There’s something deliciously subversive about stepping into a physical bookstore. For the literary-minded pursuing a first date transcending the mundane, a journey through the world’s most extraordinary bookshops offers an unparalleled opportunity for intellectual exploration and romantic connection. Join us on a global odyssey of literary havens, where the scent of aged paper mingles with the promise of new beginnings, and where the shared discovery of a hidden literary gem may spark a profound connection.
London: Daunt Books, Marylebone
Daunt Books is all about the enduring allure of the printed word. This Edwardian gem, with its long oak galleries and graceful skylights, transcends the ordinary bookshop experience. As you and your date ascend the worn wooden stairs, you’ll be transported to a world where literature and travel intertwine seamlessly. The shop’s unique organizational system, which arranges books by country rather than genre, invites serendipitous discoveries. Peruse the travel writing section, for example, and you may see yourself stumbling upon an obscure travelogue that sparks a conversation about shared wanderlust.
The basement level houses an impressive collection of antiquarian books for those seeking a more intimate encounter. Here, you can bond over the tactile pleasure of handling a first edition or marvel at the intricate illustrations in a rare art book. The knowledgeable staff, always at hand but never intrusive, can offer insightful recommendations tailored to your interests.
As the afternoon light filters through the stained-glass windows, casting a warm glow on the polished wood shelves, you might find yourself lingering in the poetry section, exchanging favorite verses and discovering new ones together. The shop’s regular author events and literary discussions provide an excellent excuse for a follow-up rendezvous should the first encounter prove promising.
New York: The Strand
In the city that allegedly never sleeps, The Strand is a beacon for bibliophiles, its iconic red awning beckoning those who find solace in the written word. Boasting “18 Miles of Books,” this East Village institution offers an unparalleled first date experience for those who believe that a person’s bookshelf is a window into their soul.
Begin your bookish expedition on the main floor, where new releases and staff picks provide ample conversation starters. The Strand’s eclectic selection reflects the diversity of New York itself, with titles ranging from avant-garde poetry to cutting-edge graphic novels.
We recommend the Rare Book Room on the third floor. Here, amidst first editions and signed copies, you can bond over shared literary heroes or introduce each other to new ones. The room’s hushed atmosphere and leather armchairs invite quiet conversation and lingering glances over the pages of a shared tome. Perfect for a date.
As you navigate the circuitous aisles, keep an eye out for The Strand’s famous dollar carts outside the store. Sifting through these literary treasures can be a revealing exercise in taste and spontaneity—qualities essential for any budding relationship. Before leaving, pilgrimage to the top floor, where an expansive art book section awaits.
Chicago: Myopic Books
In the heart of hipster-heavy Wicker Park, Myopic Books is a testament to the enduring allure of the printed word. This haven of used books offers a first-date experience equal to a treasure hunt blended with serious intellectual exploration. Ascending the creaking stairs, the scent of aged paper envelops you, creating an intimate atmosphere conducive to quiet conversation and shared discoveries. The shop’s seemingly haphazard organization invites serendipitous finds–a rare first edition nestled between well-worn paperbacks or an obscure philosophical tract that sparks a deep discussion on the very nature of existence. You can get lost in this place.
The tucked-away poetry section provides an ideal setting for literary-minded couples to exchange favorite verses or discover new ones. Myopic’s extensive collection of art books and zines on the basement level provides insight into Chicago’s vibrant creative scene. Bonding over a shared appreciation for local artists or debating the merits of various artistic movements can reveal much about your date’s cultural leanings and aesthetic sensibilities.
Mexico City: Cafebrería El Péndulo
In the vibrant heart of Mexico City’s Roma Norte, Cafebrería El Péndulo on Av. Álvaro Obregón offers a first date experience that transcends the ordinary bookstore encounter. This multi-level literary oasis seamlessly blends the intellectual stimulation of a well-curated bookshop with the sensory pleasures of a gourmet café.
As you enter, the intoxicating aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the scent of new books, while the shop’s soaring ceilings and lush indoor plants evoke the feeling of a secret garden, providing a verdant backdrop for your budding connection.
Begin your visit on the ground floor, where the latest releases in both Spanish and English invite browsing and discussion. The shop’s commitment to showcasing Mexican authors alongside international bestsellers offers an excellent opportunity to gauge your date’s cultural curiosity and literary tastes: an intellectual win-win!
As your literary exploration builds an appetite, retreat to the café area, where the menu complements the intellectual feast you’ve enjoyed. Over a plate of chilaquiles or a decadent pastry, you can delve deeper into the conversations sparked by your bookish discoveries. Cafebrería El Péndulo is also perfect for night owls, with the store only closing at 1 AM on weekends.
Paris: Shakespeare and Company
On the Left Bank of the Seine, in the shadow of Notre Dame, Shakespeare and Company attracts literary pilgrims and romantic souls alike. With its rich history and bohemian charm, this iconic English-language bookshop offers an unparalleled setting for a first date steeped in literary mystique.
As you cross the threshold, the creaking wooden floors and towering shelves create an immediate sense of entering a different era. The shop’s layout invites exploration, with hidden nooks and crannies perfect for intimate conversations and shared discoveries.
Begin your journey in the front room, where new releases and staff picks provide ample conversation starters. The eclectic selection, ranging from avant-garde poetry to classic philosophy, offers insight into your date’s intellectual leanings and cultural curiosities.
For a more profound connection, ascend the narrow staircase to the second floor, where the reading library awaits. You can settle into one of the many reading nooks, surrounded by well-worn volumes and the ghosts of literary giants who once found refuge in these rooms. Share favorite passages from the books that have shaped your worldview, or discover new authors together.
The shop’s “tumbledown magic” extends to its famous wall of wishes, where visitors leave handwritten notes. Crafting your message together can be playful and revitalizing, offering a glimpse into each other’s hopes and dreams.
Portland: Powell’s City of Books
Set in Portland’s Pearl District, Powell’s City of Books reigns supreme as a literary destination that defies the constraints of the ordinary bookstore. Occupying an entire city block, this behemoth of bibliophilia offers an unparalleled first-date experience for those who believe love and literature are inextricably intertwined.
With over one million books spanning nine color-coded rooms across three floors, the possibilities for exploration and discovery are endless. The store’s unique system of mixing new and used books on the same shelves invites serendipitous finds and sparks conversations about the journey of ideas through time.
Check out the Rare Book Room, where first editions and signed copies provide a tactile connection to literary history. Bonding over a shared appreciation for a particular author or debating the merits of various editions can reveal much about your date’s intellectual passions and aesthetic sensibilities.
Before departing, have a coffee at Guilder. The coffee is also delicious—they roast their beans and do a great job. A perfect way to end a great date!
Amsterdam: The American Book Center
Set in the heart of Amsterdam’s bustling Spui square, American Book Center is a fiercely independent, family-owned bookshop that offers a first date experience that seamlessly blends literary exploration with Dutch gezelligheid—that almost untranslatable word indicating coziness, conviviality, and a touch of familiarity.
With its vast selection of new releases and bestsellers, the ground floor provides an excellent starting point for determining your date’s reading interests and general outlooks.
The second floor houses an impressive collection of art, photography, and design books for those seeking a more profound connection. Poring over these visual feasts together can spark conversations about aesthetic preferences and creative inspirations, offering insight into each other’s inner worlds. ABC’s commitment to fostering community is evident in its regular schedule of author events and writing workshops. Attending one of these gatherings can provide a shared experience to bond over and inspire future creative endeavors.
Berlin: Dussmann das KulturKaufhaus
In the pulsating core of Berlin’s Mitte, Dussmann das KulturKaufhaus, this five-story behemoth, with its striking glass facade and 24/7 book annex, offers a first date experience that transcends the boundaries of the traditional bookstore. As you enter, the sheer scale of Dussmann becomes apparent. With its wide selection of international newspapers and magazines, the ground floor provides an excellent starting point for your visit.
Next, ascend to the first floor, where a vast English-language section awaits. For a more sensory experience, explore the extensive music and film departments on the second and third floors. Bonding over shared musical tastes or introducing each other to favorite directors can provide insight into your date’s cultural leanings and emotional landscape.
As night falls, retreat to the 24/7 book annex, accessible directly from the street. With its soft lighting and comfortable seats, this nocturnal literary haven offers a uniquely intimate setting for late-night conversations and shared readings. The annex’s carefully curated selection of books in German and English ensures that your literary exploration can continue long after other shops have closed their doors.
Atlanta: A Cappella Books
Located in Atlanta’s Inman Park neighborhood, A Cappella Books symbolizes the enduring power of independent bookselling. This cozy literary haven, serving the community since 1989, offers a first date experience that seamlessly blends Southern charm with intellectual rigor.
The carefully curated selection of new, used, and antiquarian titles invites exploration and discovery. Begin your journey in the front room, where new releases and staff picks provide ample conversation starters. It’s an eclectic mix, from contemporary Southern literature to cutting-edge social commentary, offering deep insight and perhaps inspiring conversations about your mutual intellectual leanings and cultural curiosities.
A Cappella’s commitment to fostering a vibrant literary community is evident from its robust event calendar. The shop regularly hosts author signings and literary discussions, providing an excellent excuse for a follow-up date should your first encounter prove promising. Attending one of these gatherings offers a shared experience to bond over and inspire future intellectual exploration.
It bears mention that the store’s location means that you may easily take advantage of its proximity to the Atlanta BeltLine. For dating in Atlanta, a stroll along this urban oasis, perhaps with a newly purchased volume, offers the perfect opportunity to continue your conversations in the open air, surrounded by the city’s vibrant public art scene.
Los Angeles: The Last Bookstore
Los Angeles’s The Last Bookstore is a monument to the printed word in a city associated with the ephemeral nature of the entertainment industry. A sprawling literary maze in what was once a grand bank building, the store offers a first date experience that is equal parts treasure hunt, art installation, and bibliophile’s paradise.
With its soaring ceilings and marble columns, the ground floor houses an extensive collection of new and used books. Begin your exploration here, where the carefully curated staff picks and new releases provide ample fodder for conversation and shared discovery.
For a more whimsical experience of Los Angeles’s dating scene, ascend to the mezzanine level, where the store’s famous book tunnel and window await. These Instagram-worthy installations, crafted entirely from books, offer a playful backdrop for literary-themed selfies. The Last Bookstore is the largest new and used bookstore in California and the only one that’s 22,000 sq. feet with a record store, comic book store, five art studios, a yarn shop, a renowned book tunnel, a mammoth head, and random nooks of funkiness.
So, whether wandering through the labyrinthine aisles of Powell’s City of Books in Portland, admiring the Edwardian elegance of Daunt Books in London, or losing yourself in the bohemian charm of Shakespeare and Company in Paris, each bookstore offers a magical atmosphere conducive to sparking meaningful conversations and forging lasting connections. As you embark on your bookish first date, remember that the true magic lies not just in the books themselves but in the shared experience of discovery and the stories you’ll create together. So, take a chance, step into one of these literary wonderlands, and let the pages of possibility unfold before you.
