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57th Street Books
Category: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Bookstores Bookstores [Edit]
1301 E 57th St(at Kimbark Ave)
Chicago, IL 60637
Neighborhood: Hyde Park
(773) 684-1300
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 10 am - 8 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
36 reviews for 57th Street Books
Review Highlights
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"...is the non-academic alter ego of the nearby Seminary Co-op." In 5 reviews -
"...almost anything you can imagine in this cozy basement space." In 8 reviews -
"A lot of good and specialized magazines on arts, society..." In 4 reviews
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36 reviews in English
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Review from David K.
Chicago, IL
4/26/2012
57th Street Books is my favorite bookstore in Chicago!!
I can get lost for days wandering around this place, and I've definitely spent way more time in this store than I originally meant to. They have more books than I can even imagine, and it's a great place to browse or run in to get the specific book you were looking for.
The Staff Recommendations are pretty helpful too. I know I've found a few great books based off these suggestions--the staff is almost always super helpful too. They will look-up any book for you, and if they happen to not have it in stock, they will order it for you right away.
It's a friendly environment and a fantastically local shop that I can't stay away from. I love shopping local, so I can't stay away from 57th Street Books any time I'm in Hyde Park. I love it! It is also the much more charming than it's mostly-daunting sister-store (the Seminary Co-op).
Don't forget to get a membership! I have the membership, so I get 10% off everything I buy for life! It originally cost something like $30 (I think?), but it's definitely been worth it especially since I was a student at UofC and I've saved way more than that over the time I've been buying books here (and at the Seminary, where the membership works too).
I love this store! :-) -
Review from Kathleen M.
Frankfort, IL
2/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
Sigh of contentment, we got to visit another book store. And yes, I loved this one also. It's the ying to the yang of the Seminary Co-op Bookstore, the other sister who is a bit more light hearted. I adore them both.
Today I bought a book here for no reason, just because I have been eying it and thinking about it. I also got a Jane Austen mug that said hello to me. These were slightly frivolous purchases in a glorious playground for book lovers.
Now I have two problems, do I read this book first or the ones I got from the Co-op Bookstore and what hot beverage do I put in my mug?
Thanks to Hyde Park bookstores, even my problems are enjoyable.Listed in: Hyde Park Holiday, Book Babe
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Review from Robert G.
2/13/2012
Remember when Alice got a little too curious and fell down the rabbit hole? And she stumbled onto a wondrous and mystical land full of adventure, danger, and excitement!
Well, 57th Street Books is not dangerous. But it is my own personal Wonderland. I happened upon this amazing underground (literally, underground) bookstore while walking back to UChicago campus from the 55th-56th-57th Street Metra station.
I could literally spend days wandering the shelves, finding hidden literary treasures nestled among the classics, the new and noteworthy, and the downright strange. I felt like Macaulay Culkin in The Pagemaster (except now he's creepy and I'm not), entranced by the wonder and magic of books!
Places like this continue to give me faith that the beauty of the written word will continue to exist even though the Kindles and Nooks of the world attempt to erase it from history. There is magic in reading the printed word, and 57th Street Books helps keep that magic alive. -
Review from Salone B.
Los Angeles, CA
10/7/2011
Racial profiling?! You be the judge.....
Being new to the area I wandered into the store. I saw a sign posted on the door that read "Please check your bags at the front."
I had my backpack with me - laptop inside.
I went to the front counter and stood in line behind one other gentleman. I was greeted with "You need to check your back pack." I received a clothespin in the center of my bronze colored hand. The lady who took my bag commented "Wow. This is heavy." She then takes it behind the counter.
As I browsed the front of the store I noticed a man at a card rack shopping with his laptop bag on his shoulder. I saw another lady at a book rack with her LARGE bag on her shoulder.... Hmmm I thought.... I don't want to jump to conclusions....they were both Caucasian.
Feeling a bit frustrated and just wanting to get to the section I came to see, I went to the information counter to ask about children's book. A lady next to the counter indicated she would take me to the section. Upon my arrival I sat down to enjoy some books.
And then.... there is was another PATRON with a BACKPACK similar to mine on her back. She spoke directly to the lady who checked my backpack upfront and asked about particular children's book. She even turned around to follow the lady with her PACK in FULL VIEW. Guess what?! She was not asked to check her BACKPACK at the front. She was was also Caucasian.
I felt PROFILED. It was time to go.
I went to front asked for my bag and also asked:
"Do you ask everyone to check their bag or just me?"
Response: "We only ask for the large bags."
Me: "Well I noticed several patrons with large bags in this store. And I thought that is very interesting..."
There was no response to my comment. I felt that I should be toting a civil rights sign.... I felt discrimination. It's ugly but I know it and it sucks. This store has left a bad taste in my mouth.
EQUAL TREATMENT FOR ALL is necessary. Bag check my @#$$. -
Review from Marilynn L.
Los Angeles, CA
3/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
I really like quaint bookstores and this one looks like it's quaint but it's actually really well-stocked,and large. The bookstore keeps expanding as you walk back (there are rooms upon rooms) with great books as well as reviews by NYT and the staff! Has every bit of small library feel and intimacy and community as well as amazon.com-ish up-to-date-ness!
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Review from Allan M.
Chicago, IL
11/18/2011
I'm very glad bookstores like this still exist, as I'm probably one of those people who probably won't get an e-reader or Kindle/Nook like device(lol) for a good while, if ever. Great selection of books, and agree that I like the balance between casual and more intellectual stuff.
Was nice to return here, after years of not having a chance to stop in a few weeks ago. And to the credit of whatever employee was working(though I doubt they do this too often for most customers, and moreso ones who don't live in the neighborhood), she didn't require me to check the very small bag I had the 2nd time I went in the store that day. The bag check rule is slightly annoying, but it won't stop me from visiting here. -
Review from Tina B.
1/20/2009
Walking down the stairs and through the little door here makes me feel like I'm entering some kind of speakeasy.
But instead of encountering booze-soaked skanks, a cover or a broken bottle battle, I am greeted by friendly tomes about subverting the dominant paradigm and movies and important things like that, cool $10 smarty pants magazines and stuff with big words inside that I have to remember to look up when I get home - all of which is way more of my kind of party anyway, so cheers!
I have found obscure cookbooks, gifts that make me the awesomest and kiddie books to nurture my sweet boo boo prodigy, too. And they have a really awesome and comfy kids section - thoughtfully designed to produce that little bookworm you hope you earned with all of those hours of labor and whatnot.
It's only a few doors down from one of my favorite places to eat in Chicago and I always leave a little bit sad, wishing I coulda gotten a few more things I probably won't ever discover again. I don't come in nearly enough, and I've got to join the co-op here one of these days. I wish my basement was just like this and that everything in here was really all mine.Listed in: The Southside Center - From…
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Review from Christmas D.
Chicago, IL
5/27/2008
And all this time I thought it was the big-box bookstores that had child-friendly areas conducive to staying awhile! What a cozy little corner to play with toys, discover new books and spend time together. This section is very well-set up in that many of the books are at a child's eye level, even when he is sitting, which encourages him to reach for them and explore on his own.
The guys that work here remind me a LOT of the guys that worked in my dad's record store when I was growing up: friendly but affected, with a slightly holier-than-thou attitude. I'm sure this may be somewhat justified for their general knowledge of books but not so much for the kid's stuff. The ones that one of the guys suggested to us were really st00pid... I felt the need to hip him to some Skippyjon Jones and a little Llama llama;-P (where's Meg Ryan when you need her???). Luckily SOMEONE here knows their stuff 'cause the selection was fantastic. It's almost as though all the crap has been weeded out leaving only the good stuff. I had such a hard time deciding on which of the 10 books I picked for him to get that I ended up getting them all (but, honey...it's BOOKS!).
I didn't get to explore all the grown-up sections too much but from what I did see I know I'm looking forward to going back on my own soon.Listed in: A little something for the…
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Review from Marion P.
Chicago, IL
1/5/2008
A very comfortable and cozy basement bookstore that lets you wander through several low-ceiling rooms. Browsing-friendly, with a smaller, but still comprehensive and well-selected count of books.
Apparently I rate every restaurant by its vegetarian offerings and every bookstore by its philosophy section, so here we go: The philosophy section is tiny, but I still wanted to buy almost every book. Lots of critical theory and contemporary continental philosophy.
Also, this store has the single best magazine selection I have ever seen. I hate chain bookstore magazine shelves because they sell hundreds of magazines that I don't care about. This store offers all the magazines that other stores ignore - magazines you had no idea existed! A lot of good and specialized magazines on arts, society, politics etc. I spent over 20 dollars on magazines I'd never heard of and now would like to get a subscription to. After the year in which so many magazines said goodbye to the declining market, it is great to discover these. What a neat store. -
Review from Anne S.
8/19/2008
This is my favorite bookstore in the world. It just feels so cozy! I used to come here after school with my dad. I loved that they let me charge books to my parents account!
The best part though is the cart near the door that has the best sellers. These are not the self help crap books that make it onto the NY Times best sellers list, but rather good interesting books! I love browsing that section to see what I should read next!Listed in: Hyde Park
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Review from Jorie H.
Chicago, IL
7/30/2011
I had a wonderful experience here today! I was looking for a specific book as a gift for my friend's son. I asked the woman at the front if they had it. As she started to look it up a different lady immediately went back to the kid's section and found me the book. No one had to ask her to do it - she just took it upon herself to do it. After I found another book I checked out. I needed a gift card as well and the cashier asked me if I wanted the books gift-wrapped, free of charge. I chose the wrapping paper from a selection of 5 or 6 they had and she did a wonderful job wrapping them. As she was taking care of me, the other woman immediately stepped up to help a couple who came in after me. Everyone there was very helpful and there was no attitude. I will definitely be getting my books from here in the future.
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Review from Quynh-An P.
San Francisco, CA
10/25/2009
I love bookstores, and well, the boyfriend usually begrudgingly gets dragged to them as a result. However, he actually enjoyed this experience as well. This place is just completely awesome. It's big, but it doesn't feel overwhelming or crowded.
I really love their "staff suggestions" and ended up buying a book suggested for my plane ride back to Seattle. I'd been contemplating getting this particular book, and the staff suggestion just sealed it for me. The best part though, aside from it actually being a really great book? They were giving out "gift books" to those who purchased a staff suggested book. I ended up getting an additional book for free! It was an advanced copy of a book that hasn't come out yet...score! I can't wait to read it and feel like I'm in the know now.
Add this place to the list of another reason why I'd consider moving to Chicago. -
Review from Vincent J.
Chicago, IL
12/24/2010 1 Check-in Here
If you want a place that has employees that aren't just working for a paycheck and trying to upsell you every time you're there, but just love & know books. This is it.
Not to mention it's got the cool underground super secret spot feel to it.
They don't have. They'll get it.
Books you didn't know you wanted to read. They'll find it for you.
Cool events. Check.
Places the president of the United States would go to. He has.
Ability to buy a book, walk a block and find a cool place to eat & read and not feel like some wanna be hipster. Yep that too.
Basically all around awesome-sauce as far as book stores go.
I gladly buy my tomes here instead of the big boxes or Amazon. The world would be a worse place without this store & of course; it would make pandas cry. -
Review from Tom D.
Washington, DC
3/31/2008
4.5 stars
If you go to the Seminary Co-Op Bookstore, you might as well also go to 57th Street Books -- they are sister stores -- and combined they are 5 stars. 57th has a better selection of food and cookbooks. -
Review from Gina L.
10/19/2008
I'm always hit by a rush of nostalgia whenever I visit 57th Street Books. =) Having gone to high school right around the corner, I spent countless hours here....and the bookstore's feel and charm hasn't changed after all these years.
Once you walk down the entry way's short steps, you'll be welcomed by 57th Street's cozy bookstore lobby:
-New books in front
-Stationary, cards, and a rack of Moleskins to your left
-The cashier, magazines, and friendly, knowledgeable staff to your right
From there, the bookstore divides into a number of different brick arched passageways, nooks, and crannies leading you to fiction, history, travel, food, the kiddie's corner, etc. There's also a round table and chairs where you can sit and read. I've never been ashamed to plop down where I am and go through a pile of books though. If you're in the Hyde Park area and buy books frequently, it might be worth getting a membership/stock - you'll get a 10% discount on your purchases.
Man, I've got warm fuzzies just writing about this lil' place. -
Review from Angela C.
Washington, DC
2/14/2008
The only thing that Hyde Park has down is book stores (go figure). This place is like a hole in the wall. Built in a basement with at least a dozen different little nooks, it's almost impossible to not get lost if not from the floor plan well then lost in the amazing variety and interesting looking books they carry. If books weren't so damn expensive I'd probably stop here everyday after school, but alas I buy used books from Amazon when I have the funds.
Plus like so many bookstores in Hyde Park, Its a co-op...Which means if you love it you can by a piece of it and get books at a discounted rate. -
Review from Troy H.
Chicago, IL
7/24/2011 8 Check-ins Here
The only bad I can say about this place is that I almost hit my head on the door coming in and I almost ALWAYS hit my head on the overhead pipes by the fiction section. Other than that, this place will continue to get my business. I look books up on Amazon and come buy them HERE. Friendly staff, a great location,and a GREAT temptation that my wallet and my bookshelves and I have to contend with.
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Review from lisa N.
Champaign, IL
10/9/2011
Restores my faith in the printed page. I read about half of my books in digital form now. Going to this bookstore made me resolve to read more paper books. Amazing curation. This is like a beauty pageant for written words.
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Review from Purnima M.
San Francisco, CA
3/9/2008
I''m torn between this and the Seminary Co-op bookstores - both cavernlike, underground treasure troves of books. But ultimately, this place gets my vote for its more approachable and comfortable layout, and for appealing to both my commercial and intellectual sides. I have spent many hours here, getting lost in the stacks, and it never gets boring. On the contrary, each visit seems to pass quicker than the one before. I work really near here, so this is the perfect pitstop on the way to anywhere.
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Review from Janet E.
5/17/2010
This place has a lot of books, similar to major book stores. The fact that the bookstore is located below ground level adds character. They sell post cards and gift cards that are unique to special occasions. There are about five rooms (separated by categories) of books to sort through. Definitely a lot of history in this bookstore! Parking in the area can be difficult because it is located right next to popular restaurants Medici and Edwardo's.
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Review from Zach H.
New York, NY
9/18/2006
This place is the non-academic alter ego of the nearby Seminary Co-op. A bit more oriented to the average consumer/mass market audience, but with taste and a nice indie flair. When the reading material on my coffee table gets old I go here to restock on magazines and other more casual reading type stuff. Prices are a little high, but get a discount by joining the Co-op.
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Review from KT S.
Chicago, IL
11/30/2009
For years I've said that when I die I want to haunt The Book Cellar in Lincoln Square. Now my eventually departed spirit is going to have to divide its time between the north and south side. 57th Street Books is easy to walk past -- it's a tiny door going into a basement and looks like it belongs more in Manhattan than in Hyde Park. When you walk in you're hit by shelves full of interesting books with staff suggestions. The front room is pretty big with tons to look at, but as you look around you see there's another small hallway to the back to more rooms... and more rooms... and then even more. I think there are five total, chock full. It's insane. It's awesome. I totally look forward to serving as their poltergeist.
Listed in: I Believe The Children Are The…, Bucket List, book.geek
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Review from Luke S.
Menlo Park, CA
9/29/2010
A sister to the Seminary Co-Op, the fact that the latter is around the corner is the only reason 57th Street doesn't get the fifth star: anywhere else, it would be an amazing bookstore. Friendly, helpful staff once you've bashed Amazon a bit to establish your indie bookstore cred.
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Review from Lee-Han H.
Chicago, IL
12/23/2005
I just like that they giftwrap. Nothing else facinates me!
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Review from Allison B.
Chicago, IL
8/19/2006
If you are looking to step back in time to a old-style bookstore and find a book that tantalizes your mind, come here and pick out a book. They have monday and wednesday 10:00 am storytime for kids as well. Great little shop!
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Review from Samuel O.
Brooklyn, NY
1/24/2006
Maybe not as complete as the new mega-bookstores but much better selected. The Literature section is many times more interesting and scannable than your local mega.
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Review from Toni D.
1/8/2008
Located in Hyde Park on the Southside of Chicago. I've been going here for a long time. I would go here as a little girl with my dad and spend the evenings reading books and drinking hot cocoa. Which back then the hot cocoa was 25 cents that you would put in a cup. Great bookstore. They sell new books. Very relaxing and comfortable atmosphere.
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Review from Robert L.
Los Angeles, CA
9/22/2005 1 photo
They certainly do have an amazing selection here. I don't like to spend to much time in a store like this because I'll buy too many. I usually have my title in mind, buy it, then split. I spent a little more time in this store than I planned on because it is unique. They are in what must have been a basement apt. at one time. They are divided into 5 small sections(rooms), each room focuses on a different subject matters.
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Review from Ermelinda C.
Chicago, IL
6/13/2010
A hidden gem! Cozy, brick exposed interior, well organized bookshelves, all by topic, including a cute children's corner and play area... The little storefront window does not do justice to the enormous space and book selection of 57th Street Books!
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Review from Ben E.
1/21/2011
While 57th Street Books is owned by the Seminary Coop, it's hardly an auxiliary or an afterthought. This is a fantastic store in its own right, and is a perfect complement to the Coop as it features general interest titles and fiction over academic books. If you put the two together, you've got the best bookstore in the world aside from Blackwells in Oxford, UK, and that is perhaps the highest compliment any store could receive. Go here for the fantastic poetry, fiction, science fiction and mystery, and children's books. Feel free to peruse their exceptional periodical selection, not to mention cookbooks and non-academic nonfiction choices. This isn't a huge store, but they curate the collection with an eye towards comprehensiveness as well as quality. This isn't Borders, nor should it be. The staff truly cares about books and you can find almost anything you can imagine in this cozy basement space. And hey, if you don't see it, they'll happily order it for you (and I guarantee it'll arrive quickly).
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Review from Allison E.
Chicago, IL
5/2/2009
There is something to be said about a cramped, harry potteresque, basement book store. It not a Barnes and Noble. Its little book cave for people who truely love the written word. Also check out 57th street book's older and more educated sibling, the Seminary Co-op. 57th is more family friendly and certainly preferable when you just need a good read and aren't in the mood for the braininess of the co-op.
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Review from Sonam V.
Chicago, IL
7/9/2005 3 photos
Books. Books. And More Books. 57th Street Books is a great place to find that old classic or the new bestseller. This basement find is as much of a part of the University of Chicago as the world renowned Regenstein Library. The staff is great and will help you with anything you need, whether it's a copy of Shakespeare's timeless Romeo and Juliet or a French language guide. The Harry Potter window is a colorful addition to the sidewalk. Parking is hard to find, however, and the CTA or Metra would be your best bet.
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Review from Benji J.
San Francisco, CA
4/3/2008
Great bookstore, hate the low ceilings though! I could spend hours here, it's so cozy, and they have a great selection
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Review from Yohance T.
Chicago, IL
4/27/2011
One of the best books in the city of Chicago. I have been coming to this store for years. As others have said it is very inviting and comfy. The employees here know about books and are helpful without being pushy at the same time.
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Review from Mike T.
Chicago, IL
10/14/2010
This used to be (and I want to stress USED TO BE) one of my favorite bookshops in Chicago. But what happened the other day was outrageous and I will NEVER go there again. I went there to browse for books. I already had a bag of books which I had bought at another bookshop next door (Powell's Bookstores, which is a great place). I was wearing my motorcycle leather jacket, and I had my helmet in my hands. A lady asked me to check my bag of books at the counter, after looking at me as if I was a beggar. Fair enough, pretty standard (the checking of the bag, not the looking at me as if I was a beggar). I leave the bag and start browsing. A guy from the store comes up and asks me if I also want to check my helmet. I think this is actually quite nice of them, and I say yes. But then he asks me to also check my small bag where I had my keys, wallet and motorcycle documents. And I understand: they think I am there for stealing. I say no, I won't give them my "man purse". The guy tells me that the owner will make me do it. And then I lose it. I just tell him that I was there to buy books, not to steal them, and that I don't like to be treated like a thief. And off I go. Goodbye 57th Street books. I hope you have watched Pretty Woman and the "bad mistake scene". Because with me and my constant book buying you really have made a big mistake.
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Review from JENNIFER B.
Chicago, IL
8/28/2010
Hands down my favorite book store. A warren's den of little rooms packed with an endless variety of books on a friendly, quirky corner of Hyde Park.
