During these restless times, words are one of the few places where we can find solace. Hong Kong, perhaps sometimes unfairly called a “cultural desert” , is actually home to numerous indie bookstores. We have handpicked eight indie book shops that you should pay a visit to, to awake your inner bookworm.
One Seventh Bookshop
One Seventh Bookshop is a modern reading concept that was once found in Sham Shui Po, Yau Ma Tei and most recently in Wan Chai. Different to most bookstores, One Seventh is also a co-working space where seven owners, each occupying a seventh of the shop’s space, present their selection of books and occasionally locally designed goods.
Address: G2B, C. C. Wu Building, 302-308 Hennessey Road, Wan Chai
Have A Nice Stay Bookstore
Founded just this year by five journalists and reporters from numerous news platforms that Hong Kong has lost post-National-Security-Law, Have A Nice Stay (Hans Bookstore) is where you readers find all sorts of non-fiction novels and a variety of second-hand books. Hans Bookstore also preserved furniture from the offices of the late news platforms loved by the city.
Address: 4/F, 228 Sai Yeung Choi Street South, Mong Kok
Books & Co
Books & Co gives off the vibe of a neighborhood bookshop in the streets of Europe — but in Sai Ying Pun. In between the stacks and shelves of books, the bookstore-café also serves coffee and light meals, making it a great place to spend a peaceful weekend afternoon accompanied by books and coffee.
Address: 10 Park Road, Mid Levels
Art and Culture Outreach
Opened in 2003, Art and Culture Outreach (ACO) has been a famous spot among young hipsters and is now sitting inside Foo Tak Building, the birthplace of many young cultural concepts in the city. Besides piles of avant-garde foreign literature, ACO also hosts book launches, live music sessions and talks to inject the city with life through arts.
Address: 14/F, Foo Tak Building, 365-367 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai
Mount Zero
Another hidden gem in the Mid-Levels, Mount Zero was founded in 2018 and has since been at the forefront of promoting local and Taiwanese literature. The bookstore is home to modern classics, local research magazines, and more translated literature, besides hosting occasional book clubs and movie nights. If you love everything culture-related, Mount Zero is where you will meet like-minded people.
Address: 6C, Tai Ping Shan Street, Sheung Wan
Flow Bookshop
Opened in 1997, Flow Bookshop in Sheung Wan is a bibliophile’s heaven. From modern classics and coffee table books to vintage books from the 18th century, Flow is the best place for a bookworm’s treasure hunt. The house is also more than happy to take book donations from you and help them find new owners.
Address: G/F-1/F, Kai Fung Mansion, 189 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan
Hong Kong Reader Bookstore
Located in Hong Kong’s youth cultural hub Mong Kok, Hong Kong Reader Bookstore houses a wide selection of social science and humanities books. Popular among Hong Kong book lovers, the bookshop is known for frequently hosting book launches, mini concerts and online and offline book clubs.
Address: 7F, 68 Sai Yeung Choi Street South, Mong Kok
Spirit Book Store
Many Hongkongers have spent numerous hours of their childhood at the Spirit Book Store. The veteran second-hand bookstore takes all sorts of books: vintage history books, teen novels and even exercise books. Besides searching for the missing finale in your favorite teen novel series, you can also send your pre-loved books to contribute to the Spirit book collection for some extra cash.
Address: Kin Yip Mansion, 24 Java Road, North Point
