Why visit
Few retail spaces double so well as both a shopping trip and a sightseeing stop. The Last Bookstore rewards browsers with a vast, affordable selection and rewards visitors with genuinely striking architecture and Instagram-famous art installations, all free to wander even if you never buy a book.
Housed in a soaring early-20th-century bank building with marble columns and tall windows, The Last Bookstore blends a serious literary inventory with playful, art-driven design. The ground floor sprawls with new and used books, vinyl records, and a comfortable browsing space, while the mezzanine known as the Labyrinth packs more than 100,000 books into a maze of secondhand stacks, art galleries, and small artist shops. Whimsical installations, like a tunnel built of books and a flying-pages sculpture, have turned the upstairs into a destination in its own right.
More than a store, The Last Bookstore functions as a cultural hub for Downtown Los Angeles, hosting readings, signings, and a community of independent vendors. It is the kind of place where you can lose an hour wandering, stumble onto a one-dollar bargain in the Labyrinth, and leave with a rare find. Whether you are a devoted reader or simply hunting for a great photo, it captures the creative, slightly bohemian spirit of the revitalized DTLA arts scene.
History
The Last Bookstore was founded by Josh Spencer in 2005, beginning as an online operation before opening physical locations and eventually settling into its landmark home in the former Crocker Bank building on Spring Street around 2011. The name nods, with a wink, to widespread fears about the future of print and brick-and-mortar bookselling, and the store has since grown into one of Los Angeles' best-loved independent shops.
Insider Tips
- ✦Head upstairs to the Labyrinth for the most dramatic photo spots and cheapest books.
- ✦Browse the bargain section for one-dollar finds.
- ✦Visit on a weekday to avoid weekend crowds at the book tunnel.
Photo Tips
- 📸Pose inside the iconic arched tunnel made entirely of books upstairs.
- 📸Capture the flying-pages sculpture and the grand bank-vault architecture.
- 📸Use the tall windows on the ground floor for soft natural light on the shelves.
Before You Go
- ✓Bring patience and time, as the upstairs maze is easy to get lost in.
- ✓Check the events calendar for readings and signings during your visit.
- ✓Be courteous with photos, since it is a working store, not a museum.
Visiting with family
Kids enjoy the maze-like Labyrinth and the quirky art installations, though keep an eye on little ones near the stairs and tight stacks.
Where to Eat Nearby
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The Last Bookstore FAQ
Is The Last Bookstore free to visit?
Yes, entry and browsing are free; you only pay if you buy books or merchandise.
Where is the famous book tunnel?
The book tunnel and other art installations are upstairs in the Labyrinth section, reachable by stairs.
Does it sell new books too?
Yes, it carries both new and used books, plus vinyl records and items from independent vendors.
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