McNally Jackson

This is place is an AMAZING bookstore. It’s located in a great part of town and is a spot where I’ve seen my fair share of celebs. For all of the tourists, I suggested roaming the streets of SoHo for a few hours and then resting your feet at the bookstore/​café when you hit exhaustion.

This review is for their printing services:
Since you rarely see bookstores anymore we went to take a look inside this store. While entering I saw this huge machine, and hey it turns out that they have a printing press here! Picked up the pamphlet and noticed that they print theses! I just finishing graduate school and actually wanted some extra copies of my thesis, since it’s really expensive to print the hard cover binded copies.
Anyway I emailed them and went back and forth through emails until finally getting it printed! You need to send a PDF to be printed. Also if you want them to adjust your document to a printable size it’s an extra $ 10. Honestly it was totally worth it for me, I was not going to sit down for hours to readjust this on my vacation lol. Overall I think it cost $ 15 – 20 per paperback copy, which is way cheaper then having a hard cover binded copy! I was very happy with the service here, and their timely manner of printing my documents since I was going back home to Hawaii!

A very laid back, cute, coffee shop/​bookstore. Was strolling around in the area and was in the mood for a cappuccino and cookie. Came to McNally’s and I am happy that I did.
It had such a good vibe once you walk in. The cappuccino was good, but not great. The cookie was better than I was expecting it to be. I went ahead and say around, looking over books, feeling relaxed and not bothered. This place is great, and if you have time for a quick drink, I strongly suggest you lay back and enjoy the free time to ponder or read a book

Great bookstore! Their selection of art books is beautiful. I love their greeting cards. They also have this corner of chap-​books that is really fun to browse. Cool stationary down the stairs.
Café is nice.
No wi-​fi.

First time here!
I love bookstores and coffee.
Perfect place if you would like somewhere quiet and relaxing. I found this relaxing and quiet.
It seems like this place doesn’t have Wifi but not really sure. I haven’t had a chance to ask.

I love McNally Jackson not only as a bookstore, but I frequent its attached café. It’s a great place to disconnect, (as there is no wifi), read or write, while enjoying a coffee/​tea and baked goods. I discovered their coconut Italian soda last summer and it’s been my go-​to drink! Love the vibe, and it’s also a great place to take a walking break if you’re exploring the neighborhood!

This is a small but cozy café, good for reading or taking a quick coffee break in the middle of shopping in Soho. It would make a good study spot too if there was wi-​fi. I have only tried their Americano so I can’t speak to the quality of their food or other items on the menu, but I would definitely come back if I were around the area.

What an awful injustice my four-​star first review was — here’s why:
In my nubile days of Unilocaling, I didn’t fully develop my love affair with McJ. Here is why, after years away from NYC, I always visit this one shop — if nothing else — on my trips to NYC.
Book Selection:
I absolutely adore the selection here. My most recent purchase, A Woman Destroyed, stood out with its hot pink cover, but I thought, that’s not my type. However, it was on display among new promotions, and because I think so highly of the selection here, I went for it. It was easily the best book I have read in the past year. I have some of my favorite short stories and coffee table art books from here. The selection is very refined. This is what all small bookshops must be. A mega store is no match for the well-​curated selection at McNally Jackson.
Café:
It isn’t overpriced for the neighborhood, and I usually find that a seat is available. The coffee is delicious. The small menu, like the book collection, is also smartly chosen.
Stationary:
Even though the literary works are the heart and soul of the store, this stationary is really why I return. I always have to buy a dozen or so cards each visit. They are so special, and I never encounter a similar selection outside of this shop. I love the diversity. I also buy some of my favorite writing utensils here, as well.
Service:
Usually on my travels, I have my bulky backpack with me. They always let me store it behind the counter as I spend my hour or so roaming the bookshelves and enjoying the selection. I wish I could buy stationary online from them! That is the one service I wish were improved.

This is one of my favorite bookstores in the city, with uniquely organized books, a variety of notebooks, and indie magazines.
McNally Jackson’s Food Writing and Memoir sections stick out to me, because not many other bookstores devote whole shelves just to these categories. Also, the memoir section is a goldmine, with titles like Blue Nights (Joan Didion) and The Beautiful Struggle (Ta-​Nehisi Coates). There are also multiple fiction sections organized by country («Italy, Spain and Portugal», «British and Irish», etc.)
The magazine titles are specialty & independent ones, like Cherry Bombe and Lucky Peach, which are food magazines; milk, and Cereal (travel + lifestyle).
Like other reviewers mentioned, the café space here isn’t a spot to focus and do intense work: it’s more suited for conversation and reading.

I love this place. It is unpretentious, just a place for people who love books. Strand is equally charming but a monstrous place. This is just right. And they scatter chairs throughout so you can just be and read or stare at people who are reading.
I should be more articulate when reviewing a bookstore but its leap day and I’m ready for bed ;)

Strolled in here while walking around the area. This bookstore was crowded and it lent a nice vibe to the whole place. It was an engaged crowd — a stark contrast to chain bookstores I’d visited in the past.
That being said, this place makes the case for independent bookstores: it stands out as a place for new discoveries and for knowing its clientele. (Like, of course this place carry the reprint of the NYC Transit Authority Graphics Standards Manual.) If I had more time I’d definitely grab a book and journey into it… But that wasn’t the case this time.
It’s a great, professional place and they seem to run a tight ship. It’s got a great selection of stationery and journals too! Will definitely go back when I’m in the area again! And will definitely stop in their café!

Want the zeitgeist view of New York? Check social media like everyone else… joke.
It’s very zeitgeisty (made a word up there) this bookstore, a go to for current political, fashion, architecture and all things east villagey (there’s another one I made up)
I like it though, not a huge selection, say compared to the strand bookstore… but if you’re an avid user of social media, are probably under 40, and want to expand your mind… I think you’ll like this place.

One of the best independent bookstores around.
They have a great selection of thumb-​able books, seductively arranged, at the front of the store. I always come in here and browse a bit if I have time. They have a café, which is nice, and they have a [pay] toilet on the lower level.
There’s a notice in the bathroom about why they had to add a coin-​lock to the door; apparently – in the bad old days – junkies would go in to use the restroom for what junkies use it for, and they’d flush their works. This creates a plumbing nightmare, and as a result, #thisiswhywecanthavenicethings.
This is a very inviting, community-​oriented bookstore. Makes my fingers itch to pick up a book when I walk in the door, and even more, makes me glad I’m a reader.

It’s hard to believe that «books are dying», as the world claims, when you walk into McNally Jackson. The no. 1 thing about this place is the vibe. Totally warm and inviting, relaxed yet busy. I think it’s the perfect place to spend an hour or two.
One of the best things about this place is the adequate seating. There are a ton of benches, stools, etc so you can actually grab something you like and sample a few chapters of a book before you decide to buy or not. This is an amenity that honestly, very few modern bookstores subscribe to, so it’s amazing that McNally Jackson has provided it. Other popular places, like Kinokuniya and even Barnes & Noble (in recent years) restrict their seating, which I think is partially to prevent squatters and partially to encourage people to buy books prematurely. Mcnally Jackson, by contrast, understands that people come into a bookstore (v. just buy the same thing for 35% less on Amazon) because they want to sit down and make a more deliberate decision with TLC. I harp on this one detail because I think it’s just so indicative of the attitude, philosophy, and thought that truly makes it a cut above almost every other bookstore in the city. Along the same vein, it’s actively involved in the community. They support Gotham Writers, as well as feature a pretty well-​attended collection of other events throughout each month.
Other perks — clean bathrooms (you need a quarter to get in but the staff provides you with one upon request), and well-​located in SoHo so just when you’re getting disillusioned with how overpriced and shallow the world is, you can step in here and just chill out and read for a bit.

Woah, I started my review with «I love this bookstore» before glancing at the others. It’s interesting how McNally Jackson inspires that in you. I love bookstores in general, but there’s something different about this one. It’s warm, comfortable, comforting.
This place feels less commercially focused and more like a community hub. I like that it’s not overwhelmingly crowded with people or books. I don’t feel like I’m in the way and I don’t feel rushed. I like browsing through the self published works, the magazine collection, and the books on display. Shelves are beautifully arranged and a joy to peruse. I have yet to attend any events intentionally (I’ve stumbled upon a few) but I enjoy checking out the calendar to see what author or speaker will be around next.
On the floor where you enter, there’s a quaint café with a simple selection (they serve stumptown) and a decent amount of seating. There’s a bathroom downstairs in case you decide to stick around a while.
Half a floor down, there’s a landing with stationary and journals of all kinds and sizes– basically the best thing ever. Got my first leuchtturm (an alternative to the moleskine) here! Another half

I love this bookstore. Aside from having a good collection of various media (I LOVE squealing over the journals and magazines), their ambiance is just great. All of their staff are very helpful and not pushy at the slightest.
Upstairs, there’s a café area (tried three pots of tea, and they were all on the lighter side. The employee told me they get their tea from Serendipitea, so cute name. However, if you want to go for pure quality of tea, I’d recommend Harney & Sons nearby instead.) Downstairs, there are (surprise…) more books and tables/​chairs to sit in.
Came here to catch up with some girlfriends, and we stayed until closing time, and when they were cleaning up, we motioned to leave, but all the employees were very inviting and did not push us to stay longer.
Will definitely be returning and giving my support here!

I love this book shop. They always have interesting authors doing readings, their selection is great, and their book shop staff is welcoming and helpful.
I like the peacefulness of the downstairs; there’s a nice big table to sit and read.
I always enjoy the food and the vibe in their café.
What I don’t enjoy is the café staff. I food then rude and often immature. One of then moaned when I ordered a cappuccino because he didn’t feel like making it. Another one was incredibly rude when I politely inquired about the status of my sandwich.
But overall, I just ignore them and enjoy the bookshop. It’s a little oasis in a hectic neighborhood.

I love this place! They have a really well curated and wide selection of magazines. I like wandering and picking up some books or magazines, then ordering a coffee and looking at them trying to decide which ones are worthy to buy.
Nice staff and very good ambience.
Great for writing or reading!

McNally Jackson is a fantastic independent bookseller and publisher. I love its spacious and organized shop, the personality of its staff, and the friendliness of the space. Shelves and tables are well curated across various topics. It encourages browsing and exploration. In addition, it offers a café to the side for some light reading, a quick meetup, or just some tasty coldbrew.

Read more books. Buy some of them here.
I could go into detail, but the time you spend reading reviews of a bookstore could be spent reading a book’s cover copy in that store.
Go!

Though I typically get coffee at La Colombe nearby, McNally Jackson provides a haven from the madness of SoHo. It’s a great shop to stop into on a rainy day, dip downstairs unseen, and crawl up to a inconspicuous corner to read some obscure sociological memoir.
The place is smaller than The Strand but covers all the standard subjects with depth, relevance and intrigue. The magazine section is the top-​shelf, with NYC art mags, literary journals, zines and hip quarterlies not widely distributed. Think Paper, N+1, The Believer, Apartmento, Folk, etc. I like the self-​publishing machine too, with the locally published titles near it. Some very interesting things.
Helpful staff, great selection of titles-​both books and magazines, and an awesome location convenient to both the west and east sides of downtown. Recommended.

McNally Jackson
NY Manhattan Nolita
2pm Thursday 24^th April 2015
Four Stars
This is a cool coffee shop and book store. There is pretty limited seating but there was a communal table where you probably squeeze into. I ordered a cappuccino and Pan Au Chocolat ($ 6.5). The coffee was smooth and delightful. There was too much steamed milk. The foam was soft and sweet. The pastry was a bit dense but still flaky with a golden crust. There was plenty of chocolate which is a rarity. It tasted best when dipped into the coffee. Overall a nice place to get a cup of Joe.
The Book store felt a little cramped but still well organized. They even have a print your own book machine.