The best thing I can say about Pandemonium is that I offer this review somewhat reluctantly, because I don't want to blow up my used book spot. The store offers a great selection, including remaindered books. I'm particularly enamoured of the philosophy section which puts most used book stores to shame. The staff are very friendly and I've gotten some great recommendations. Pandemonium is the one store in the Junction that I stop in at every single week. read more

Amazing selection of new and used records, plus a huge amount of books! And excellent service, too. I sold my records here, and will be back to buy and sell! read more

An amazing and delightful shop full of great finds - books AND records!!! Really great prices and super friendly, knowledgable owners!

Records, books, and everything else niche. If you're so hip it hurts everyone around you, you might enjoy stopping in here. The guys who work here know their stuff too. But think of it as a basement with a few Ikea shelves at your very cool uncle's house. That's how it is laid out. But it's not cheap. They seem to be aware of what they have. Making a profit is clearly more important than moving product here. read more

I have been into Pandemonium in The Junction a few times over the past few years. Originally it was a smaller more intimate used bookstore down the street, but the current location seems to me more like a new bookstore, big and bright with lots of open floor space. The front of the store has children's books, while the side wall is all fiction, mostly newer and not so much of the classics. The back half of the store is various non-fiction such as history and philosophy and science. I have also seen notable sections of music, art, design and architecture. Most of the books that I have looked at are in very good condition, and priced accordingly, mostly over $5 and many into the $10-20 range. They also have lots of record bins in the center of the store, with some used but a lot of new sealed copies priced around $20. There are also a few bargain bins near the door. Overall, it's not really what I look for in a used bookstore, but they have quantity and a good selection, and is a good choice if you're looking for books or records of higher quality and price. read more

Great selection of books and records, reasonably priced for the most part. I found a great book at an even greater price! The store is a real gem! I will definitely return! read more

This was my first time in the Junction, and I really liked this eclectic little used book/used LP/CD shop. The prices were good, fair, and the selection was interesting, especially in the used LP department. I'd happily stop in again next time I'm in the area. And props to the friendly owner, who was playing Berg's Kammerkonzert over the store's speakers. I mean, who does that? read more

Pandemonium is part of what makes The Junction funky and cool. They have a great selection of vinyl records, CDs, and DVDs, as well as a really well-organized book section. If you are looking for books, particularly works of classic and contemporary literature that are in good shape, this is the place for you. The staff knows their stuff and can tell you right away if they have something available. Well worth the visit! read more

The staff are SO informed. Every time I've been there they were able to help me find what I want right away. If they didn't have it they said so immediately and made alternative suggestions, but without being pushy or following me around. I'm a middle-aged English major, my son is into edgy music, daughter a fantasy fiction fan, and my brother has an encyclopedic knowledge of music. ALL of us found something. Even better now that they've moved a block west to a cleaner and bigger space. read more

Way better organized than the name suggests. Love the notes and bookmarks in these used books!

I try to make a point of stopping in here whenever I'm in the Junction. As other reviewers have said, the proprietor is very friendly and knowledgeable, and the store seems to have a good churn of vinyl. I've found a few cool records here at great prices-- ambient Brian Eno stuff for example-- that gets snatched up PDQ in record stores on Queen W. Great little shop. read more

Wonderful selection of books at shockingly reasonable prices.

Well what can I say, I live downtown but regularly make trips to the Junction solely to visit this amazing store. Tons of vinyl, CDs, and also an amazing used book store. Last trip I noticed the $2 jazz records... So I will have to come back in a few weeks and go through those read more

My 2nd trip to Toronto record stores & what a great surprise! West 0f central Toronto, I found some great 45s! Special $1 dollar table was fun and reasonable! Bought a few higher priced 45s which were fairly priced too. The books & LPs were a bonus. Would definitely make this a priority stop on any followup trips. Not cramped, well lit and decent hrs. read more

I am a first timer and now I will definetly be a returner .I had a plesant experience at Pandemonium Bookstore Music , Neil bought my albums and guitar books from me cause i am cleaning condo not house meaning tight space so cant have a lot of clutter and made the experience memorable. not to mention Neil is on the cover of the Rush album Power Windows.Very cool and Nostalgic. The set up and layout of the store is spacious and easy to find what your looking for. Yet as i spent more time there i realized how much material is in house.Its a hidden gem Thanks Dale read more

My girlfriend and I discovered this place a for the first time this weekend and we are so glad we did. The layout is nice, music is organized and doesn't leave you with an overwhelming feeling when browsing. The owner, Neill, is one of the nicest people I've ever met, he was extremely knowledgeable and very sincere in his approach. With his recommendations, we left with a couple of records and will be returning to purchase plenty more. read more

I chanced across this place the first time I visited the Junction, and now I make sure I stop in every time I'm in the neighbourhood. Given the semi-limited space is shared with records, CDs, and DVDs, the selection of used books is much more filtered and well-organized than your average used bookstore. If you're looking for classic and contemporary literature for good prices, and without having to sift through mounds of junk books, this is THE place to go. Vinyl and CD selection is pretty diverse and generally well-priced, with quite a few gems to be found. DVD selection is small and oddly expensive ($10+ for used, generic DVDs seems odd in the year 2011), but I doubt too many people come for the DVDs anyway. The whole place has a pleasantly quaint feel to it, and the owner is super friendly; this is probably one of my favourite places to visit in the Junction. read more

Lots of cool stuff but it's priced above my pay grade. This isn't good deals used, it's priced like rare vintage. If you want something rare ok but it's not for the thrifty bargain hunter. read more

A real gem in the junction. Used books, record's and DVD's. You can kill an hour looking through the shelves. I always find something cool. The staff are nice they let you look around and take your time. read more

There is a lot to like about Pandemonium: books, CDs...VINYL! A nice big place in the heart of the Junction. Some great people at the cash who'll steer you in the right direction. A larger inventory of new and used records than small spaces like She Said Boom or Grasshopper. Having said this, I have my issues. First off, I find the prices a little high. I have also purchased some records there that were really in bad shape. I know: if the price is low in stores like this, that means the quality is likely poor. That's why I like a detailed-oriented store like Vinyl Emporium on Lake Shore Boulevard West where they actually write ratings on each record they sell. On this topic: milk crate bargain stacks, usually placed at the front of used record shops, are a real mixed blessing: they may get you reminiscing about your glory days, but rarely will one of those 50-cent pick-ups end up sounding great, especially when they've got the choice stuff inside the store. Sorry for the rant, Pandemonium; I know you guys have cheap records at the front too. I just think that only the clean stuff should go into the full-price bins. Another nit-pick I have with pricing at Pandemonium is some of the rare stuff is off-the-charts expensive. I don't know: it just seems to sully the whole record-buying experience when the rampant commercialism we see everywhere else becomes the new-normal. It concerns me. Last thing: one time I went in there and bought a few things, cashed out, and by the time I got to the roti shop next door I knew I'd been overcharged. Went back and straightened it out, but it just seemed like the financial aspect of things was not %100 their strength. Sorry but, as I said off the top, there's a lot of good stuff at your store and I love where you are located, but I can't shake a few of these memories and haven't been back this year. http://tovinyl.wordpress.com read more