While exploring LA's Arts District someone suggested that I check out The Last Bookstore then hesitated when I asked if I could walk there. I could, she said, but with temperatures approaching 100 degrees and the possibility of walking through some seriously uncharming blocks, she suggested that I might not wish to. I walked there anyhow and all was fine. The Last Bookstore is quite a treat, especially if you take the time to head to the second floor. It's on this floor where you'll find a plethora of intriguing artwork as well as a mind-boggling array of used books. What else might you find? A porthole constructed of books, a tunnel constructed of books, and a sitting room where you'll be surrounded by books about infamous murderers. (I might be wrong on that last one, but while I sat in that room, those were the books I saw). There's so many used books up there that I found myself having to move a stack of books just to get to the stack behind it that I wanted to root through. Thousands upon thousands of used books and yes, I did make a purchase. Coming back down to the main floor it was impossible not to notice the concert happening on a big platform in the center of the place. Couches surround the area and for a short while I sat and enjoyed the show. Soon I was asked to move as they were reconfiguring things for a sound bath experience being offered shortly (unlike the concert, the sound bath was not free). So there's a ton of stuff going on here and the place is something to see and experience. I'd not make a special trip here were I not somewhat nearby but if you're in the Arts District, Little Tokyo, or heading to Grand Central Market, you're rather nearby and The Last Bookstore is a great place to explore. read more

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First time here and it was so cute! It was a bit hot but try to visit in cooler days! Second floor is beautiful and take it all in book lovers read more

The Last Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Los Angeles, California

First time visitor Located in historical downtown LA Quaint bookstore filled either various decor shelves patterns unique features and rooms Upstairs and downstairs - elevator and stair accessibility Upstairs has a coffee bar Local shops also located upstairs - owners friendly and personable Many forms of art work throughout and photo ops Family and kid friendly. Solo exploring and group date exploring Lots to purchase and hidden Knick knacks to look read more

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It's an overdue review, but it's a landmark, super unique spot, and a must if you love books, or if you want to take really nice photos that are book themed in some way or form (think magical library themed, etc.). The times that I've gone, we've walked from Little Tokyo, but know that you might have to walk through some sketch areas and one time that we visited someone was having an episode outside, but truly that's just another day in LA if anything. Staff here is SUPER knowledgeable. I mention an obscure, STEM related subject, the gentleman working led us to the exact general area and part of the shelf and then pulled several books that were related to the topic that I was inquiring about. Insane. Also the books are super affordable too. In a day and age when literacy rates are abysmal and physical media is perishing, this is awesome. There's also the option to sell and donate to the Last Bookstore, I'd look at their website for details and it's not only just books here, there's CD's, vinyls, and DVD's, and again, physical media heaven. It's just so mesmerizing to see the architecture and decor here, especially how they use books as artwork and how they're arranged into shapes and into photo ops as well. Definitely lots to explore and of course read and dig into. read more

My experience, arriving at the last bookstore in DTLA was one of the best experience of my solo trip in LA. Before you walk in, you are to check your bag with Lee. There's a sign that says it when you walk in and the person checking your bags will let you in and give you a numbered as binder clip. There is so many photo apps in this bookstore. It almost feels like you have to be there half a day and just sit down and enjoy everything they have to offer to read. I went to the poetry section right away, and I thought ' aw man there isn't much,' but I still got to find a book to purchase. I then had to use the bathroom, which didn't have any toilet paper in any stalls. But managed to use the seater paper. Hey whatever works. I was surprised to see that they have merchandise for sale of all kinds of T-shirts and blouses and sweaters. The value for these books are not too expensive, but there is so much to see and if you find the right thing, that's what paying for them buy it. I was also very happy to listen to music of my favorite artist being played. They had several music from Natalia Laforga to Chicano Batman many Spanish songs playing.. The universe truly brought me to this place because I've been wanting a T-shirt for a very long time, and I stumbled upon it without even looking for it. read more

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It's a neat bookstore in DTLA. It's very artsy, rustic, and worn (but in the best way). There's a vast collection of books; something for everyone. I've been here before and it's just a magical place. I recommend everyone comes here at least once. Keep in mind it's in DTLA, parking will not be easy to find, and it's not in the best neighborhood. ‍ I'd come back again. read more

The Last Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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We stopped by here on a random LA adventure trip lol. My best friend wanted to bring her daughter here and I was game when she said bookstore. I love a good bookstore. This one was very unique though, it seemed very post apocalyptic, artsy, type. I loved it and also thought it was such a strange place. It really reminded me of an Alice Wonderland trip, idk how to even explain it lol. It was massive, two stories and kind of a maze. There were various rooms with different topics or genres. Everything was labeled well, so you knew what area you were in. They have some art studies rented out upstairs and we chatted with one artist that was super nice. It's a very eclectic place! I ended up buying one random book that peaked my interest. Interesting spot for sure. read more

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I loved the vibe here. I felt like I'd stepped back in time. You can spend hours here and not get bored. Upstairs was loads of fun. I enjoyed the horror/true crime section inside the vault. The book tunnel was also very cool. I appreciated they had lots of older book in the children's section downstairs, not just the newer stuff. It reminded me of my childhood. There is also a coffee shop and an art gallery upstairs. Vinyl music downstairs. read more

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Five-star bookstore that I like so much I'll spare its Spring Arts Tower Takeover the two-star review and lend it one from the bookstore. There was a comically circuitous line around half the ground floor to get in. Line moved reasonably quickly though, much faster than the elevators. The Event itself is 12-floors of vendors, crafts, and food which sounds great, but... each floor has around 20-25 offices. On average, about 2-3 offices per floor were open and sparsely filled by vendors. When I say sparsely, I mean that with the exception of some jewelry installments, most of the vendors were setup in rooms that made it seem as though the space had been rented out to five different vendors who each got 1/5th of the room to setup their station. Problem was, floor after floor after floor, the other four didn't show up. Overall, it felt completely empty, random and disorganized. Nice building, but definitely not meant for that many people. It'd be a perfectly lackluster way to waste an hour or so if there wasn't a fee for admission. But, since there is, regardless of how cheap, they're still charging people for something that could not have been more overwhelmingly underwhelming. Check out the great bookstore, but if you've ever been to some low-rent flea market in some second-rate city, you've already experienced their Tower Takeover. read more

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A gem. Beautifully constructed, thoughtfully designed with the perfect touches of unique art and book displays. Expansive book selections and an opportunity to disappear into a magical book world for a few hours. Love this place.. will be back! read more

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Decided to visit the last bookstore. I love seeing what art installations they have. They also have a coffee shop upstairs. They have big selection of books. Would recommend this place to anyone. The people are helpful and it's spacious which is nice. read more

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A book lovers dream. I've now been able to make the trip to visit twice. Two floors of endless options to explore. The design of the labyrinth is fun using every space of shelving and more to store books. Different genres throughout including some in off shoot rooms. The prices are super reasonable. A wonderful place to add to your collection and find something new. Theres a cafe and art exhibit upstairs. Parking is as expected in this area. This most recent trip we parked in a structure in Little Tokyo then walked the 15 minutes to the store. A must stop if you're driving through or doing a day trip. Around the corner from Grand Central Market. read more

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Walking into The Last Bookstore feels less like entering a shop and more like stepping into a different world. Housed inside a former bank, the space already carries this grand, historic energy that sets the tone before you even start browsing. What makes this place unforgettable is how it's designed to be explored, not rushed. There are cozy spots scattered throughout where you can sit and get lost in a book, but the real magic is upstairs. It opens into a maze of rooms, each with its own personality, filled with carefully arranged books that feel more like art than inventory. At times, it genuinely feels like you've wandered into a dream. One of the highlights is the famous tunnel of books, which adds to that surreal, almost cinematic experience. Everywhere you turn, books are used as decor in the most creative ways, and it creates this quiet moment where everything else fades out. Upstairs also holds one of my favorite parts, a row of art studios featuring work from local artists. Every piece feels intentional, unique, and thoughtfully placed. Right nearby, there's a small coffee shop surrounded by beautiful artwork, making it an easy place to pause and take it all in. This isn't a quick stop kind of place. Plan to spend a few hours here, wandering, discovering, and just enjoying the atmosphere. It's one of the most iconic bookstores I've ever been to, and it absolutely lives up to the reputation. read more

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to the owner defending their fowl behavior, lie and say that I'm not a repeat customer, but I have spent thousands of dollars in here totaled up upon my visits, have came multiple times on many occasions to buy vinyls, matcha, and clothes from gimmie danger.. I'm literally your neighbor residing 2 blocks away.I normally get Matcha upstairs from the neighboring cafe before entrance and have been coming down here on my days off for the past four to fives months along with friends with the EXACT SAME BAG that was worn the day of the incident. This time did not even make it into the store to spend my money, was singled out because I was alone with my dog with no matcha rather than with friends and a drink so the attitude and demeanor towards me were completely different upon entry. My average purchase in this store each time I shop is from two to $400. The video attached you are saying your security guard is remaining calm but if you actually listen to it, your security guard is mocking me and saying "ha ha you can't come in ha ha you can't come in" on video (I only took out my phone because your "security" told me his name was "a***hole" and was telling me to get the f**k out and spend my money elsewhere"!) the manager was called because of him saying this with a horrible attitude and him cursing at me and rather than your manager, stepping in and taking appropriate action, he let his guard continue to use foul language and aggressively conversate with me having a completely horrible attitude, so yes after 7 minutes of being cursed out and degraded by your "security" and then your "manager" not handling the situation properly, I had every right to be upset and finally respond back with the same words your guard used with me but somehow as a loyal customer getting harassed with those words thrown at me many times first while trying to spend my hard earned money with a small business, im in the wrong... got it. I will never be returning, and I will be spreading the word of how horrible your business and customer service is to other locals of Dtla. I guess supporting a small local business isn't the move and will gladly take my money to Barnes and nobles how your own Securty guard recommended me to while he was cursing me out saying he doesn't give a f how much I spend or about my business read more

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l've been here several times already and I'm always amazed that a place like this even exists. It's such a unique store, and I've picked up books, coffee, and other merchandise on various visits all at good price. Even when I'm not looking to buy anything, it's still worth coming just to explore. The place is unlike anything else. It's also a perfect spot for anyone creating content for a social media travel page. Upstairs you'll find an art gallery and several other shops, while downstairs has old vinyl records and CDs. If you love that classic old bookstore smell, this place has it in full. Personally it's not my favorite, but definitely worth noting for those who do. The main downsides are parking and crowds. Finding a spot by car can be a challenge, and the store draws a good number of tourists so it can get pretty packed. If you're not a fan of crowds, just keep that in mind before you go. read more

The Last Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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This bookstore is so cute and a good place to take pictures and look around! The service was welcoming on the bottom floor when u go in. Although I had gone mostly to look around and take pictures, there is plenty of books of many genres and timestamps! I had looked at some prices and some were not that expensive. read more

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If you're looking for a trendy bookstore but also looking for a place to chill and hangout at, check out the Last Bookstore. Their book collection is easily over 200,000. It is quite literally a bookworms dream. Books range from fantasy to thriller to romance. It was honestly pretty crowded when I visited and also difficult to find parking. But once you find parking, it is worth to take pictures and just look at books and records! read more

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This place is amazing, a book lover's dream! I could probably live here lol. The books are amazingly priced. You will not find better preowned prices on Amazon or other major book resellers, except Goodwill maybe. There are many structures (such as a metal vault) and beautiful designs made from uniquely binded books to relax around and explore. With two floors to adventure in, a cafe area, and even an few artists vendor areas, this is a good location for tourists and locals to get lost in!! read more

If you like books this is the place for you. It is awesome to walk through and look at all the books. There were so many amazing old books to look at. The book tunnel was an impressive construction read more

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This place is all about the vibes and the ambience! If you like old books, vintage records, things of that nature then it's an added bonus! There's also art stores/vendor shops inside the bookstore run by local artists. Is a wide variety and selection of books to choose from. I cannot speak to the value because I did not purchase a book this time. However, my daughter did buy some collectible items that she was really excited about. We came a little bit later so we were able to park on the street right in front of the bookstore. I'm not sure what parking would've been like had we done earlier on street parking was not available. This is definitely a stop for anybody who's into unique places with vintage vibes! read more

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The Last Bookstore is an iconic independent bookstore in downtown Los Angeles. It is known for its vast collection of new and used books, records, and unique art installations like the book tunnel and book arch. Similarly, they have huge record collection, a merch section and a coffeelove shop. Many locals and tourist visit this store for photos without the intention of buying. lol. Guilty as charge! Anyway, I enjoyed the self-guided tour and the vast book collection. Overall, I enjoyed my visit. I recommend you visit this bookstore. read more

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This is a book readers' crazy dream come to life. It's not so much all the books that really make this place shine but the overall layout and the wonderful experience. It's almost like a museum in a way, a museum of books, and these books create amazing art and beautiful scenery. The more you walk, the more crazy art you find, including a tunnel full of books that also makes for a great photo op. On top of that, since this was once a bank, they kept the bank vault and filled it with books, adding to the experience and that eerie feeling that these vaults once held so much money. The little kids section is a bit underwhelming, I must admit. Not a lot to see or do, but cute, but it feels like the stuff there, including the stuffed animals, belongs at a thrift store. You get that little feeling that you're playing at a thrift store, not a bookstore. Also the bathrooms are a huge letdown; they need better maintenance. Other than that, the experience is a great one, and I highly recommend it for all huge book lovers! read more

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from my experience, the last bookstore is one of those places that, if you've seen it on instagram, you already know the one. it's definitely more of a destination than a practical bookstore you'd go to shop at. my instagram feed has seen a few cameos from friends and strangers who've visited, and after seeing it pop up a few times, a friend and i decided to stop by a little while back. that said, i wouldn't really recommend it if you're going in search of a specific book. it's less "grab a book and go" and more "wander and hope something finds you." everything feels pretty scattered, so if you are looking for something in particular, be ready to spend a good amount of time browsing. it does get unbelievably hot inside, especially when the weekend crowds pick up for photos in the iconic book tunnels, shelves, and art installations upstairs. it's definitely a unique shop, but it really leans more "experience" than "practical bookstore." it feels a bit like a bookstore where the real plot is the decor, and the books are almost supporting characters in their own store. i did find it funny how they call out shoplifters with signs outside the entrance though. i've been once, took my photos (bc duh), checked it off the list, and happily moved on. read more

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This place is neat. I love to read and write and thought I really need to get myself to check out this bookstore at least once. I took a whole tour of the place and you can spend a great deal of time here- browsing through ALL genres, going to the comic book sections, scavenging through $1 books laying around in their bins, exploring the art galleries, buying artwork etc. The arched book bridge is fun and a playful photo-op. Personally, I couldn't get myself to read a book comfortably here. The vibe of the place is rustic, odd, and hipster. There are seats but they were all taken by people that look like they've been sitting there with their book for hours and don't plan on leaving anytime soon. There are random, uncomfortable wooden seats spread out upstairs but I would find them in tiny, pitiful corners where there are dead-ends and pretty much looked like a time-out corner! I did like exploring here and this is considered a place to show the out of towners around as an activity. It's old fashioned but missing charm. It just didn't have a warm feel where you can kick back, relax, and read a book for me. It felt more like low-maintenance and melancholy. Outside the bookstore, there's homeless, the streets are trashed up, smelly, and aggressive drivers. read more

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This was my second visit to The Last Bookstore in downtown LA (DTLA) in the last decade. It was definitely worth a second visit. It's a historic landmark in LA and always fun to walk through the labyrinth of books and book shelves lining the path upstairs. That is a must! Located upstairs is also the location of a very instagrammable spot. This bookstore is good for dates and showing out-of-towners around the history of LA. There is a small vinyl record section downstairs and some limited seating. Upstairs, there is a coffee shop with more seating and an art store. Overall, a fun place to add to your DTLA itinerary! read more

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Besides the fact that the photos are cute on Instagram, what a fun place to check out if you have the time. Just minutes away from Phillipe's, we stopped in here to check out this amazing book store. The place is not only full of old and new books, there is some interesting artwork and even a few gift and curio boutiques on the second floor. Photo ops in the book tunnel, a few interesting themed rooms. I did score a few good cookbooks and coffee table books. Will visit again when I have some more time to peruse. Fo ranyone visiting LA in the area, be sure to check it out. Street parking. Expect to walk a little. read more

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Me and my family were walking through Downtown my husband has been here before. This was my first time where you can find old to newer books. When you go upstair I felt like you were going through a maze since there were different type room and you can go through a book tunnel. There were small stores that you buy things. I would recommend this place especially. If you are a book lover! The worker was nice! This place has a coffee shop which was closed but still had a good time looking through the store! read more

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This place is truly a bookworms heaven. I could get lost here for ages in the best way possible!! There's genuinely so many books to choose from, whether theres one title in particular you're looking for or a boxset this place has you covered. One of my favorite features of this bookstore is that they have a bunch of spaces upstairs that can be rented out by different artists that don't have have a traditional brick and mortar to sell their arts, crafts and products. They also have a coffee shop upstairs too. The menu is fairly simple but I think with everything this store already has to offer (goods/ware from local artists, many creavtive photo ops, and variety of seating options) this fits the vibes. The checkout was quick and I loved all the tinkers leading up to the register. Im also very happy with how reasonably priced the books are. I can't wait til the next I'm able to stop by read more

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Bookstores are a rarity and this certainly is the last, great bookstore! Come in and get lost for hours in here! A book lovers dream! Burgess Meredith's character in Time Enough at Last would have been in Nirvana here. Plenty of comfy chairs and nooks to slip into and spend some quality time. While the rest of the city devolves into a dystopian mess, you are tucked away safely amongst the books. You'll never want to leave. read more

Finally a successful attempt to visit the Last Bookstore! I say this cause my boyfriend has tried taking me here before but we struggled with parking and moved onto other things. On this latest visit we look public transportation for the day. From the Union Station you can take the B or D line to Pershing Square and it's a quick walk over. Great spot to visit in LA if you appreciate books or art. It's like book store meets museum. I was in awe at how big this bookstore is. They have a fantastic selection of books of all kinds and unique collectors items as well. There is cute decor upstairs, a cafe, and a little gift shop. A lot of photo friendly spots. My only feedback is that the books could be better organized as I had difficulty finding some items due to their lack of organization. Overall a fun spot to visit for all of my fellow book lovers. I'm old school. I like to hold my books, turn the page, and read without a digital screen. I really appreciate the Last Bookstore and hope that others continue to support them to keep this LA gem in business. read more

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My daughter loves books so we had to visit The Last Bookstore for her 18th birthday. Shout-out to "J" or "Jay" for hooking us up and answering our questions. You made my daughter's birthday a wonderful one. Thank you. This bookstore has so many books and we had a good time looking around. I bought a book and my daughter saw some books she liked as well. There were a lot of quirky decorations to add charm to the place. There's a mix of books, vinyls, lava lamps and more. There's seating throughout and an upstairs and downstairs. There's employees available throughout the store to answer questions. It was a little difficult to find the science section but when we did, there wasn't a large section on Astronomy or Astrophysics but it's cool. There was still a good amount of books throughout in various topics. There was also a naughty area (we didn't go in there) but it's there. Not sure what's in there but I'm glad they have it sectioned off and not just a regular part of the bookstore. Overall, we had a good time walking around looking for books. It was pretty busy and a lot of people seem to have the same idea as us. I was glad to get some pictures under the canopy of books and behind the circle of books. Great place for pictures. read more

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My wife told me we should go to the "Last bookstore" after seeing something about it on Facebook! What a wonderful bookstore (of mostly gently used books), vintage records/vinyl store and space for art installations by books. It also has a coffee shop, next to an art gallery as well as shops offering many unique and hand crafted items. I don't remember the last time I "hung out" at any bookstore for more than 30mins. "The Last bookstore" offers many visual opportunities to keep your eyes open...and eventually find a book or two to look over the dust cover and buy. 10times larger and more creative in terms of their displays than any used bookstore that I've recently visited...it's a book lovers paradise as my wife kept saying and I couldn't agree more. A must visit for books lovers everywhere! read more

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The Last Bookstore is a must stop at least once. It is such a vibe and completely iconic! Not only are there two levels of books to see, there are also records and some for only $2, dvds, art, and so much more! I love the gallery and the artist shops. I also enjoy the room of unique books too. This store has such a unique and creative feel. It's very niche and I highly recommend everyone check it out. The only negative is that it gets a little hot in summer, but they do have nice fans and you can also grab a water or iced coffee in the shop upstairs! read more

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Left a visit this past weekend feeling a bit bummed at the number of empty shelves... Modern fiction, classics, and horror were all pretty sparse. The Last Bookstore straddles the line between bookstore and tourist destination, and often times its difficulty managing the latter compromises your ability to enjoy the former. read more

The moment I walked in, it smelled like books in the best way possible (book lovers will know exactly what I mean) ! It's such a unique and fun bookstore, with every genre you could think of. The coffee shop inside is amazing and makes it the perfect place to relax. I could have spent the entire day there, enjoying a cup of coffee, reading, and being surrounded by other book lovers and good company. read more

The Last Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Watch out, they don't clean as much as they should, saw cockroaches in corners and in between books literally everywhere, I wish I was joking. The floors and even the walls were sticky? They need to ban food, especially in all the darker areas of the store, as it seemed the worst there. Everything was way overpriced for the quality too. Super rude on their Instagram when I tried to bring up the smell and how dirty the store is. Really disgusting here, don't bother. read more

Definitely a Downtown LA icon! This used bookstore is sooooooo cool. Very fun and funky vibe. So many rooms and pathways, it's like a maze with oodles of books from so many genres. My husband and I scored on 8 books between the two of us, for a total of $80. That is soooo reasonable! We also enjoyed cooling off with some drinks from the coffee shop on the 2nd level. The fact that you have to brave the streets of DTLA adds to the experience. We will def be back, and I highly recommend this place to fellow booklovers! read more

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Stumbled into this place by accident. Drove by it couple time but didn't know what it is so when I was happened to be in the area again, I stopped by. It's literally surprising and overwhelming by it. It's old building in DTLA and I would say not in a nice neighborhood since a lot of homeless are surrounding the areas and not quite clean from the outside. But once you stepped inside, it just changed perspectively and makes you forget everything outside and take you back to the good old days of 70s-90s where bookstore is a place to go. This place is just something, from the big open spaces of the main hall to side rooms, upstairs and the vaults, to all the different sections of it, the shops, the plants, the music records area. Just simply magical. Yes there are chairs, couches for you to siting and enjoys the books and places to discovered within the store. The staff here might look rough (not all of them) but they are down to earth and very friendly. Got an old William Shakespeare's book with a good price tag. They do have old, vintage, and current books so plenty to be discovered. The smells of the old books mixed in of the new ones just something that I really love. Or just run my fingers through rows of books and feel the textures of it is just something. If you're in the area or want to get lost, this is the place. Check it out if you can or dare. read more

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I am a native of California and visited the "Last Book Store" Downtown Los Angeles for the first time on 05/17/26. I remember the building that houses the bookstore being a bank many, many years ago. The Last Bookstore is an iconic, huge independently owned bookstore in downtown Los Angeles, famous for its tremendous collection of new and used books, records, and unique art installations like the "book tunnel" and "book arch". Located in a former bank, it's a wonderful maze-like environment full of shelves, hidden spaces, and galleries, making it a popular destination for book lovers, tourists and photographers. It's known for its creative atmosphere, including a coffee shop, and for buying, selling, and trading books and records daily. It was a wonderful experience great for locals, families & tourist. I recommend this bookstore. It is wonderful! The book store is on the corner of 5th & Spring. There is bike parking, parking meters and parking structures near by. read more

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The Last Bookstore might soon actually really become the last remaining bookstore. Nowadays it's hard to find independent book stores anymore. This is a pretty big place, and if you love books, you'll find yourself wondering here for many hours. This place is whimsical, and it's like falling down the rabbit hole in Alice in Wonderland! Definitely a place to visit if you're in DTLA! read more

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