visit and its selections of books, music, movies and yes, comicbooks is well curated by a highly knowledgeable staff and exceptional group of volunteers that helps this good charity continue its work.
You can spent your day with a cup of coffee and reading your books here. You may find your diamond among tons of books, vintage CDs, and Vinyls in a good price.
Love this place. Welcoming, great selection of books, excellent ethos. Helpful staff and volunteers. Drinks in real crockery, or they will willingly make your drink in your own reusable cup. They have racks of one/two dollar books and I have picked up some great reads there. They also accept donations of books.
This bookstore is very traditional and cute. Not a lot of places to sit and the coffee is average but overall very nice and cheap.
The most perfect used book store I’ve ever been in! It’s expansive with two floors and a cafe run by Housing Works volunteer baristas. The casual and comfortable setting lends itself to opening a book to read, a quiet meeting place between friends, or working from a laptop. Proceeds of this treasure trove benefit Housing Works and their mission to fight AIDS.
So many books at great prices. Occasionally, youll get lucky and stumble across signed books too. The staff is super friendly and ready to help if you need it!
Exactly what I was looking for. Separated very well, great selection, good service. Surprisingly well organized. I went to buy plays and found fantastic prices as well as choices.
Lovely, spacious yet cozy cafe area, huge selection of amazing books. Plus its a nonprofit supporting people with HIV/AIDS. Obv an awesome must-go. Staff is friendly and thoughtful, and happy to engage in human conversation.
Great bookshop and excellent cafe. The espresso drinks are excellent.
Affordable books and coffee in Sherlock Holmes style library settings. Always helpful staff. What is there not to like?
I literally love this place so much its the best coffee ever, nicely kept books both used and new, gorgeous interior thats perfect to study/work in without being bothered, and just overall very clean and large. not to mention the prices of the books are extremely reasonable and the employees are always super kind.
If you are exploring around and you love bookstores, stop whatever you are doing and come by this amazing place in the city. The bookstore has volunteers that serve the cafeteria and administer the place and they sell donated books to create a profit that they use to support low-income HIV patients with their treatment.This is one of those hidden gems in the city, so go take a look, explore it, have a coffee, buy a book (they are incredibly varied and cheap) and donate your used books or records here so they can continue their incredible labor.
The housing works bookstore is phenomenal. Their selection of books is spot on at almost every category. However, the cafe attached is not entirely as great. Here’s why: (1) there are no open plugs for you to charge your electronics, (2) the service is unfriendly, and (3) the maintenance of the sitting space lacks attention. Again, great bookstore, not so great cafe.
Housing Works Bookstore has an excellent collection of used, gently used and vintage books for super cheap prices! The cafe serves up some nice baked goods and fresh coffee and tea. Seating is limited but available. Staff members are all very nice and helpful!
Love this bookstore. Great stuff. Always fun surprises --- most of all a great cause and good works! Get out of the trendoid soho shops and duck in here. Good for the soul.
An awesome collection of books, with the proceeds all going to a great cause. Their lattes were delicious, and the food is reasonably priced as well. The volunteers are all so kind and theres even a thrift store associated with housing works right next door. Its a nice calm refuge away from the chaos and crowds of the city. I highly recommend to any and all book lovers, peace lovers, and love lovers.
Beautiful cafe/bookstore. I didnt get a chance to try the coffee, but there were plenty of tables for people to work on, and 2 clean unisex bathrooms. Employees were very kind, and there was a $1 book sale when I was there. Not sure if that is an every day occurrence or not.
I cant believe I haven’t been here before as I love everything about Housing Works and while they all have books this location is dreamy. Warm and cozy with delicious coffee and matcha and home-baked goodies like brownies and oversized cookies! I loved browsing and buying and people watching. Its special. If you love books, its a must visit!
I LOVE THIS PLACE!!! Its also a coffee bar too. Its great to sit down with a good book and a delicious coffee and unwind, its very quiet and everyone that works there is a delight and also they donate alot of money to people with aids and other ailments and i can only wish there was more good places like this. Good books, good coffee, good staff, and all around great place! =)
Friendly staff Good value books
Absolutely, hands down, my favorite bookstore in NYC. (Sorry Strand) Grab a coffee, tea, or beer and browse the 8 foot bookshelves for used literary treasures. I particularly enjoy the humor and childrens sections but they really have it all. And proceeds go to a good cause. What more could you want from a local shop?Note: As far as I know, the kitchen is under construction so they will have a limited menu while renovating.
I love this bookstore. Its run by a charity, staffed by volunteers and relies on donations. People donate their books and this charity sells them to raise funds. The bookstore is a real cool place to hang out. There is a coffee shop with plenty of tables in it. You can find some rare and out of print books in the shelves. They also hold book readings and music events to also raise funds. If you are in SOHO and need a place to get out of the sun, rain, snow and need a moment of sanity, then this is the place.
Quickly turned into my favorite coffee shop to go to. Great people, good coffee, plenty of seating (not many outlets though), uniquely pretty interior, and the books can be cheaper than Amazon.The owner is very curious. Not sure of her name, but shes tall and blonde, is writing a novel, has an inclusive nature, and is very intelligent. If youre out there, please reach out, we can talk about systems and what type of movie you want your novel to be 👍🏼
Unlike any other cafes in the city. Great cause too.
A beautiful bookstore with an extremely important mission. A NYC institution that is welcoming, warm, and a respite for all folks in the area, regardless of socioeconomic status. There are two levels, with tables placed accordingly amidst stacks of books that frame the space well. Theres a small coffee bar in the back, with some decent coffee (although the point is not be a Stumptown - its a non-profit folks). Staffed by volunteers, the store has created a really awesome atmosphere that absorbs you into the space and makes you feel at ease. Definitely check it out and support what theyre doing.
I love it here!! The vibe is so ideal for getting lost in the pages with a cup of coffee. For a used bookstore, the selection is amazing on everything from books to comics.
I liked this place. It was for the most part quiet and inspiring with books all around you :) I didnt like the rolling tables because I kept having to hold it to stay in place and that was a little annoying. It was very inconvenient that there were no outlets available to charge my electronics. People come in with laptops and have nowhere to charge them, I found that largely inconvenient. Other than that, the treats and teas were delicious. Good place to study and do work, as long as all your electronics are charged up! I got a hot chocolate with whipped cream. :)
A favorite bookshop and rallying place.
Do yourself a favor and come here! Their mission is amazing. Going here and spending money always feels good because you know there isn’t a greedy CEO profiting off anything. Everyone who works here is so friendly and the books are affordable. Also donate some books!
This is one of my most favorite places on Earth. It has donated used books at cheap prices. There is a newly arrived book section, a 50 cent book section, dollar book section and book by subject. There is a large degree of serendipity here and I have found books for 50 cents that have changed my life. There is a cafe in the back with coffee, sandwiches, muffins and cookies. There are two unisex restrooms. They also sell used DVDs and greeting cards. They have more expensive rate books in display cases. You can become a member to get a 10 percent discount but it can take months to get the membership card in the mail which is very aggravating. They also have all kinds of events like readings. They sing nursery songs to infants on Tuesday mornings (verify) which absolutely charming. I wish I could live here.
I think this is one of the best places in NYC. The selection of books is really excellent, there is a lot of turnover so there are more to choose from every time I go. The volunteers at the cafe are very friendly. The prices are very reasonable, and you are contributing to a good cause, so go often and buy a lot!
Huge diverse book collection. It is also well organized so it is easy to find what you need. The staff and volunteers are great - knowledgeable, kind and helpful. I world definitely go back. They also have cool spiral stairs if you are into architecture and interior design.
Great bookstore and cafe. Ive been here twice for events, the first one during the presidential debates and the second one was on a Friday evening, for board game night. Both times, I had a great time, met interesting people and the crowd was really friendly. The cafe and book prices are reasonable and Im glad to know its going to a good cause. I plan on hanging out here again.
Cozy place with books, friendly staff and quite good coffee. Recommend!
In the fall of 2016, I visited this bookstore for the first time. I knew right away. If I had a bookstore that I dreamed of, it would be like this.Old spiral staircase, books full of wood scented bookshelves. And the books donated by people who know the meaning of together. These will give you a good inspiration.I donated three books here and drank fragrant coffee. The books here are not the latest version or bestseller. But they are books with special meaning. Like the books I donated to them, we love books that contain good messages.Ive been here three times for ten days during my stay in New York. Yes, the girls in the cafe in the bookstore are really lovely. When I asked about favorite place in New York, They told me High Line Park. Like the bookstore, Its a place of shared value and rebirth, just like the bookstore.I gave them a little gift, and it left us a little joyful memory.This bookstore is the warmest bookstore in New York and is a space that makes me want to be the nicest person.Yes, this lovely bookstore says you can have a wedding. Later in here, I want to get married :)
This book store/cafe had nice places to sit and friendly staff. The space was a bit dirty and had some weird people. Also, someone at this store who controls the speakers has an obsession with (unpleasant) Disney music. Overall, if you have some time to kill, this is a worthwhile place to visit and relax.
A wonderful community bookstore with a large selection of books and ample seating. Housing Works is a great organization and the bookstore is the perfect place to get some work done at the tables or browse the selection of new and used books. A highly recommended place to work, read, and support.
A great selection of books at a bargain price. In addition to current books one can purchase timeless classics that have defined American culture. Dont forget to look at the books and have a conversation with friends over a cup of coffee or tea and snacks in the cafe. The store also hosts literary and community events. You can buy a book and get it signed at an authors reading. The proceeds help people with AIDS in need of housing and community support.
If youre looking for a place to spend a couple hours reading or writing, then this bookstore is for you. Theyve got great coffee, baked treats and lots of table space. I gave this place 3 stars instead of four because there are some drawbacks. Aside from the people who are there feverishly banging away on their laptops, the place is also frequented by a lot of drug addicts. You definitely need to keep a close eye on your valuables because of this.
A photogenic 2 floors with a well stocked cafe, and most importantly a great selection of books at very reasonable/competitive prices. Today I walked away with some beautiful prints of Arthurian tales and Nietzsche. One day Ill be back to scoop up those Penguin Galaxies.
Two stories of reasonably priced, used books in spacious building. Tables to enjoy the ambiance. Cute cafe and friendly volunteer staff. Everything a bookstore should be, including benefiting the homeless.
A great place to contribute to. Good for a small group to meet. The food is always reasonable prices and tasty. I find it is a little different each time I go. Any books I want to donate they are happy to take.
I love coming here because it feels like a library more than a bookstore. Always a stimulating selection of second-hand books to choose from. The cafe in the back makes drinks and nibbles and snacks. They always have different shows going on as well. The last time I was here, I listen to authors read food-related fiction.
I came across this store by chance and decided to go in. Absolutely loved the environment and mission. They have a good collection diverse books at cheap prices. The cafe towards the back made me want to sits on one of the tables and read.
Love the high ceiling, lofted space and there is nothing but greatness in the concept of a happy hour in a bookstore. The classic film idea is great but lacks subtitles in the bustling atmosphere. An extra drink option or two might be nice, but then again, the concept is just beginning. If you can make it down to this not-overly-accessible part of town, do it, and expect even better to come.
Best prices I’ve found in NYC. Tip: if you look patiently, you can find some lost 1st editions quite cheap.
This gem is a bibliophiless playground. They carry wall-to-wall of used books for hours of perusal. There are some great finds at very acceptable prices. The place itself is very comforting and great to just hangout, get some tea (there is a cafe in the back) and dive into a great book. Did I mention this is a non profit with all proceeds going to charity?Also, this bookstore gets booked up for lots of special events - weddings, engagement parties, birthdays. So double check the hours before you pay a visit.
Love this bookstore. All the proceeds go towards ending AIDS- and what a great book selection to boot. Been coming here for over a decade- great place to work or meet friends, and good snacks. One of few cafes that offer beer/wine and had a beer while getting some work done the other day.
Ive visited Housing Works bookstore for many years. They get hundreds of books in donations a day but few copies make it to the store shelves. They sell proofs which are clearly marked not for sale. The store surroundings is full of drug addicts etc. There is a rude, nasty, racist young male employee from New Zealand who thinks he is the manager and threatens customers, even a former manager said he is out of line. The food in the cafe could be improved. The new management has made the store better from a year ago but more needs to be done.
Very aesthetic
Best Book store- New, Used, Collectors editions. Special place.money goes to donations
It’s a gorgeous space with some awesome books at great deals. Plus, it’s for a good cause. The coffee shop was delicious, and their chocolate chip cookie was amazing! Highly recommended!
Heart warming hospitality and definitely good environment for a bookstore. Love the staff and they’re all super friendly! Awesome place for calm and relaxing afternoons/evenings and great for meeting up with friends. Food is also very good!
One of the best bookstores Ive been to in NYC! They have lots of great used books for $5-$9. The selection is awesome! Super friendly stuff. There is a cafe also.
Great inexpensive books as well as comics. DVD, CDs (sorry...no cassettes for you nostalgia freaks out there may be records (I genuinely never look for records because I come here for the 2 impeccably clean unisex private restrooms thatll make the entire trip here (even if you dont purchase a $1 novel or comic book,they will not te) you to leave...because I tend to buy the cheap stuff and read the comics online for free! And if I forgot to mention before that all items are donated by good people and fight to end homlessness! You cannot beat that; cheap media and expensive obscure literature is helping someone get back on their feet..
Beautifully spacious and equipped with a cafe that sells a variety of caffeinated products and wraps. It is 100% non profit independent bookstore that holds various events like trivia nights and book signings. It is not far from Spring Street and once you step in there youll notice just how many bibliophiles call this one of their favorite pastimes. There are plenty of tables and chairs locate near the coffee bar and it is convenient for readers and writers with laptops or pen and paper who want to have their own space.
I love this cafe/bookstore so much. I attend their yearly marathon reading of a Christmas Carol, which is really the beginning of the holiday season for me. The book selection is great, and all proceeds go to help fight homelessness and HIV in the city.
Always love coming here to check out some books, get some coffee and work/read. This place has some great finds if you know where to look. I will def recommend this place to anyone who loves books and like the whole atmosphere of an old bookstore.
This is such a great place to study. The balcony area is awesome (although there are no power outlets up there) and the community is so great. The space is just incredible. Sometimes busy but you can normally share a table with someone.
This is a great little bookstore. The best part about this bookstore is that it’s tucked away in a quiet block in Soho (for Manhattan standards). The bookstore is welcoming and the dark wood makes you wander through the books even longer. There’s also a small café in the back corner and the staff is usually helpful and allows one to easily browse. I was lucky enough to also check this place out over the summer at my friends’ wedding. They picked this place to not only have the ceremony, but to hold the reception. The wedding was beautiful and the food served up was impressive! There was just so much delicious food, from the appetizers to the dessert course (which was a huge stack of gourmet cheeses!). Not only was the wedding gorgeous, but the venue was equally lovely.
It has a nice variety of books and LP vinyls, good and dedicated staff, nice cafeteria but the prices are biting. For thrift-shop, where they are getting everything for free the prices cant be that high - higher than in Strand book store and 10 times higher than in Salvation Army stores.
Great staff, pretty good coffee and at a reasonable price. It is $1 to refill your coffee and the workers are all volunteers. Its a neat place and is a nice environment to get away from the craziness of the streets. There are lots of tables and bathrooms here too which is a plus.
My friend took me there for the first time. I inmediately loved the atmosphere. Some people were working on their laptops, others having some frugal breakfast, others were reading,we were playing a card game...everything surrounded by all these wooden shelves and cozy furniture. Im looking forward to go back!
Went for a Moth event! Really cool space. There is a cafe and tons of books.
Housing works was a ‘stumbled on’ find in Soho. Housing a cafe and second hand book shop with all genres and plenty of gem finds!They regularly host ‘meet the author’ functions and are serviced by blessed volunteers.Thank you for creating an amazing space in Soho!Highly recommend to sit in, browse or buy your next great book.
I came here in the day and at night for The Moth and both visits were amazing. I never ever leave reviews but really liked this place! Great vibe, lovely staff and they support wonderful causes. It also smells like old books so its kinda great!
Really great bookstore! I dont know if it was luck or what, but within minutes I found 3 books that I wanted to buy! The staff is friendly and easy to talk to. If I ever visit New York again, I will definitely go to the Housing Works Bookstore!
Wood worked bookshelves with neatly sorted and arranged by subject matter. Cool little cafe included. Good place to pickup a book or spend time reading a book with coffee. Usually crowded. Books somewhat dear.
I was there on a Saturday night because there was a wedding. There was about 85 guest, no Minister, and a light fwssood Menu. I was totally surprised and delighted. They were very creative, and the space was used wisely. The DJ was in the back of the bookstore and the music flowed out towards the front. Was a unique experience for me. The bookstore served as a very quaint untraditional back drop.
What a beautiful place, with a neat selection of books. I was first here five years ago for my nephews wedding (yes, they do events, and they do them so well!), and I was hoping to get back. I finally went back as a customer a couple of weeks ago, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Great place with a lot of books on various topics at very reasonable place. The Café is nice with lot of room to seat and a good selection of food and beverage. Ah, and their chocolate cookies are awesome !
Really fun collection to explore with great prices!
I came across this store by chance and decided to go in. Absolutely loved the environment and mission. They have a good collection diverse books at cheap prices. The cafe towards the back made me want to sit on one of the tables and read.
I love this place and find myself popping in here even if only for a few minutes if Im near. The simple way to start off is to call it as it is--a great reasonably priced used bookshop. Its also a reasonably priced cafe (with alcohol). Youre not going to get anything crazy fancy here, but its solid for sipping and flipping pages of great reads. Ive also asked to share tables with people when it gets busy and have met some great folks. They have some light food fare that can also tie ya down for a bit (though I do love going to the Soho Halal Cart down the street). Most importantly, all their profits go to a good cause--helping folks in the NYC area with AIDS. They also have a schedule of events they out on during the evenings, The Moth Story Slams anyone?!Feel free to grab a gratis condom or two on your way out. Play it safe NYC!
Very cute! Love that you can bring in your books and the ones they have are so cheap. The cafe inside has great sandwiches but limited seating though when it isnt busy totally worth it.
Ive gone to this book store twice, and in total Ive bought 15 books for about $30. If that isnt a reason to love this bookstore, the staff gladly will help you, and didnt say anything to me when I used my skateboard to hold my books, other places do. Also, there was a book that came out in September 2015, and I was able to find it, brand new in this bookstore for .50 cents in October 2015. I have yet to go to a bookstore that can compare to these prices.
Such a wonderful place with a wonderful mission. I went for an event but will be going back to browse. All the books are donated-- but theres a great selection!-- and all the staff are volunteers so all the money goes to supporting the mission of combating AIDS and homelessness.
Housing Works Bookstore has long been a staple of New York City laptop-at-a-café life. So much so that somewhere along the way, they stopped providing outlets for people. A good idea for the business, not great if youre looking to get some serious work done.The events here are fantastic, so keep an eye out for their calendar. The interior of the space is charming, with a second level that wraps around the store.My only complaint after all these years is that the bathrooms never seem to really improve. Theyre a bit in disarray and could use some remodeling and deep cleaning.
Great place. Miss the cafe... hopefully it will be back soon.
I love Housing Works as a bookstore. Ive found many wonderful volumes here for a low price, and you cant beat the cause. Ever since Ive been whining about needing new and different places to write, many people have suggested the cafe here as a suitable place. I was skeptical because, in my times visiting here, I did see tables and chairs, but not much near a wall where outlets might reside or even people working on laptops. I saw it as more a place to sit and drink coffee and eat a scone before buying more books.Still, I heard that the place had free wifi, so I decided to give it a closer look. Yes, the wifi is real, which is good, and there are a few tables by some outlets. Though I talked to an employee and he informed me that they dont encourage people to plug in and they wish you wouldnt.So I can only give the cafe 3 stars though the bookstore gets 5. Split the diff and call it 4.I could see myself popping in here for some solitary writing. Maybe if I was heading to or coming from an event in the area or waiting for a friend. It just wouldnt be a destination.
Warm library with a coffee shop inside. You can grab a book from the shelves and read it while enjoying your drink. You can also buy comics.Too much propaghanda for my personal taste, and less books than libraries nearby, but the combo books + drinks is worth the visit.
This place triples as a bookstore, coffee shop and performance venue. Their selection is eclectic and always varies so you never know what you may find. They also host parties, literary talks from authors and performances so check their events calendar. Since theyre a nonprofit, the proceeds go to a great cause so dont feel guilty buying a number of books.
Cute little cafe and bookstore. Plenty of seating, and free wifi. Although, there are no outlets, so not somewhere to post up all day with your computer. Great coffee and friendly employees.
Great selection of books and a very comforting, warm atmosphere. Employees seem very helpful, and if Im not mistaken, all the books are the result of donations. Good stuff!
Great place with amazing prices. There is a good amount of seating which is great some sections could have more books but are as most books comes donated I understand. I think more people if viewing this should donate their old or used books.
Highly recommended used bookstore & coffee shop. Excellent selection of books, very reasonably priced & fine coffee/simple pastries. Mission: to support those living w HIV-AIDS & homelessness.
Best bookstore in the city. With the added bonus of being a non-profit. Theyre selection is thorough. Please bring any gently used books for donations. I sound as if I work there, but Im just a huge fan of this place. Oh, and they have readings, weddings and The Moth so check out the website.
Such a warm, positive space, with several touches that make it feel cozy. To add to that, Housing works has a wonderful mission: to end the duel crisis of homelessness & the HIV/AIDS epidemic (i.e. activism & volunteer work)From the gender neutral bathrooms, to the welcoming staff & volunteers - housing works is a very open place. The also host several events throughout the year, like moth story slams & author talks.All in all - its wonderful....especially if you wanna escape for an hour and read a book and drink some tea.
Great books. Also a fun place to get engaged ;)
Great place to sip on some tea while reading a book. They host a variety of special events - such as readings for the Moth - on occasion. The bookstore cum cafe is also a wonderful non-profit venture. According to their website, they are staffed almost entirely by volunteers and 100% of their profits go to Housing Works which provides housing, medical, prevention, support services for those living in New York.
I wish I could frequent here more often!! Ive been to several Moth events and of course have gone in to book shop. What an amazing place. All the books are donated and all profits benefit those affected by AIDs. Completely volunteer-run too!
This is an amazing bookstore with great finds and really good prices. Books are mostly organized well, considering its a used bookstore. It has a unique feel and welcoming atmosphere.
My favorite used bookstore in NYC. Great cafe in the back. Friendly staff. They have amazing concerts and readings. First weekend of the month the whole store is discounted. Plus all proceeds go to a great cause.
The shop has a great selection of books, albums, DVDs, etc and all very well organized. Plenty of places to sit and enjoy items from their cafe at the rear of the shop. Certainly worth a trip.
Smoke and mirrors by Neil Gaiman - welcome to the world of Neil Gaiman, a world where the impossible is possible...4.01.2021DIGNITIES:Original presentation of the material, interesting stories, unique atmosphereDISADVANTAGES:The abundance of obscene language spoils the impressionHello, my friends! Good luck to all!I admit that my acquaintance with the work of Neil Gaiman began not so long ago, although I heard a lot about him. Gaiman is called a wizard, and its hard not to agree. After American gods, I wanted to read other works of the author.Perhaps the book Smoke and mirrors I would recommend reading to all fans of the famous Englishman-postmodernist Neil Gaiman, primarily because of the indescribable and unique atmosphere.
Books at fantastic prices? Profits go to charity? Major, major dirt cheap annual sales? Oh and a great lineup of events, whether it be music, comedy, a talk or what have you? I really cant say a bad word about this store. Love it!
Amazing atmosphere. They had an event series called drunk education and most recently I attended roasts of great literary men. It was funny! Love the spot it has cozy vibes.
Spent less than $10 in a Lester Bangs book and a 70s Japanese graphic novel (both used but in great condition)! Great selection, worth paying a visit -Its nice to help their efforts to educate youth about AIDS.
I ordered a book from their Amazon store - tracking said it would take 10-14 days and it arrived in two, and in great condition. They have a great cause and overall seem like a wonderful organization!
This place is amazing definitely gonna visit again be it for the books or the short stories
Probably the only bookstore where you can enjoy a beer and read books (something which is fairly common in Tokyo). Great coffee and sandwiches plus a great company of books. I highly recommend this place.
Beautiful multi-level proper bookstore, a well-organized, wide selection of used books, with a lovely, helpful staff. Remember to be sweet to them (of *course* you will!)--theyre volunteers. 💜
They sell used books in good status and its relatively cheaper to retail price (8$ dollars instead of 17.99$ retail). Theres a cafe and you can sit and study. Limited tables, you most likely will have to share it.
A great place to come too relax theres a cafe in side great selection of books and comics. Also they get some good classic books like the drama bums by Jack Kerouac the original copy for 50 bucks plus theres a good amount more.
Really good for working. The big space makes it not too loud, and its a nicely decorated room. I got there early so there was no problem finding a place, but shortly afterwards it was impossible. They dont have plugs for the laptop, unfortunately (hence the 4 stars)
Relaxed and friendly used bookstore, two floors, with a sandwich counter. (2nd floor is really a balcony around most of the first floor, which makes the first floor feel open and spacious). Dont miss the rarities by the checkout!
Best bookstore in the city with great events!
The staff at this bookstore sure know how to put on great events! I always have a good time here whether its for a book signing, a concert, a panel, or just shopping. Its a wonderful place!
This little shop has great coffee and a great atmosphere to just sit down and read a book. Definitely check out the second floor seats. Strongly recommend checking this place out for just a relaxing break in the busy city.
I’ve always dreamed of getting married at a bookstore or at a library. Housing Works in SoHo does events — including weddings and book launch parties. This place... I fell in love with its beautiful design and impressive book selection. I could live there. I could truly live there. When I picture Carlos Ruiz-Zafón’s Cemetary of Forgotten Books, I pictured a place just like this, only creepier. This place inspired me to create The Glass House (won’t go into detail). Indie bookstores are the place to be. Great way to support a local business AND your favorite authors. Don’t hesitate to give it a whirl. You’ll want to marry the place, never mind your partner. Oh... and the café is also amazing. Their hazelnut coffee is to die for!
I had an absolutely fantastic time here. The ambience was magnificent and the ones in charge of organizing were very helpful and very courteous. If you were booking for an event oh, you should definitely consider this place.
Great priced used books. I love that they have a cafe to sit in and browse books before purchasing. They also have really cool rare books that are awesome to have even seen.
This bookstore is a great place to hang out, read and have coffee. It has a good selection of books. Definitely a not so touristic place worth visiting while in NY.
I love this place. Its a great place to sit down and read or work for a bit. They have a nice selection of food at the cafe in the back, including tea, paninis, and delicious chocolate croissants. Love the vibe.
Good place to people watch. Pretty decent coffee!
Amazing atmosphere with this nice aesthetic. Books are cheaply priced and all donation based. Everything goes to a great cause. Absolutely love this store.
Get lost in House Works floor-to-ceiling book displays, in their spindly staircase or even in their tantalizing cafe menu. For the hipster-esque independent bookstore lover, Housing Works is not only a place worth visiting, but its a place worth nesting in, curled up with a good read and a steaming cappuccino.As if their wide selection, great prices and old-timey ambiance werent enough, their mission statement is in allegiance with fighting AIDS... so your know your money is going towards a good cause.My favorite part about Housing Works? Its one of the only places in NYC where I stepped in at felt at home right away.
This place is mighty cute and seems like it can be the location of a rom-com!! I enjoyed walking around and seeing all those friendly faces. There wasnt enough seats for me to stay that long though. The second floor is mighty cramped. I had some awkward encounters when I was trying to squiggle past people who were seriously reading their books or scribbling in their journals. I will definitely come back next time to explore more.
Nice used bookstore with a reasonable selection and friendly staff. Good pastries and coffee. Great place to hang out & work at the tables when youre in Soho.
Great books, great ambiance, really fun, friendly staff. I loved the architecture.
Its great. Maybe my place to stay for ever. You can find almost everything to survive. Books, tips, colors, material to make Dreams happen! Its not a 5 🌟 because they close 6pm
Nice coffee and good for working. Love this place
Ive been patronizing Housing Works Bookstore for a number of years. My wife turned me on to them, and I have been able to procure many obscure CDs and books. Im aware that the money that I spend there is used to help find a cure for AIDS and, house the homeless. Thats a winning combination.
Great place doing great things. Check out their Mother story slams, soooo good!
Neat old place with lots of book selection. Coffee area offers limited seating. We found it listed on sites as one of the best bookstores in NYC, and not sure it qualified as that for us.
I always come here for one book and leave with five. Its a great place to while away time, check out the latest reads or just browse old friends. Thanks to this place Ive misplaced my library card. The only drawback the slightly annoyed look on the staffs faces when you try and ask them for help. That and their tendency to giggle at each other when youre immersed in browsing.
Seems that you leave New York when you enter this place. Everybody is relaxed, friendly, you feel at home immediately. Even if you just came for a coffee or to use the restroom or the WiFi, you will stroll around and discover one or more cheap books which you buy and which gives you the feeling to belong to a community of good people..
A comfortable and welcoming place with an inspiring history. Good used book selection. Open seating area where you can grab a coffee and rest your feet while walking SoHo.
Simply gorgeous - the institution, the people, the atmosphere! I enjoy supporting them through spending time there, its also an inspiring place to work and have a coffee.
Didnt try the coffee but the place is amazing. It has carts in which you can find $1 used books. Also, every first weekend of each month theres a 30% discount on all books, and that is without mentioning that most (if not all) the books are cheaper than the price they would have in other stores. People who work there are volunteers
Ive gone for readings, signings, and just to browse. Every experience has been worthwhile; its a casual, laid-back crowd with unpretentious employees and friendly baristas. Sit down with a cup of coffee and flip through a novel — they wont care how long you stay.
I really enjoy hanging out in this place. I came here with my 7-year-old son and and old friend. My friend and I sat and talked over coffee and food while my son read and read. My son took a break to eat some too. I could spend hours here, especially when its cold outside.
One of my favorite bookstores in the city located in Soho. Great prices! Great books and the staff is very friendly. Awesome spot to go with a friend or by yourself and discover new treasures.
Seems like a nice place to plant yourself at one of the tables for hours and hours with no one really caring if you buy another latte or not. Grim what it looks; chairs are not cushioned and little hard to sit on for longer than an hour... I only strolled through the shop to find a good collection of 2nd hand books such as the Anne frank biographies by Melissa Müller or Francine Prose for each 8$. The science and medicine section do not really hold real science or medical books. Just a lot of pseudoscience and life advice books ... PLUS is there is free wifi which is locked so you have to ask for the password. DOWNSIDE is that there are groups of very chatty and loud people , not very good if you require a quiet environment to work...
Just the best. Have you been wandering around New York wondering where the people with brains and substance are? Theyre here, leafing through the shelves of books, enjoying lovely snacks from the little stand, and getting a warm feeling that all the profits go to a GREAT cause. (Meanwhile, dont miss comedy night here. These unknowns are frequently funnier than the pros.)
Such an intimate lovely spot! Small but nice selection of used books at reasonable prices with a staircase, cafe, and little tables scattered throughout.
It’s truly great to be here!
Great ambiance, wonderful community bookstore. Found an inexpensive sci-fi book, got a coffee, and spent a very relaxing hour here!
Errantic hours. I took a 20-minute walk over to the store, only to learn that it had closed early with no advance notice.Update: I did in fact check the events section on the stores website (as the owner suggests). No events were listed for the date in question (3/23), and yet the door was being barred by store workers an hour prior to closing time.
Used books, great coffee. Two of lifes absolute necessities. Tables to eat and drink at, or to read at, or to be with friends at, or even at which to forget that one never should end a phrase with a preposition...
This is so amazing! A used cheap bookstore CAFE, (yes I said cafe!)! I bought a random used book for 1$!! It was in perfect condition, and the staff was so helpful! If I could, I would give it more stars!
Total reviews rating 4.7
199 Reviews for Housing Works Bookstore 2023:
Review №1
2021-10-14I was the photographer at a recent wedding there and it was such an amazing experience. They accommodated me and my team as if we were also guests at this wedding. Which resulted in fantastic photographs and coverage of everything I needed for the couple. Atmosphere is great, drinks were great, food was delicious and not overwhelming. Staff were super friendly to me and my team and made sure we were fed tons of appetizers to get us through the night.10/10 coming back to buy some books and drink some coffee here next time Im in town! Cheers from Chicago!
Review №2
2021-04-09This is my Soho oasis. It really has everything. First 100% of the profits to to fund Housing Works lifesaving services. The staff is mostly volunteers, and are so warm and friendly. The space inside is huge! two stories of books, lots of very sturdy tables, great chairs. Not very many electrical outlets, so bring a well charged device. The selection of books is always extensive. The coffee is fresh and strong.
Review №3
2022-07-27Its kind of a library, and you can read all kinds of books and have all types of genres available. All age groups. It feels like I am in a Harry Potters Library. It has its own cafe and is reserved only for readers its a heaven for the book readers
Review №4
2022-06-20I love this bookstore. It feels like one of the old ones that have been all over NYC just a decade ago. It really invites to grab a book, get one of their great coffees and sit down for a while.
Review №5
2022-04-13Loved it nice people and love the books and other products.
Review №6
2022-07-13Nice bookstore you can buy a lot here
Review №7
2019-12-16Wish I could give six stars. Such nice people, such an authentic vibe within the space, and a surprisingly strong selection of titles for a store dependent upon donations. They must be doing something great on the sourcing side as well. Prices are excellent value but reflect the need support the mission. And the decor and utility of the space itself is well designed and well organized as a community space. Please visit and support.
Review №8
2019-11-27While there wasn’t an exhaustive collect. There was an exhaustive collection of interesting people. I tried to take photos of the space sans people but it was impossible.Definitely a study & chill space. Also have the side benefit of sending my book & coffee money somewhere helpful.
Review №9
2020-12-27Absolutely wonderful cozy, classical style book store. Always worth a trip, if by the neighborhood.Never disappointed, besides having a rather large selection of books.And always surprised in finding a forgotten favorite of my early days in training.Most highly recommended 🤙😎💜💙💜Oh yeah, and the staff/volunteers are very friendly and enormously helpful.Forever love bookstores & knowledge.Absolutely Love 💜💙💜 KnowledgeDo Like 👍👍👍 If you do, too
Review №10
2018-04-09My wife Amy Werbel held a book launch party here for her new book, Lust on Trial. It was the perfect location. The staff was incredibly helpful -- they sold books, tended bar, and assisted with technology issues. Highly recommended as an event space.