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Elliott Bay is by far one of the best bookstores you can visit in Seattle for literary lovers or those just looking to chill and stay dry. Street parking will be your best here and there is a good amount of it around the area. Inside, they have a very spacious setup with books organized nicely by genre. Prices here are very reasonable and their selection is pretty diverse. You could definitely spend a good couple hours here just perusing everything. If you are ever looking for a book in the Seattle area, this spot should be first on your list!
Big bookstore with a huge selection of books right in the gayborhood. Second floor is the kids section
I go here way too often but it's still not often enough. This is the best bookstore I've ever been to. I love it. It has a cute cafe in back. It has friendly and knowledgeable staff and a cool loyalty program. They have author events and a great selection. Honestly I just go here for the vibes sometimes and to browse even if I'm not getting anything. The value is the same as other indie bookstores - the books are market value but I'm happy to support an indie bookstore and you get $20 off for every so much you spend with the stamp card so it does add up. The best part is they're dog friendly too so I can bring my corgi as I browse.
Very cute little book store. Had a really large and pretty good selection of books there. It's also pet friendly which is always a plus!
Wonderful big bookstore with lots of seating and fun/interesting employee notes throughout. Coffeeshop makes a tasty London fog latte. Parking was stressful though! It's a popular area.
Beautiful store with lots of character and a coffee shop. Loved seeing all the pups too. It's is worth checking out if you're in the area.
Amazing bookstore! I'm surprised I hadn't heard about this spot before because it really was a great bookstore. They had so many options for every category of book and they had plenty of staff picks. The main area of the store is very large and they even had an upstairs section.
What a fantastic book store! We stumbled upon Elliot Bay Book while taking an E-Scooter through Seattle and had to check it out. The layout of books is very organized and has two stories of books. Everything was reasonably priced and the staff were very helpful with numerous recommendations. If you're in the area, make this your new favorite place to grab a book and a coffee!
What a big independent bookstore that's become my go-to spot to browse around while we wait for dinner or before partying in Capitol Hill. I especially love the discount section tucked away on the second floor, and I always end up picking up something I've been eager to read for an affordable price. To the review complaining about the liberal selection of books here... one would think a conservative would appreciate freedom of speech at a bookstore. And the 20-minute wait? There are so many staff here... just use common sense to find someone else for help instead of seeing everything through your bias.
When looking up things to do in the Capitol Hill area of Seattle (known for its trendy, eclectic, hipster vibes), a visit to the Elliott Bay Book Co pops up. Great for book lovers, as you enter, you immediately get a whiff of an old bookstore (probably from all of the rustic wood). A large independent bookstore with many selections. There's also a decent sized cafe in the back. Throughout the aisles, you'll see handwritten notes from staff that make browsing feel like getting recommendations from a well-read friend. Not much of a touristy destination, but worth a visit if you like old bookstores or want a quiet time away.
For the book lovers out there this is a very nice bookstore. Nestled in an openly proud LBGTQ community this bookstore has items to suit every reading genre taste. I perused new releases, classics, young adult items, history, ethnic flair and everything in-between. The staff, while quite quirky and unique, were also very friendly. I'll certainly return if back in the area.
Visited on June 16 for an event being held to promote the newest cookbook by B. Dylan Hollis. Appreciated the friendliness and organization provided by the staff. We were able to grab a cold beverage in between the author's talk and the photo op event by stopping in Oddfellows Café. Appreciate the organization of the books as well as the book selections, and the beauty of this old building. The event was promoted with advanced registration, which provided a great value for an evening out on Capitol Hill. If I didn't live in the north end I'd come spend hours at this bookstore.
The space is very spacious and well-lit. There was a good selection of books, from the new arrivals to the classics. Service was great. I wanted to find Hail Mary and the staff led the way for me. They've also got a good selection of cards for different purposes. The prices for those are on the higher end, but the quality are definitely better than the ones from Safeway or target.
24 days ago
It may be hyperbole but Elliot Bay Book maybe the best bookstore in the United States. That's saying a lot but after spending a complete afternoon here, I am comfortable in my decree. EBB is have to visit if you are Seattle. Skip the bubblegum wall and the original Starbucks. If you truly want to see Seattle, visit Elliott Bay Book and you will thank me later. I wish I had more time to visit every section and shelf. I wandered aimelessly at first then found myself in Queer True Crime. I ended up having a fantastic conversation with a lovely human at the information desk. I don't remember their name but they even spoke with my daughter on my iPhone as I was looking for a particular book for my wife. I was also on the hunt for Etna, a novel but it was sold out. I ended up purchasing per a staff recommendation, 'Attempt at Exhausting a Place in Paris' by Georges Perec Reading the first couple of pages instantly transported back to Paris, a place I know extemely well, and I saw every bus, man, woman, child, server worker, and heard every klaxon and shouted obscenity. Do yourself a favor and search out Elliot Bay Book when you visit Seattle, you'll be supporting a local business and feeding your mind and soul. read more
I love this bookstore. There's a small coffee shop inside and places to sit and read abound. It's big and they've got a lot of books. The staff is great and they have fun recommendations. I like the location on Cap Hill which is by a lot of other stuff making it easy to accomplish a few things in one trip. read more
Elliott Bay is by far one of the best bookstores you can visit in Seattle for literary lovers or those just looking to chill and stay dry. Street parking will be your best here and there is a good amount of it around the area. Inside, they have a very spacious setup with books organized nicely by genre. Prices here are very reasonable and their selection is pretty diverse. You could definitely spend a good couple hours here just perusing everything. If you are ever looking for a book in the Seattle area, this spot should be first on your list! read more
4 months ago
Big bookstore with a huge selection of books right in the gayborhood. Second floor is the kids section read more
I go here way too often but it's still not often enough. This is the best bookstore I've ever been to. I love it. It has a cute cafe in back. It has friendly and knowledgeable staff and a cool loyalty program. They have author events and a great selection. Honestly I just go here for the vibes sometimes and to browse even if I'm not getting anything. The value is the same as other indie bookstores - the books are market value but I'm happy to support an indie bookstore and you get $20 off for every so much you spend with the stamp card so it does add up. The best part is they're dog friendly too so I can bring my corgi as I browse. read more
8 months ago
Very cute little book store. Had a really large and pretty good selection of books there. It's also pet friendly which is always a plus! read more
Amazing bookstore! I'm surprised I hadn't heard about this spot before because it really was a great bookstore. They had so many options for every category of book and they had plenty of staff picks. The main area of the store is very large and they even had an upstairs section. read more
What a fantastic book store! We stumbled upon Elliot Bay Book while taking an E-Scooter through Seattle and had to check it out. The layout of books is very organized and has two stories of books. Everything was reasonably priced and the staff were very helpful with numerous recommendations. If you're in the area, make this your new favorite place to grab a book and a coffee! read more
What a big independent bookstore that's become my go-to spot to browse around while we wait for dinner or before partying in Capitol Hill. I especially love the discount section tucked away on the second floor, and I always end up picking up something I've been eager to read for an affordable price. To the review complaining about the liberal selection of books here... one would think a conservative would appreciate freedom of speech at a bookstore. And the 20-minute wait? There are so many staff here... just use common sense to find someone else for help instead of seeing everything through your bias. read more
When looking up things to do in the Capitol Hill area of Seattle (known for its trendy, eclectic, hipster vibes), a visit to the Elliott Bay Book Co pops up. Great for book lovers, as you enter, you immediately get a whiff of an old bookstore (probably from all of the rustic wood). A large independent bookstore with many selections. There's also a decent sized cafe in the back. Throughout the aisles, you'll see handwritten notes from staff that make browsing feel like getting recommendations from a well-read friend. Not much of a touristy destination, but worth a visit if you like old bookstores or want a quiet time away. read more
For the book lovers out there this is a very nice bookstore. Nestled in an openly proud LBGTQ community this bookstore has items to suit every reading genre taste. I perused new releases, classics, young adult items, history, ethnic flair and everything in-between. The staff, while quite quirky and unique, were also very friendly. I'll certainly return if back in the area. read more
Visited on June 16 for an event being held to promote the newest cookbook by B. Dylan Hollis. Appreciated the friendliness and organization provided by the staff. We were able to grab a cold beverage in between the author's talk and the photo op event by stopping in Oddfellows Café. Appreciate the organization of the books as well as the book selections, and the beauty of this old building. The event was promoted with advanced registration, which provided a great value for an evening out on Capitol Hill. If I didn't live in the north end I'd come spend hours at this bookstore. read more
4 months ago
The space is very spacious and well-lit. There was a good selection of books, from the new arrivals to the classics. Service was great. I wanted to find Hail Mary and the staff led the way for me. They've also got a good selection of cards for different purposes. The prices for those are on the higher end, but the quality are definitely better than the ones from Safeway or target. read more
This is my favorite bookstore. I spent over 2 hours and could've spent more if they hadn't closed. The only con is the price, but I'd rather support a local shop plus they have a stamp card. There is also a cafe in the back and a reading area in the basement. They have a wide variety of all my preferred literary genres, from poetry and philosophy to physics and politics. There were books that I've never seen in any other bookstore, including Perfect Victims - my favorite. It changed my life, but I'm Palestinian - while it was therapeutic for me, it will be disturbing for others. read more
1 year ago
The best book store I've been to in a while!!! Huge selection. Wide variety...not just the best sellers. Beautiful!! read more
3 months ago
10 months ago
Definitely one of the best bookstores I've ever been to! Every genre is beautifully laid out. There is a crowd in the store but it isn't overwhelming because of their organization and the amount of space inside. True bookstore style they have both a kids play section and a coffee shop inside also. I could have stayed here all day reading - I highly recommend visiting!!! read more
2 years ago
What a book lovers dream!!! Not only does this historic and iconic Seattle bookshop have rows and rows of all types of books, but there is a coffee shop inside! When searching for a book here, there is no dearth of options for any topic you're looking for, and everything is all super well organized so you can find it easily. They feature both mainstream and super niche genres of books, from stuff for kids to adult books, biographies and travel to speculative fiction and graphic novels. Upstairs they have a few tables to squirrel away to read and work and a pretty good sized bargain book section. What got me excited is that this place is open till 10 pm!!! So one can do dinner and party AND read all on one night in Cap Hill, as I did tonight. For those seeking food, the cafe offers some quality brews and snacks. The menu has espresso, coffee, teas, pasties, burritos, and even soup! The coffee is honestly not a bad price, starting at $3. A little biased here but I think this is better than a P named bookstore in sister city Portland, but go find out and decide for yourself read more
This really is quite a large indie bookstore with two levels of every genre you could want. I found it amusing to read the staff's notes tucked on the shelves, with recommendations or fun tidbits. There is a table upstairs and downstairs with seating to browse through selections. There's a coffee shop inside with plenty of workspace as well and you can walk around the shop with your drink. There's some store merch, cards, stickers, and other knick knacks on sale as well. The wooden shelves and flooring create a homey feel to the shop. There is light music playing, but nothing very distracting. read more
Support your local independent bookstores! Elliott Bay Book Co. is up there with the best of them. You can often find author events with book signings or join a book club here. Their expansive book selection is beautifully organized, and they frequently rotate their featured titles and staff recommendations, so visiting the bookstore always feels new. There's also an upstairs section with more niche genres and some tables for reading. If you regularly purchase books, they have a stamp card you can use to get a discount after spending a certain threshold. read more
Huge bookstore with a cafe! Right across from Glossier. This is probably one of my favorite places to visit while in Capitol Hill (during the day). The staff are all helpful and sweet. They offer free gift wrapping during the holidays. The prices are all pretty reasonable and comparable to online retail. I think my favorite part of this store is the massive variety they have. Practically any book you're looking for could be found here. If you're just browsing casually, they have sooo many notes and recommendations! The store is so organized. Very easy to navigate through. read more
1 year ago
I could spend years here. And also thousands of dollars if I had it. Came to college with six books went home with twenty two, thanks Elliot Bay Books. read more
I have come here on multiple occasions and have always enjoyed browsing their book selection! The staff is always super friendly about answering any questions or looking up things for you if you have an interest in a book or book set. I love their little staff recommendation notes throughout the store. Helps me choose new books or explore new genres. They have a little cafe section in the back with great drink and pastry options! Overall, a super cute bookstore and one that is a must stop when in Cap Hill! read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
Everything you'd want in a bookstore: creaky floorboards, corners to steal some likes of a book, tons of titles and the service to help you find it! read more
What a monument for Capitol Hill. The smell of new books as you stroll along the creaky wooden floorboards. The selection is diversified and thoughtful. Their staff is attentive and friendly. There's easy access to a cozy cafe or a hip brunch spot next door. My favorite is the employees recommendations shelf. The little summaries add a personal flair to the books you will grow so intimate with. I always check my neighborhood bookstore now before ordering any books online. I hope to attend a reading also at some point read more
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Ask the Community - Elliott Bay Book
Hi! I've been waiting to visit this book store for years! New to the bullet journal world and am curious if this bookstore has stuff to support Bullet journals. Like journals, pens, washi tape? Thanks for the help, yelpers!
Elliot bay has many journals and a very small selection of pens (not markers) and pencils (only graphite). No washi tape that I've seen
Review Highlights - Elliott Bay Book
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