If you like Borderlands in SF, you will LOVE it here. While Borderlands staff is super friendly and well-read on all kinds of speculative fiction, Dark Carnival is just really special. Like a TARDIS, it's way bigger on the inside, and full of up-and-coming sci-fi authors from the Bay Area as well as the bigger names and classics. If you are looking for something in particular that you can't find, they will order it for you and save it at the front desk. Since moving away from Berkeley, I haven't been able to support this place as much as I would like to. I heard sometime last year that they had some financial trouble, so I try to stop by whenever I'm in the area. The owner is super nice and knowledgeable, the selection of sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and mystery is superb, and I would love for this independent bookstore to stay in business a long time. read more

INCREDIBLE little joint. its packed to the brim with stacks of books all over but thats what makes it so magical - you dont go in this place to find a specific title, you go to discover something new. im one of the few comic fans who, while i adore comics, cant stand the genre of superheroes & this is the one place ive ever found that really delivers for me. & it is organized to an extent, moreso in literary themes & then subcategories (for example, mythical creatures would be the main category & under that, all the books on, say, angels would be in a row & goblins separately, unicorns, witches, etc). & admittedly, theyre not explicitly labeled & its only halfheartedly categorized alphabetically. but you would give up too if you had over 12,000 books in stock!! used bookstores are in the same vein of thrifting, the messier the place, the better the treasures. the prices are very reasonable too. fuck the hoity toity modern day organization & curation of used inventory & slapping a "vintage" label on wares in order to price your goods 5x their worth. this place is one of the last few true & honest used book adventures. read more

This place is awesome. It's how a bookstore should be IMHO. I am not super deep into the sci-fi/ fantasy world (in that I don't know a ton of the authors) - but what I was looking for they had. And, it's not just used books- it's a nice combination of both used and new. I found a few things I'd been looking for for a long time. The staff was knowledgable and helpful. I don't think the store is particularly dis-organized. There are clearly marked alpha orders, true crime, science, witches, mythology, and way more. You'll find delightful surprises around every nook and corner. I could have spent a lot more time and money here. Glad it exists and wish it many more years! read more

This is all you could want from a specialty bookstore. You can spend all of your money here. Not that it's expensive, it's just so fun-filled and jam-packed with RADNESS! Not only do they have extensive SciFi/Fantasy/Mystery sections, but also sections dedicated to: Recommendations and New Releases Humor Art Books Graphic Novels Fairies and Castles Sex, Death Old Pulp SciFi for $5 UFOs, Secret Codes, Conspiracies Media/TV/Movies Plastic Novelties Kids Section etc. You can go in here for yourself, and even maybe find something for your friends who aren't nerds. The clerk was strange, but I expect nothing less from such a trove of geekery. He knew the title I was looking for despite the fact that I couldn't remember the name or author. Didn't look at me funny when I also bought a pocket-size rubber chicken. A nice guy, who just happens to never smile. Finally, even though it's bursting at the seams and there are piles of things everywhere, doesn't mean that they don't know where stuff is. They will tell you exactly which pile it's in. Good hunting! read more

The store is great if you're looking for sci-fi/fantasy and they have an amazingly good mystery collection. They have quite a bit of books that are not-quite-out-of-print and oddball (for example, they're the only store I've seen so far that has the British versions of Harry Potter). It has a good feel to it. If the store has any issues, there are three- 1)It is past time for them to move to a larger location. The one they have has "charm"-from the books on the floor to the smell of old books, but it's way too cramped. If you have any fears of books falling on you... 2)The people working the store (as far as I can tell, only one guy...) has an attitude that ranges from "grumpy" to "surly". 3)It's mildly inconvenient to get to-nowhere near BART, you pretty much have to drive or deal with the hell that is AC Transit. It's a good store, just not "great".... read more

Dark Carnival defaults at 5 stars. There are certainly issues with the store: the creepy, hideous older woman who always trolls near me and endlessly asks if I need help, the mysterious holes in the selection (is it really that hard to get one's hands on a full compliment of JG Ballard?), Jack's aloofness, the douchey, fan-boy clientele, etc. The store is worth visiting still despite these minor annoyances simply because it's the best new bookstore devoted to speculative fiction around. We're lucky to have it. read more

Neighborhood gem. Great selection and taste. They have one of the best children's book selections around upstairs, obviously with a focus on fantasy and sci fi for kids. read more

Just visited this bookstore for the first time on a fluke -we discovered it when we went to check out Escapist Comics on the same street. Dark Carnival has an excellent inventory-I found at least two books I'd been hunting for several months. I love the layout too, it's the kind of store you can get lost in and explore. It's also the kind of store where there are books stacked right up to the ceiling. There's some clutter here and there, FYI, looks like the store could use someone to help organize a bit. But I will definitely continue to visit and support this store!!!! I'm so happy my husband and I discovered it. read more

Dark Carnival - Bookstores Near Me - Berkeley, California

Like John Rhys Davies in Indiana Jones said "Oh my friends, I'm so pleased you're not dead!" With indie bookstores, especially specialty genre bookstores falling like flies, this treasure trove of sci fi, fantasy, and mystery lives on. There are writings to be rediscovered that are stuffed into the shelves and spilling into the aisles Please stop by and buy a book here instead of online at you-know-where, and help keep this community resource going. read more

AMAZING. Sci-fi/fantasy fan? It's like they have at least one copy of every book there is. We found every single Terry Pratchett book, even those that were decades old, and even some UK hardbacks with the original artwork. In addition to the awesome book selection, there are just fun gift stuff for any geek in your life. The place is small and cramped, but definitely worth digging through! read more

The name says it all. This bookstore is crammed with towering shelves of all the stuff I want to read, and what anyone else with an imaginative bent craves. I don't want to buy fantasy and sci-fi from a sterile bookshop -- this one sets my mind alight as soon as I walk in. Anything could happen here! The guys here have a wealth of recommendations and general information on the genres they sell. There is also a plethora of impulse items, which is why I devote a pre-Christmas visit every year to stocking stuffers, gorgeous calendars, and must-reads for everyone on my list. Be prepared to lose yourself amongst the towering stacks. Support local booksellers and pay a visit, but leave the littlest ones at home. read more

I started going here 28 years ago. I have been to countless book signings. My favorites included Ray Bradbury , Annie rice , Clive Barker and john Stanley of Creature Feature. They supplied my vintage pulp , horror, and kitsch books for years . They have hosted great book release parties and given me so many awesome memories. They employees have a great sense of humor and the bookstore is one of a kind . You won't find a better sci- fi horror selection anywhere. This store will be missed greatly. That you for all great times . read more

I love this shop. The owner has been in business in Berkeley for 40 years. His sci-fi/fantasy/horror collection is second to none. I found a copy of the magazine Weirdo from 1987 with a Philip K. Dick story illustrated by R. Crumb. Allow some time to visit, because this place is packed floor to ceiling. If you complain about the fact that this place is too disorganized and has too many books, then I question your commitment to the-used-book store as a fundamentally unique institution in our society. If you can't find something, don't worry, the owner knows where everything is. "But he is a creepy old hippy", you might say. Again, this would call into question your credibility in the evaluation of the the before mentioned pillar-of-democratic-society that is the independent book monger. read more

My absolute favorite sci-fi /fantasy bookstore on the planet. They are a part of the neighborhood, having been in the area a few decades now. As a Bay Area native who visited it since my teens, it's also a place that warms my heart. Run by true fans who love what they sell, you won't find a more deeply knowledgeable group of people anywhere. Support your local bookseller and the creative diversity of small businesses like this and go visit Dark Carnival. (And don't forget it's sister-comic bookstore 2 doors down too!) read more

This is a nice bookstore, and I find the space very interesting. There are many titles you might want, plus many more you hadn't thought of. I like that the owner's range goes beyond his specialty to include art and film, and other topics, always something of interest in this space. I wish he did antiquarian books as well, then i would go to 5 stars. read more

Best bookstore ever. Been going since I don't know when, maybe 1989? Love all the cool signed copies, advance reader copies, British imports you can't even find anywhere else. A ton of stuff you simply cannot get online at any price. read more

The best bookstore in the Bay Area. Filled to brim with tons of books that I would love to ready. A true, 'get lost in the shelves 'bookshop. Lots of unique books here with a wonderful children's section. If you are a reader, bibliophile, hipster or off the beaten path person, this shop is for you. Owner is always happy to give you selections or let your browse at your own leisure. TIP: If you want this bookstore to be around for 40 more years - buy a book each time you come in. That's what I do. Shop LOCAL!!! read more

Nothing much to say here, this is a GREAT Book Store for Sci-Fi , Fantasy, Mystery & Thriller books and all the weird nerdy stuff that goes with it. Make a list, go to this store, grab a ton of books and leave a good portion of your paycheck behind. You'll thank me later. read more

Dark Carnival is a good name for this place considering that its essentially run by escape carnies. You know the type...they're the ones that will charge you the highest possible price for any item and if you mention that you couldn't find it anywhere else they'll actually mark it up in front of you and laugh in an evil tone while chanting "this is gonna cost you." It actually shocked me when I heard the words "This is going to cost you" coming out of a sales persons mouth, but he was serious. You thought I was joking didn't you. Sorry, I'm not quite THAT inventive. He actually said that they check ebay prices on out of print items to make sure that they're charging more and when I suggested that this might not be the right way to attract customers he smirked and told me flat out that they didn't care. Sorry, never again Dark Carnival. I can only hope you disappear into the night like the money sucking goblins you are. read more

I LOVE this bookstore. Granted, I'm a complete fantasy, sci-fi, horror genre fangirl and I'm a sucker for obscure oddities, but even if that's not your cup of tea, this place has something to offer everyone. You can also trust the staff here to give you great recommendations on your next reading adventure. One them introduced me to the writings of Jonathan Carroll, and I haven't looked back. read more

I want to both kiss and punch every person who goes in or out of this place.

Dark Carnival is a strange, yet eerily intriguing store with all sorts of random items: from books, to action figures, stocking stuffers, and calendars...they really carry a little bit of everything. I picked up a Very Hungry Caterpillar mobile for my baby (who enjoys all things hanging;) in addition to a free, paper batman mask that provided us hours of fun. I really look forward to having more time to rummage around this place. My only complaint was that many items had no price, despite the owner stating that everything should be marked, "unless he missed a few." Definitely worth a stop in, though. read more

This place is a treasure trove and I love the staff, because you have the sense that you could browse all day. In addition to books you will find fun toys. I picked up a Nun-Zilla, the perfect gift for a certain damaged catholic on my xmas list. read more

I cannot set foot in this store without getting lost for a few hours and coming out with a much lighter wallet. I recommend it for the sci fi fans but definitely not if you need order or books which are easy to find, it is very messy but in a good way. read more

Really fun and eclectic selection of books. You could easily roam and peruse for hours. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Prices are good too read more

Amazing selection and helpful store owner. Fun tchotchkes all over the place. One of my fave bookstores. Hard to find things, but that's part of the charm and the owner knows where stuff is so just ask her. read more

My god, this store has a crapload of sci-fi and fantasy books. Books on shelves, books on the floor, books on stairs... it looks more like the apartment of a fantasy nut more than a bookstore. I was a bit overwhelmed, to be honest, so I just found a shelf with toys and played with them for a while to look busy while my girlfriend browsed the books. read more

From the most precious of FIGURINES to the best in GAMING, Dark Carnival has it all. I could spend hours THERE. Heck, who am, I KIDDING? I do!!! The staff is very HELPFUL and they know a lot. Get thee to the DARK CARNIVAL!!! read more

I got two great Tarot card sets here. And a tiny washing-machine-on-a-keychain. What more do you want?

This place is great!! if your a sci/fi fan, then this is the book store to go to. You won't be sorry!

Joke about Trekkies and Lord of the Rings geeks all you want (Lord knows I do), but this is a fun little store and I always have a good time browsing around the place. It's actually not such a little place, as you'll find once you get inside and explore a bit--it goes back quite a ways, with neat nooks and crannies, and even has a second floor. Their emphasis, as the name implies, is definitely science fiction and fantasy, but they also have a great selection of children's books and many offbeat tchotchkes, novelties, and what-have-you. If you're looking for a lushly illustrated set of the LOTR trilogy, the screenplay to Jacob's Ladder, snarky T-shirts, or out-of-print Daniel Pinkwater books, this is one of your better bets, and it's another funky little spot that I miss from my East Bay days... read more

I was just in the store for the first time today. I asked a reasonable question and was treated discourteously. Not a fan.

This is a great local bookshop, specializing in sci-fi and things that people who like sci-fi probably also like.Tons of really cool out of print gems as well. You might not necessarily find what you came in looking for, but you'll certainly find several things to add to your to-read list. The owner is a little aloof, but helpful. They gave me 20% discount when I asked if they was really going to charge cover price for a book with a worn spine. Made tons of great purchases here, I hope they stay in business for a long while. Oh, its got a great kids section too! read more

Slowly trying to discover all the great book stores in the bay area, and this one is tops! Great sci-fi book store next to a great cafe.

Dark Carnival has the best selection of science fiction around, bar none. Check out their recommended books shelf - it really is the best stuff in the store and it has yet to let me down. I can't express enough how totally awesome it is that I can just go in, grab a book from that shelf and know I'm gonna have something great to read when I get home. I would give Dark Carnival five stars, but the crazy-collector vibe is a little overwhelming - I have a hard time getting anyone who isn't into genre fiction to go there twice. read more

The best Genre Book store in the Bay Area especially combined with The Escapist Comics next door. To bad they don't have used books.

I love going into this book store! There are loads of Fantasy and Sci-Fi books to get into, and they have a wide variety of old and new books! Inside of Dark Carnival, there is also an upstairs where you can get not only books but records! They also have a large variety of books for younger kids (from preschool up to 8th grade!) And you can go over to the Escapist Comic Book Store (part of Dark Carnival) to buy your comics, graphic novels, and manga. The store is so much bigger than it seems and I love getting lost in it. My friend and I often go together and we end up staying there for a minimum of one hour every time. The quiet is really nice, it almost feels like a secret place. The store is a bit chaotic (there are books EVERYWHERE) which can make finding a specific book hard, but you can always ask for help looking for a book, or take on the challenge of finding it yourself! I personally really enjoy it when book stores are like this, because I always end up finding new books when looking for a different book. And finally, the ways to pay: You can pay in cash at Dark Carnival, or ask to take it over to the Escapist where you can pay with a credit card or apple pay. read more

I'm pretty sure this store was taken directly out of the dark, damp place in my brain and put onto a street in Berkeley. It has every book and weird trinket I could possibly want. This is the BEST place to buy gifts for all my fucked up friends. I mean, I bought someone H.R. Geiger Tarot cards here. SOOO GOOD! If only I had a cool grand to go in there and spend. read more

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this bookshop! Every time I go inside I feel as if I'll discover the next DaVinci Code, the next Harry Potter series or some awesome upcoming author. For any person who is willing to stay up til four in the morning (on a school night) to finish a good book, Dark Carnival is the place for you. This shop's disorganization is part of it's charm as SciFi, Fantasy and Mystery just lurk in all it's nooks and crannies. read more

This place packs a punch. It's not huge, but first, they stuff everything to the brim and second, almost everything they have is like...super cool. They have all sorts of randomness, like Hardy Boys graphic novels (LOL), books about fake countries, and comic books and anime from all eras...and their selection of toys is omg out of this world. My Own Monsters, Uglydolls, a huge foamy gecko puzzle, among others. Cooler than cool. read more