1 Bleecker Street, NY

When I lived in New York City, one of my favorite neighborhoods for bar hopping and hanging out was the Bleecker Street/Bowery area, and during a recent pandemic-era visit (when I also discovered my favorite dive Bleecker Street Bar had closed, alas), I stumbled across this sliver of a bookshop. Though it might be small, it packs a punch and it’s worth checking out if you’re in the area.

The “$1 Book” cart out front got my attention, as dollar book carts always will, and the shop front is adorned with all kinds of colorful street art. Inside you’ll find the one room of books (about the same size as some studio apartments I’ve lived in) is pretty packed, focusing on literary (both newer titles and older editions of classics) and art and design titles, although there’s a mix of other offerings like music, film, politics, the occult, comics, belles-lettres, and of course a section for books about New York City. What NYC bookshop wouldn’t?

The literature and art books are the kind you’ll find off the beaten path. This is a long, long way from Barnes and Noble. The titles here have a bit of an edge, leaning toward modern voices, non-mainstream, and hard to find creators, including some zines and chapbooks and pamphlets. The kind of stuff you just don’t run across elsewhere, which is always cool to see. The collection has a curated feel. Some of the rarer books are in glassed displays near the desk inside the door, and the small room is split into two aisles with a small display island near the desk.

I only had time for a quick browse but what I saw definitely made think this shop is the kind of cherry on top of an already unique and non-typical neighborhood, one balanced between its rougher past and the chokehold of commercialism along nearby Houston. And since it’s already in a neighborhood I like, you can be sure I’ll be back. I recommend you seek it out too!

Atmosphere — A tiny unique shop full of one-of-a-kind literature and art titles. It has the feel of a DIY pop-up book sale that decided to stick it out long term.

Quality — The books range from brand new to older the-only-one-left paperbacks, but nothing was in bad shape.

Quantity — They have a load of books packed into just one room, with carts out front for the spill-over.

Diversity — This shop leans more toward literature, the arts, and a scattering of social issues, politics, etc.

Affordability — The books were all fairly priced, some reduced and some around the usual label price, with an obvious increase for rarities. There were $1 book carts out front too.

Amenities — It’s a tight shop so you’re there to browse. But they do buy books as well.

Location — Right on the corner of Bleecker and Bowery, near a slew of great bars and cafes.

Customer Service — I didn’t interact with the one staffer but that’s just fine by me.

Overall — This tiny shop is packed to the gills with unique books and artistic offerings, and in a neighborhood with a lot to offer, there’s no excuse not to swing through and check it out the next time you’re in the Bowery area. Like most of the cooler shops in NYC, it’s small but it’s mighty.