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Categories: Newspapers & Magazines, Bookstores [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Flatiron, Union SquareUnion Square (4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R, W)
14th St-6th Aves (F, V, L, 1, 2, 3)
Mon-Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
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Four floors of books! This location is huge.
I love the typical Barnes and Noble, but in particular I love this one because of its size and inventory. It is sometimes safe to say that if this Barnes and Noble doesn't have it, no Barnes and Noble in the city has it.
The staff are all friendly and I am usually in and out within 10-15 minutes. It's also a great place to just lounge out in a cafe and read a book or even meet someone.
I can't go in here, because every time I do I leave with a book in my hand.
Even if you don't want to buy books, it's a good spot to study or even just browse what's available.
oh. em. geeeee! I LOVE this location! Albeit I've only gone to 2 so far since I've moved to NYC but I'm sure this is the best location. To see how many levels there are turned me on. After reading fellow yelper's reviews, I came to this location to chill with my laptop but was disheartened to see that seating wasn't as available as some reviewers stated. I had to wait a minimum of 5 minutes to get a seat but the second time I went to this B&N, timing was perfect and someone was leaving after I got my drink.
I love the huge selection available at this location. I've been trying to get myself into study mode for the GRE and perhaps learn a language and was so ecstatic to see how huge their selection was for study/learning material!
One thing I really dislike about this location is that it's soooo cold in the cafe area! Even with a sweatshirt/coat on, I can't seem to stay longer than 2 hours-even during the 2 hours there, I have to rub my hands together for warmth. I wish it was warm... then I could sit longer to do whatever I have to do, along with enjoying some eye candy puhaha.
I will definitely have to get myself the B & N card b/c I realized that I come often enough to get my $'s worth out of it.
I think the great part about this Barnes and Nobles especially is that they have a lot of great writers come in for book signings. Over the past few months, I've seen John Hodgman, Kevin Smith, and Tracy Morgan sign books here and give a little talk. That's pretty cool.
Who hasn't killed time in the magazine aisle here? Who hasn't taken an emergency piss here? God bless Barnes and Noble Union Square-- sure, I prefer indie bookstores; sure, I think B&N lacks character of any sort and I resent their persistent campaign to take over bookstores everywhere, but, hell, when I have an extra 15 minutes to kill, I head in here and immediately find myself immersed in something good. As an aside, this particular B&N has a terrific selection of literary magazines-- for the 5 of us out there who read Michigan Quarterly, Harvard Review, AGNI, and New England Review, this is the place to browse.
They don't have indie or old publications sometimes but their a good spot if you have some time to kill or if you know exactly what you're getting and you're gonna be in and out.
Starbucks cafe upstairs is almost always packed toward the afternoon, scope out the top floor for a spot to sit and read or take advantage of the internet connection.
I love Barnes and Noble. Can't live without them....sad that I spend so much money there tho.
dear b&n,
Thank You very much for your generosity. I owe you a lot.
-a DEVoted reader
I dedicate my 300th review to you, my love. On cold days, hot days, on days laden with stress, and days that stretch and yawn, I think of you, and I want to be inside you.
Your doors open for me and your air of fresh-pressed pages mingled with coffee and the gasps of New Yorkers remembering to relax envelops me and tells me to stay as long as I'd like. You have everything I desire, and just when I think I've gotten what I've come for, you show me more, and I want it all. You swallow my minutes, my hours, with slow hunger, with kindness.
Alas, cruel one, you take my love as you take the love of so many others, with an all-encompassing welcome, debit or credit, have a nice day - but I cannot fault you for your generosity, and I will be back for more of it soon.
It's truly, one of my favorite hangouts. If I'm meeting friends in/and/or around the area, I kill free time at Barnes & Nobles. The restroom always comes in handy, and I love perusing magazines. If you need me, you'll find me in the car magazine aisle.
Oh, and since I hang out at a Barnes & Nobles more than once a month?, so much for magazine subscriptions ;) Applied Economics 101.
i don't know what you're expecting from a review of a bookstore.
PROS:
-nice selection
CONS:
-i don't think there's such a thing as a sale in B&N world
ETC:
being from Portland, i have become accustomed to the monster that is Powell's books- it's a city block and several stories of books. as much as the Union Square Barnes and Nobles boasts about it's size, it will never impress me. however- it is still a large book store and does have a nice selection. my selection test is how big the niche sections are. specifically the gay section- and, they do have a fair amount of stuff.
PROTIP:
-use the search kiosks in store for directions and a map to the book you want! awesome
-real pros go upstairs to the area with the plethora of folding chairs to sit down and check out books
This is awesome!
I am a huge fan of Union Square. Sure you can find Barnes and Noble stores all over the country but this one is by far the coolest I've been in. The cafe is huge, there are several floors of books, and although its always busy its never too busy to where you'd just want to walk out.
I use to spend hours in the graphic novels section.
The building is cool, the staff is friendly, and thats all you really need. Just sit on the floor and read any book - for free.
This is a great Barnes and Noble. I love Barnes and Noble. If you have read my reviews you probably know, I studied for bar exams at barnes and nobles. It worked very well for me.
This one is huge. They have a cafe and let you read the magazines. I used to sit on the floor as if i was at a library but I stopped as freaky women would come sit next to me and try to start conversations...I mean really, can't you see I am trying to read...
Barnes and Noble in Union Square, who hasn't been there yet?
True you don't get the discounts of Strand or Amazon, but it's likely they will stock what you're looking for. It's also fun for browsing, and yes I suppose the occasional flirting happens too.
What else?
The cafe is great for sitting and reading. Enjoy the magazines without purchasing them, in these uncertain times where we're watching those pennies. Though skip the coffee and go to Joe or Everyman for that (see my reviews on them...)
Also I find it's great for holiday gift giving. If I don't know what gifts to get someone on my list, I just browse the tables, and always find ideas. Also they have some other gifts like stationary, stamps, mugs and some kids games.
Also, for those who enjoy the odd reading or lecture, they have regular talks by writers, and being in the middle of New York, we're lucky that some really a-list writers show up here. So if you want to get one of your books signed, that's they place to do it. This is something that sadly I don't take advantage of more often.
My favorite B&N location in the city.
It's large enough to spend hours in and it still doesn't feel crowded, at least to me and compared to other B&N locations.
I feel ample room to walk through the bookshelves, sift through the magazines, and stand in awe of their stationary/journals and calendar selection.
The cafe is ALWAYS crowded, but given a serendipitous moment...you MIGHT just be able to get a table. Obviously it's close proximity to NYU and Baruch would make getting a table a tough feat, but I do still wish you luck with that.
There are also so many registers, that standing in line isn't such a big deal because the registers are almost always utilized. At least I know whenever I've been there. I just hate having to stand in line because there are like 5 registers empty.
I will go out of my way to come to this B&N if time and my schedule permits. Other than that, it's off to my local B&N...that I can't necessarily be mad at. But I also don't mind myself spending more time at. The atmosphere and availability of all things I like to look at at bookstores are the best at this location.
Always can find someone to help you if you have a question.
The cons:
People sitting on the floor.
Can get loud on certain days, then just forget it and come back some other time - you will spend more time looking for an exit.
This is my favorite Barnes & Noble because I always find what I'm looking for, or at least something equally as interesting. For it's size and the number of people in there, it's clean, well stocked, and (although sometimes difficult) you can usually find a place to sit down for a bit (even if it's the floor).
The cafe upstairs has great views and wi-fi, so if you can get a seat, you're good to go for a while. There are always cool authors making appearances and signing books here as well.
If only their prices were a little cheaper! =)
I never tell anyone that I read, but I do. My friends laugh at me if I tell them I went to the NY Business & Science Library on Madison Ave. to read all Saturday during the winter, or even if went out reading at the park on a nice weekend afternoon with my bike.
See, my sisters still call me "R.A.T.E." (Rough Around the Edges) because they think I'm too rough and dense like a jock. While my friends back home think I'm David Puddy from Seinfeld, a male bimbo who always feels like an Arby's night. My grandma once told my mom that I should join the ARMY because she thought I was stupid. Now this was true, because I didn't get accepted into any good colleges out of high school. I used Cliff Notes or luckily watched the movie version to BS my way with English essays and exams. I remember in high school, my favorite book was still Stuart Little. Stuart Little!!! Now that's sad.
To this day, Reading Comprehension is still my worst area in standardized testing. I don't know, I don't like feeling rushed when I'm reading or something.
But as I've gotten older, I really enjoy reading more. I just wish I had more hours in the week to catch up on my reading. There are so many books I want to read.
Unfortunately, a couple Barnes and Nobles in the city have closed down like the 6th Ave. or Astor Place, but the Union Square one is still my favorite Barnes in the city. When I'm free on the weekends, I'll come to this Barnes early in the morning to grab a coffee and have my own table stacked with magazines. I haven't purchased a magazine in years! I'll just sit there for hours flipping through new magazines before the afternoon crowd rolls in. Afterwards, I'll browse all the new and popular book releases downstairs before I leave. I'll write down all the books I'm interested in and later search for them on http://Amazon.com, so I can add them to my wish list and also see what other users had to say.
Even though I may not purchase anything inside, but say a cup of coffee at the Bucks, I still feel somewhat productive and less of a male bimbo after I leave Barnes & Noble.
"Feed Yo Brain" - Ice Cube
You know that feeling you get when your surrounded by things you love.
Yea man.
There are times this place is crowded and has people reading right next to the books but I can handle it just fine. I think some people are just uncomfortable taking the book away from its shelf.
You could spend a day in this place it's so big with so much.
On xmas eve I ventured here to pick up last minute gifts. The selection was well picked through, but I still managed to get what I needed. Staff was helpful in spite of how slammed the store was.
Best of all: the line, which snaked almost to the door of the shop was a mere three minute wait.
Way to handle the holiday season, BN.
I find myself browsing (and buying) new books here more than anywhere else in NYC. Not that it's necessarily the best bookstore in NYC; rather, it's one of the most conveniently located, just steps from the Union Square subway station, and it's large and bright and usually pretty-well stocked with a wide range of books (as well as magazines and digital recordings, although I just shop for the books).
Pluses:
The best philosophy selection of any non-university bookstore in the city.
Also a very well-stocked cooking section.
This is a popular location for authors' readings and booksignings.
Minuses:
This branch suffers a bit much from that certain kind of industrialization that those of us who grew up with small independent bookstores despise in the chains. There's a lot of foot traffic from the high volume of shoppers (or should I say browsers?, as it seems the browsers far outnumber the people actually making purchases); and the staff, for the most part, don't seem to feel any particular investment in working in this store, other than to take home a paycheck. I have on a number of occasions asked about pretty well-known books that the staff had surprisingly never heard of, then been told that the books should be in stock (just because the computer claimed that to be the case), although I had not been able to find the books on the shelves when I had looked.
Given the size of this store, and its proximity to NYU and The New School among other colleges, the fiction section is VERY weak. And lately it seems to be attracting gaggles of chit-chatters who apparently are more interested in socializing than in shopping (isn't that what the cafe is for?).
BEWARE: I recently bought a book at full price here, only to go over to the 5th ave/18th st branch and find that the very same book was being sold on discount for being on the bestsellers list!
Favorite place to study/ read/ chill. Too bad they don't have free wi-fi. I think if one really tried, he/ she can easily meet people as well.
I have a problem - I buy books and then I realize I don't need them and so I return them. The fact that Barnes and Noble allows me to indulge myself earns them 4 stars. Thank you.
This is my favorite Barnes & Noble location. It is located in an old building with high ceilings. I have spent many hours in the past browsing through this location. I have never had a bad experience here.
This is my go-to Barnes and Noble now that the Astor Place location is no longer. This Barnes and Noble was everything that my Astor Place wasn't, in a good way. (Astor was small, comfortable and cozy.)
This B&N towers over the north side of Union Square. Well, not towers, but it definitely has a presence, and it's not overbearing.
It's very spacious and bright when you walk through. Ceilings are high, and even with a lot of people, it's not a claustrophobic nightmare. I love perusing the themed tables on the first floor.
Huge store, many levels, lots of books. They have an outstanding style/design/architecture/fashion section which I love to look at.
There's a coffee shop inside, and a large selection of magazines too.
Check out is a breeze as well because there's so many cashiers!
Really, what's not to like about this place if you love books?
Ok so Superman: aka Sandar came here with me earlier today to kill some time before our client brunch/lunch crap-o-la, and much to our dismay we found that all of the seating in the Starbucks area was taken!!!
So Sandar being the genuis he is, finds a way to manuver 2 chairs from 2 single ppl tables and sets them up next to the corner so we can sit and go through the mags he picked out and BS together til we had to go eat....
So we're merrily flipping thorugh Maxim, GQ, Stuff, and making comments about how hot this guy is and how hot this girl is, only to realize that at this point we were laughing so hard at each other that all the peeps at Barnes & Nobles were starring at us...this is where Sandar and I made a swift escape!!!!
So Thanks to Sandar for being a great co-worker and an even better friend!!!!! He is what made Barnes and nobles so much fun!
I love going to Barnes and Noble and reading through cookbooks all afternoon. My butt is usually numb after handing out for a couple of hours because the seating isn't that great, but reading Thomas Keller's books makes me forget about the loss of feeling in my butt.
They have same day delivery in Manhattan, which is yet another reason why Barnes and Noble is awesome!
This is my favorite Barnes & Noble in the City. It has many floors and pretty much anything I can think of in it.
If you have nothing better to do, go to Union Square and visit the Barnes & Noble. You can browse through the selection of materials or look at the extensive selection of magazines.
Four floors of endless books!
Starbucks!
There are dirty and smelly bathrooms,but I don't go to Barnes and Nobles for the bathrooms.
- overall score: 3.5
- my go to BN since the one on astor closed
- big, bright
- hit or miss with the staff
This is my very favorite B&N in NYC and it's due to a few factors: the building's attractive exterior, the convenient location (I often change to/from the subway or bus at Union Square) and the eclectic selection. I recently heard Mary Tyler Moore speak there (o.k., admittedly she was plugging her new book - but it was MTM in person). If you like graphic art, art or photography books, this store has an *excellent* selection. The staff seems imperturbable, which is a good thing at such a heavily-trafficked locale.
Huge, crowded, loud, has tons of selection, and has a massive cafe overlooking Union Square. Worth the trip- other B&Ns in NYC are good to very good, but this one is the best.
I just want to know one thing. WHY are all those people sitting on the floor in Barnes and Noble on Sunday afternoon, blocking the shelves and looking ridiculous?? It's so strange to me.
I wanted to look at the cookbooks but there was an entire family having an impromptu picnic in front of the Cooking section.
Warning: Don't go to B&N on Sunday - you'll be too busy looking down, making sure you don't step on anyone's face or climbing (tripping) over their stuff!
My favorite Barnes & Noble. I work a block away from here and whenever I have nothing to do, I come here and read. The store is very big and chances are you will find the book you are looking for. The study area is nice. Information and customer service is great. If you are in the area, check it out. You might find something you like.
This is the mother-lode location of Barnes & Noble -- I fondly remember spending afternoons at this B&N during college...
This location has also been a life-saver when I've had to use the bathroom, escape the heat of summer or get a coffee fix from the cafe...
Fast forward to now -- and I usually order books on-line at http://BandN.com...just so I don't have to deal with the crowds. I love the convenience of ordering on http://BandN.com and having the book arrive by courier the next day (and in many cases, I've received the book by courier the SAME day!)....I can still take advantage of the member discount, so often times you'll save 30%+ off the retail price!
I fondly remember Barnes & Nobles back when they had a retail/college books location and a sale annex on Fifth Avenue...but as they've expanded to mega-chain status, I must say that they still place the customer first and haven't diminished in the quality of service they've provided for over the years.
(CALLING ALL BOOKWORMS: This is part of a list I'm making on Barnes and Nobles to visit depending on your mood. WARNING- A LOT OF FULL FRONTAL NERDITY)
Two Good Words: The Mecca
Two Bad Words: Metropolis Mecca
Ok, this is the mother of all the B+N in this city. If this B+N was a book, it would be The Bible, Talmud, Koran, Book of Mormon, or whatever book you choose to adorn your Mecca. I'm calling this the true north of the chains. Three levels, tons of places to people watch and graze books. Honestly, this one is representative of the city, and how much of a melting pot it is. Mood- Come if you are active, social, and want to bump elbows with some new york bookworms.
I used to always hear about this particular Barnes & Noble as the hook-up place for nerds and geeks in NY. But I think I must always be in the wrong section...that is the poetry section which has the graphic novel section right across from it.
Oddly enough, this Barnes & Noble has one of the greatest graphic novel sections for a generalized bookstore in NY. This time, I went gaga looking over all the Chris Ware that they had out in great stacks including his new daybook as well as the new issue of Acme 18.
However, in spite of all the beautiful Chris Ware books, I got so entrenched in the poetry section, in reading the Canadian poet Erin Moure and Czech poet Jarslav Seifert that I couldn't get any of Chris Ware books.
I assume the flirting is commencing in the other aisles of this large and spacious Barnes & Nobles. But it makes me happy to have a tryst with books.
Where it all began. The genesis of our lust. Do you remember our moment in Eden? I do...like it was yesterday.
I sat on a cozy love seat in the children's section, with a copy of "Tasteless Lawyer Jokes" covertly tucked into that true crime biography on serial killer, Ted Bundy. The hearty guffaws I belted out must have seemed mismatched with my literary choice. Most of the parents fled the area with their children. But something drew you to me. Perhaps you were duty bound by obligations as a Barnes & Noble security guard to remove me from the premises, but I now know otherwise. You smiled and warned me to never return. But I did! Each time, it was a different violent felon. Dahmer. Gacy. The result, however, was always the same. Each time you "let me off with a warning" it was one step closer to the restraining order that would ironically bring us together.
Never make plans to meet someone here! Especially if it's possible they're not going to show up... you'll be stuck wandering the enormous store for hours wondering "why didn't I specify outside?!"
If you're looking for books, this is the place. If you're looking for service with a smile, make sure you don't ask the old dude (or should I say, "dud"?) at help desk desk what the time is...
It's really hard to get a table in the place, but it's worth a try... they definitely have a very reading/study-friendly Starbucks area. Also, if you don't mind sitting on the floor, there are a million places you can sit and read without getting bothered by anyone.
Great store with everything you need. From the wall of staff recommended reads, to the shelves of discount books. Topics seperated neatly by interest and type. A great selection of Harney and Sons tea as well.
A nice and chill place where you can feel comfortable just wandering about on your own until a cute looking younger male walks up to you and busts out one of the best pick up lines of the year. "Do you like horses?" - then it just gets interesting.
Neighborhood: Midtown East
Category: Bookstores
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Category: Newspapers & Magazines
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