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Housing Works Bookstore Cafe

Housing Works Bookstore Cafe

Café, Used Bookstore, and Event Space$$$$
SoHo, New York
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9.1/10
1,210
ratings
  • Stars
  • Stars
    The experts at Time Out New York and The Corcoran Group recommend this place
    • Time Out New York
    • The Corcoran Group
  • Tips
    Suri R.
    "Free wifi, good coffee, great cause, wonderful volunteers."(14 Tips)
    The Corcoran Group
    "used books and relax in the back café"(8 Tips)
    Valerie L.
    "The Moth Storyslam is excellent."(3 Tips)
    Freddy W.
    "Best bookstore in the city and has free wifi."(12 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon215 Tips and reviews
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  • Colin M. F.heart icon on user image
    Colin M. FordNovember 2, 2014
    Smell of old books, the balcony, people writing books and plays, a very diverse selection, a bustling café, a good cause—New York, this is your bookstore.
    Upvoted Sep 20
  • Untapped Cities
    Untapped CitiesApril 19, 2016
    This wood-lined room at this place has floor-to-ceiling books, many for just a dollar. You can enjoy a beer or wine from its café while you devour your latest find in a bohemian, welcoming atmosphere. Read more
    Upvoted Oct 12
  • Kelly Ann G.
    Kelly Ann GonzalesJanuary 11, 2013
    This place is my happy save haven in Manhattan! The staff is INCREDIBLY nice, the proceeds go to charity, and you can find books for 50 cents! I COULD LIVE HERE. I LOVE IT.
  • Carmen N.heart icon on user image
    Carmen NJuly 10, 2015
    One of the best used bookstores in NYC, and an all around comfortable, inviting space. The selection is usually on par with a "new" bookstore.
  • Neelu R.heart icon on user image
    Neelu RaviFebruary 14, 2018
    This place is all about books and caffeine!! Lovely spot in SoHo. You can sit down and finish reading a book and nobody is gonna bother you! Perfect spot, if you wanna get some me time for yourself.
  • AmateurConciergeheart icon on user image
    AmateurConciergeJuly 24, 2015
    With real estate prices so high, most coffee shops don't even have space to sit. Here's a great, old school bookstore with a tiny cafe and ample seating. Great to meet up or do a little work.
  • PureWow
    PureWowJune 2, 2016
    June 14th: Prepare your best true story for the Moth StorySlam at Housing Works Bookstore (or just watch others tell theirs). No pressure, but it better be good--it’ll be broadcast on the podcast. Read more
  • Eceheart icon on user image
    EceMarch 7, 2018
    Such a cozy and peaceful place. It’s more like a library with some drink options where you can work/study as they have wifi, or read books.
  • Sonya R.heart icon on user image
    Sonya RytovaDecember 17, 2015
    Very nice coffee! Like really cool!) Cute place to talk with a friend or read a good book (actually it's almost the same ;) )
  • Jamie L.
    Jamie LonieJune 25, 2018
    This place has lots of big tables and no-hassle WiFi. Good spot to quickly meet a friend or do some work. They have books too!
  • Howard W.
    Howard WongJune 6, 2013
    Being a New Yorker with the ever rushing lifestyle (for no particular reason) a bookstore like this is exactly what I need to mellow out. A very chill, calming environment to sip on a nice cup of java
  • Kaitlin S.heart icon on user image
    Kaitlin SiemeringSeptember 23, 2015
    Great place to spend an afternoon! Awesome used book collection, pretty good coffee, places to sit, and all proceeds go to a worthy cause!
  • L. T.heart icon on user image
    L. T.October 30, 2019
    Been here 5+ times
    Support them with your money (great cause and volunteers) BUT ALSO they have a ton of free talks and events! Shop and enjoy!
  • Eman A.heart icon on user image
    Eman AbdulazizAugust 30, 2018
    Cozy place with good collection of books on various topics. They have live book discussion every week or so.
  • Kelsey L.
    Kelsey LeeJune 22, 2014
    They have consistently good coffee, and are always hosting amazing events and speakers, such as David Sedaris on 6/3. Get here early for big events though, the line stretches down the block.
  • Time Out New York
    Time Out New YorkMarch 24, 2016
    Ask Roulette is coming to Housing Works this week so come on in and enjoy the hilarious panel of questions that will have you curious and entertained. Thurs, 3/24. Read more
  • Dan C.heart icon on user image
    Dan CastellanoDecember 8, 2019
    Spectacular bookstore cafe in the backstreets of SoHo, when you need to take a load off during a heavy day of shopping
  • Untapped Cities
    Untapped CitiesJuly 15, 2013
    This shop maintains an amazing vibe while promoting good causes. It's staffed entirely by volunteers, and all profits go to a Housing Works, a nonprofit that fights homelessness and AIDS. Read more
  • Ms H.
    Ms HeleneDecember 13, 2012
    Surprisingly, they serve a good and strong soy latte here for around $4. Deep, intense taste. Double roasted perhaps? Served in a pretty small tea cup and saucer. Get to browse used books too!
  • The Corcoran Group
    The Corcoran GroupOctober 8, 2010
    Come here for the eclectic selection of used books and relax in the back café with a delicious selection of teas, coffee and snacks. 100% of the profits go to ending AIDS and homelessness.
  • Christine A.heart icon on user image
    Love the cafe, great place to relax and study or discover the great selection of donated books. Cozy like an old library feel that is inviting.
  • Zii H.heart icon on user image
    Zii HammadAugust 27, 2014
    In SoHo, and cheap? Crazy. Check out the cheap used book carts. The bookstore can be busy, but it stays fairly calm. Staff are also very fun. Volunteer run!
  • Bollare
    BollareSeptember 30, 2011
    Climb a rolling ladder and wheel through the two levels of vintage books or cozy up in the corner with a coffee and a page-turner. This Soho gem is the perfect spot to spend a cold winter day. —Tera
  • Katherine M.
    Katherine M.April 28, 2014
    Someone at a bookstore in New Orleans recommended this to me. Super hip events and a spiral staircase. Looking for something specific is hit-or-miss because books are donated. Read more
  • Polina W.heart icon on user image
    Polina WeitzDecember 31, 2022
    Cozy place with great books and old-school book shelves. Coffee is solid and it's a great spot to take a break at SoHo.
  • Michaelheart icon on user image
    MichaelJanuary 27, 2017
    Need to escape Soho's shopaholics? Order a coffee and take some time out in this spacious yet cozy bookstore, all for a good cause!
  • Jacob F.
    Jacob FordJune 21, 2019
    Been here 25+ times
    Patronize the beautifully renovated café in the back, run entirely by kind & loving volunteers.
  • Chrisheart icon on user image
    ChrisJuly 19, 2019
    Quiet place. Good coffee and croissants. Nice selection of books too.
  • Tino
    TinoMay 2, 2018
    Vintage books, coffee and SoHo atmosphere. What more can you ask for?
  • gmarco ..heart icon on user image
    gmarco .February 21, 2015
    Quirky nice little cafe within a secondhand bookstore. Perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon.
  • SideTour
    SideTourMay 8, 2012
    Great events most every night of the week. Catch an up-and-coming author book party or strike up a conversation with a HW volunteer. A great place to get a local taste of NYC.
  • Abheart icon on user image
    AbNovember 25, 2015
    Great stop with solid collection and decent coffee in the back. Easy place to work, but don't expect power outlets
  • Alexandros P.heart icon on user image
    Nice and cheap coffee for a good reason, free wifi, plenty of books to read and quiet atmosphere!
  • Katerina A.
    Katerina AnnaNovember 29, 2014
    Coffee is not the best, but it's not bad either! Lovely environment to drink your coffee and maybe read a book..? :-)
  • Valerie L.
    Valerie LaiFebruary 6, 2013
    Awesome free literary and music events every week. The Moth Storyslam is excellent. Check their site for details. If you have spare time, sign up to volunteer!
  • Eliane v.heart icon on user image
    Eliane vdBAugust 12, 2013
    Great place to get some work done while enjoying good music, sipping on a coffee. Warning: no outlets available for your laptop.
  • Joury I.heart icon on user image
    Joury IbrahimApril 22, 2018
    If live in NYC, this place would be one of my favorite. Friendly staff, good atmosphere, great area. The coffee was average.
  • Caitlin C.heart icon on user image
    Caitlin ClementsFebruary 10, 2013
    Been here 25+ times
    They host amazing special events. Cozy vibe inside. Check out the collection of uber-cheap uncorrected proofs on sale, and read the next bestseller before it hits shelves officially.
  • Danielle B.
    Danielle BorschMay 26, 2011
    Feel good buying here b/c of the cause. Beautiful dark wood shelves and lots of cheap hidden gems in the books. Open up the covers and find that several are signed copies. Plus they host the Moth!
  • Orion
    OrionAugust 21, 2012
    Would be a really nice place to take meetings; there's something relaxing about loads of books on shelves. Refreshments and food are only decent, but at least they're cheap! (3 of 4 petals via Fondu) Read more
  • Kate R.
    Kate RitchieJanuary 31, 2012
    Nice, quiet place to work. Wifi is great, but make sure you have a full battery charge on laptop: no outlets available. While you are there, buy a book for a great cause!
  • Ray L.heart icon on user image
    Ray LinJuly 3, 2013
    Been here 10+ times
    They book some really awesome events here, from Ask Roulette to Grantland Quarterlys to literary singles nights. Check out the events on their website. Read more
  • Alexis B.heart icon on user image
    Alexis BendjouiaOctober 12, 2015
    Awesome well-priced used bookstore with a cafe, and a selection of records.
  • Katie C.
    Katie ChanpongFebruary 12, 2014
    Great spot for studying or working, but just FYI you can't charge your phone or laptop here. They turned off the outlets to cut down on the electric bill!
  • Timelessnomadheart icon on user image
    TimelessnomadDecember 22, 2015
    Been here 5+ times
    If I'm in the neighborhood I always stop by to browse the cookbooks and design books. Good prices
  • MetroFocus
    MetroFocusApril 12, 2012
    Help Housing Works alleviate the impact of homelessness & HIV/AIDS by volunteering. Whether its volunteering at the cafe or helping out in the book stacks, every effort helps. Learn more on MetroFocus Read more
  • ConZerge
    ConZergeOctober 20, 2013
    Coffee, books, and a good cause? Yes! 100% of their proceeds go to Housing Works: a healing community dedicated to helping those affected by or living with HIV/AIDS.
  • Mike S.
    Mike SingletonMay 20, 2014
    Been here 5+ times
    Great place to have a meeting. Quiet, plenty of seats, and good drink options (coffee, wine, beer)
  • Jess N.heart icon on user image
    Jess NaldoApril 29, 2015
    Good spot to work with decent wifi but no outlets available for customer use, which is a bummer. Great place overall but make sure your devices are charged!
  • Harry R.heart icon on user image
    Harry RaymondNovember 22, 2014
    Free wifi, cheap coffee, good sandwiches and chill vibes. An oasis off busy Houston st.
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