This place is such a sweet lil nugget, please if you visit, just throw your money at this fabulous store. It sells actual used books at very low prices (most books are ~$5) which less and less stores do these days as they opt for moving a shipment of the newest release. Thats fine too, but this is where I go just to get lost, discover 4 or 5 books in their diverse (somewhat random.. or maybe serendipitous?!) selection, divided into sections. That could mean a vintage cookbook, a memior by some person I never heard of, a lesser known title by a favorite author or, indeed -- that big best seller from 6 years ago I never got to, now $4 on paperback. A real gem. If you love to read or just want to feel like you are in New York, GO!

Loved that they had racks of preview copies, but maybe that's just me. I didn't explore for too long but it had an array of books and records and I picked up several intriguing selections without even going that deep into the store. Ambiance was more "basic" than that dusty, cozy used books/record store vibe we may all be longing for these days - but don't let that stop you: their titles are so entrancing I barely noticed anyway. I'll be going back and you will be glad if you go there too. They're open 12-8pm every day, in a neighborhood where you can forget your troubles. So go. Like, now. Before you buy anything else from amazon.

Really disappointed to see a cart of advanced reader copies (ARCs or galleys) for sale in this store. These are unfinished copies of books that publishers have sent them for free and are not to be resold which is clearly stated on the covers. After bringing this to the attention of the manager it was clear that he was completely aware and completely uncaring of his unethical practice. There are so many hard working people that work endlessly to write and manufacture and publish books. This practice does all of them a disservice and shows a complete lack of respect for the publishing industry. Spend your money elsewhere.

One of the last of the great Manhattan used bookstores. Been coming here for years, and there's never been a visit when I didn't see way too many books I wanted. One anecdote that might tell you something about the store: I had moved and there was a period of a couple of years where I didn't visit the store. The day I returned, I was browsing and the owner said, "How have you been?" Except for pleasantries at the counter we had never spoken before, he had been completely unimposing when I lingered in his shop, but had registered me as a customer and was warm upon my return.

Wonderful shop with a welcoming, comfortable vibe. This place was one of my favorite hideaways during my school days, where I would happily get lost for hours. Has a great selection of LPs from just about every genre one could think of, from the obscure to the popular, spoken word to international records, etc. They're always in good condition; I've never had any issues with skipping or bad quality, and they were a great help in boosting my record collection. Staff are friendly and helpful, and are always promoting the fun local events. Couldn't recommend highly enough.

I recently got into reading again, and I have to say this place is amazing. I love getting books second hand and there was a huge variety of genres and topics. There is something for everyone! Take your time browsing to find just the book for you! The books were also very reasonably priced for what you get. I brought 4 books for $23! This place is truly a gem, I will be returning and telling my friends to also visit!

I absolutely love this bookstore. I've been here a few times, and the diverse catalog wowed me every time. The books here are really cheap, too! I adored their section on regional studies and was quite surprised to find a few anthropology review books in there. I also loved their art books. If you're a fan of history, art, music (their section of sheet music was vast), or just like reading, I really recommend visiting!

Do not shop here! This store illegally sells uncorrected proofs, which are for presale purposes only and the store owner gets for free. This means the store owner is directly taking away sales from everyone that works so hard to produce the book. As if that isn’t enough, they are also being sold at high prices. Warning to book publishers: do not send your galleys to this store. As unethical as it gets.

The kind of bookstore you look for when you don’t want to have a plan or a destination or a particular item in mind. Everything seems jumbled, ephemeral, unfocused, but in a good way. Also has a (for New York standards) large foreign language section (primarily French, with some German, Italian, and others). Perfect place to browse on a cold day.

Best thing about the store is they sell uncorrected galleys. Guy who runs the store is not looking to screw anyone, keeps prices low. I sell a lot of books there, they give a fair return particularly in exchange. Store is curated like any good independent bookstore. Almost none of this type of store left. Support it. Amazon will be fine.

There is room for improvement in customer service towards me and my family. We had to exit the store immediately because we felt unwelcome inside the store. Mayors, governors and many public figures preach inclusiveness but I did not experience the inclusiveness message of all are welcome to purchase books here from the store personnel.

Mercer Street Books is a NYC gem. One of my favorite things to do in the city is to step into the oasis that is Mercer Books, take a break from the hustle and bustle and spend an hour or two searching the stacks of art and photography books. No matter what your reading passion is, you'll always make a few good finds.

Convenient location for any student of the ubiquitous NYU, used bookstores of any ilk are small treasures in the bigger-than-thou online cornicopia. Sloppily well arranged, it will take you a bit of time to find your personal favorite here and in the meantime you'll have seen three others that you liked...

Authors, publishers, and book designers DO NOT want their unfinished product sold to the public. The galleys are marked "not for sale" for a reason. They are given for free to give book store owners etc a taste of what's to come. Shame on any store that violates this unwritten agreement.

Really nice store, until the guy overcharged me a book that’s worth $3 online but over $10 at his store, it even says a price “$5.95” behind the book I just didn’t notice any of this beforehand. Really cool spot but I just have had a very bad personal experience.

Absolutely adorable- it reminds me of what an old New York institution looks like or what you’d imagine as a kid what bookstores are like in ny. There’s little art book gems in there, much better than any other vintage book stores. This place takes you back

If you like books you'll love this place. Take your time , somewhere in the poles of books is something you want I got 3 books for half price , a Neil gaiman, an Ernst Hemingway and a third play . You do need a lot of time to just soak I'm the atmosphere.

Loved this bookshop. They have a great selection of second hand books and records, with lots of history, fiction, books on creative writing, poetry, and new books from reviews. It's the kind of place where you can spend hours without noticing.

That I LOVED THIS PLACE! It has such a rich selection of books for all genres. I particularly enjoyed the sections on history and biography/memoirs. There was a bunch of books that I had never heard about that I picked up and look forward

Awesome independent bookstore stocked with vintage books and records. I’ve found so many unique items here on my periodic visits, including hard to find 70s reprints of Cold War action novels in pristine condition for $5 a piece. You can

Best old book store in the city. You can lose yourself while strolling in corridors and encounter an unexpected book waiting for you. The manager is also very decent guy, knows the stuff and friendly not only to you but to the books.

If you need a new read but are on a budget, this is the spot. Not only are the used books affordable, but they are also well maintained, and of a varied selection. There is no way to walk out of this shop without something.

This is everything you want a real bookstore to be: books piled everywhere so your hunt is personal, mysterious hole in the wall vibe, good prices, and a continuous flow of new inventory. I love this place.

My daughter brought me here recently and I LOVED IT. I'm a history buff and found several books on local history and a NY-based novel set in the early 1700s I'd never seen before. I will go back!

My favorite kind of bookstore! It's distasted into sections, but not super organized so you can have some fun looking around. Good prices and very nice bookseller. Definitely going back.

It’s always fun to browse the shelves and search through the wide selection. I’m more of a mainstream reader, so I don’t always find things I’m interested in, but I still enjoy visiting!

One of the city's nicest used book and record stores. With an ever changing, eclectic selection to dive into and prospect for gems. Look for the new arrivals section in the record bins.

I love stopping by if I am in the neighborhood. I came across it while strolling one day and it's a go-to for finding rare books, books for a good price, and finding unique records.

Hands down the best bookstore in NYC. Best selection, very good atmosphere and the prices are twice as low as those on amazon, averaging 6$ for a quality book! 100% recommend this!

A small but nice little bookstore to poke around in for interesting books and records. If you want miles of books go elsewhere, if you want to listen to jazz and browse go here.

Solid indie bookstore with a decent selection and pretty universally good prices. While nothing here is a bargain, there is a lot to find and you will not overpay. Worth a visit

One of the last bastions of the NY I discovered 25 years. I am so glad it is still there. I tremble with the fear it goes one day and it replaced by some shinny retail place.

Great little books store with a lot of personality and a friendly owner. Great cool books and wine and beverage selection as well. Many titles not seen elsewhere.

Small store but with great stock. Prices are reasonable. The nicest thing is that Mercer Street Books doesn't have a cafe or even a coffee; It's all about books.

I have been their customer for years, it is a place to find unfindable books and the initiation of ideas. Staff is friendly and helpful Would recommend them

I have a love hate relationship with the chaos of some second hand bookstores. You can't always find what you want, but sometimes you find what you need.

Awesome bookstore with great selection and sort of “artist’s mess” vibe. Especially great selection of biographies and memoirs. It’s a neighborhood gem.

Alarmingly charming and full of so many treasures. The perfect book for you somehow always appears in one of the many looming stacks, like magic!

This is one of my favorite bookstore. You need to be prepared to dig and spend some time. Excellent selection, particularly fiction and culinary.

A bit disappointing. I long for the days when NYC was filled with mom and pop book stores briming with books. Limited volume and selection here.

great experience picked up a few books and a few records at an excellent price it's a store I recommend visiting even if your not in the area

A gem of gems; literally every rack has a special book that I wanted to take home. A New York staple and a must visit if you are in the area

The best bookstore in the city, hands down. Great books, great prices. Good people. And, get this!: They don't sell socks! wowee!

Very nice staff and I always find a really unexpected and interesting read in here. And the records are a draw for any collector

One of the best places to buy books or just browse, awesome relaxed environment great for relaxing and taking a look around.

Treasure trove of books; great selection. Be prepared to spend a lot of time browsing; there are stacks of books all around.

It is awesome that they're still open during this pandemic! Wish they would maintain a regularly updated inventory though

I'm glad places like this still exist in NYC. We passed by it and decided to go in. It's an old school used bookstore.

A cool place with a lot of records and books. Records were more on the obscure side but they had some cool items.

Charming old school bookstore, they also have records. Some stands are a mess but I guess that adds to the charm.

11pm and it's STILL open? Jesus Christ man I gotta chees book that I can't read until I sober up but WOOOOHOOOOOO

Just a great store...low prices..always new stuff..friendly knowledgeable..Great fiction poetry classics history

Sometimes I find very interesting stuff regarding to music books and music scores,psychology books and much more

Cute bookstore with odd selection, I enjoyed browsing but had a difficult time finding books that I'd enjoy.

Such a gem. Spend time in here just browsing and find yourself a book or 2 you didn't expect to leave with.

There are many different old books . I think you can find some books for you. There are big art books too.

Boutique bookstore with surprisingly crowded visitors, still digged something out for personal collection!

It's a place with very specific titles I think mostly North American culture from the 70's and previous.

Perfect balance of quality and eclectic! Hours of well organized media to search through at nice prices

Eclectic selection of old books in near mint condition. Great to browse and easy on the pocket to buy.

great bookstore with a vynil selection as well. staff is friendly and knowledgeable - will go again! ✨

Unpretentious, great selection, fair prices. I wish there were bookstores like this in more places.

Quaint and cozy independent bookstore - great selection of old classics and the newest bestsellers.

Wonderful little book shop. Lots of art and literature. Could easily spend several days in here.

Wonderful little book shop. Lots of art and literature. Could easily spend several days in here.

A classic used bookstore, wonderful for browsing. Has the feel of the old booksellers' row.

Cute little bookshop with lots of well organized used books. Picked up a good one for $2.

Tiny place, full of second hand full price books. Great for college students in the area

Cool hole in the wall. Could be a little more organized, but hey, it's all in the charm!

One of my top 5 bookshops in NYC. Huge selection of art books of all genres and periods.

They do have a lot of old books and vinyl record. They also have valuable books. …

Picked up a copy of Malcom X Speaks here for real cheap—super cool little stop-by.

Full of every kind of book you want. Friendly service. Could stay in there forever

I hope it's still there. Small but jam packed with books, records and post cards.

Buy used books for really low prices but also has many nice discounted books.

Found a cheap book that was a 100 dollars on Amazon, would def recommend

Good/quirky selection. Some sections are better organized than others...

Love, love that store. Thanks for still being here and keeping NYC real.

Charming used book store with a decent collection of interesting topics.

No customer service, they just ignore you when you come into the store.

Cool store but the guy at the register was unwelcoming and rude today.

The place has a huge selection of books to be view and lots of records

A treasure trove. You could spend hours exploring this gem of a store.

If you're looking for a good book deal you're in the right place

Support local bookstore! Great collection of second hand books.

Great selection at great prices. Vinyl records available too

A Walk back in time to a different NY. Tremendous variety.

A big variety of books & very friendly customer service

Great selection, owner was very helpful and friendly!

Great selection of books and records at great prices.

Love this place. Find a reason to go… then do it.

Amazing assortment of books and at great prices!

Great store, excellent prices for used books

Love the smell of books Great selection.

My daughter love it sooo nice…

One of my favorite bookstores.

Lovely book and record store

Great selection of books!

best book store in nyc

best in the city