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Sip, read, repeat: The best café-bookshops to visit in Manchester

News | 3rd April 2025

By Mahek Saxena

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There is something magical about a fresh cup of coffee and the crisp pages of a new book.

In Manchester, some bookstores go beyond selling books, offering not only a perfect reading space but also a hub to study, socialise, and soak in the city’s creative energy. So whether you want to read, sip or find your community, these are the top three bookshops that have it all.

Blackwells  

Based at: 146 Oxford Road, University Green, Manchester.

Established in 1824, Blackwells is more than just a bookstore. It’s a place for creative spirits, curious minds and all trending book lovers. Originally founded to attend to the academic needs of students in Manchester, this bookstore has expanded its variety to cater everyone who steps inside.  

Beyond the shelved stacked with books, Blackwells has an iconic line-up of literary events, from intimate poetry nights to group readings. These events run all month long with all details on their website.  

The interior of Blackwells bookshop, taken from the top of a staircase. The camera is angled down to a room with a hardwood floor filled with bookshelves, tables, and postcard racks. The left wall is made entirely of glass, with patches of grass and a pavement visible outside. Customers mill around the room. A large red, blue, and yellow Brutalist mural is visible on the upper right wall.
Blackwells bookshop | Credit: Mahek Saxena

Blackwells is also a hub that actively seeks and supports emerging voices. Every month at least ten new authors come in to share their work, offering everyone a chance to engage with fresh perspectives and next big names in literature!  

Chris, the manager of Blackwells said: “I wish this place to be welcoming to everyone who visits, as we are a bit more adventurous with our books, with some niche kind of books, classics and even some strong elements of non-fiction.”  

The interior of Blackwells bookshop, taken from a staircase. The camera is pointed between two floors: on the ground floor is a large room filled with bookshelves; on the first floor is a Caffè Nero, separated by a glass barrier. On the floor in between is a timeline of the bookshop's history. On the left of the image is a large red, blue, and yellow Brutalist mural of a woman painted above the bookshelves.
Blackwells bookshop Caffè Nero | Credit: Mahek Saxena

The store truly has a huge collection of all genres from non-fiction, gothic literature, indie books, BookTok famous fictions and classics from all around the world.  

Blackwells have an in-house Café Nero along with a gift shop, so be ready to grab your pick and find a cosy corner in this vintage hub!  

The interior of Blackwells bookshop. In the bottom half of the image are rows of bookshelves. Above them is a Brutalist mural painted in red, blue, and yellow, with greyscale portraits of various women.
Blackwells bookshop mural | Credit: Mahek Saxena

Queer Lit  

Based at: 27 Great Ancoats St, Ancoats, Manchester.

Where books are as bold as the coffee and each store is a celebration of love, identity and belonging, Queer Lit in Manchester is not only a bookstore but a sanctuary for LGBTQ+ community. With its bohemian core space and their own café, Queer Lit provides a magical space for everyone who comes in. 

Molly, a book seller in the store, said: “Queer Lit was created as a safe space, a place for connection and belonging. Whether you’re stopping by for a cup of coffee or diving into a new book, Queer Lit ensures that everyone can find a sense of community within its walls.” 

The interior of Queer Lit bookshop. Several round, black tables with yellow and green chairs are visible in the foreground. In the background behind some green painted pillars is a room filled with bookshelves.
Queer Lit | Credit: Mahek Saxena

A unique aspect of the bookstore is their commitment to ensure that each book in their shelves represents at least one part of the LGBTQ+ community. The genres vary from fiction, fantasy, mysteries, memoires, poetry etc. 

Queer Lit hosts a variety of group readings where people gather not only to read new literature, but also to connect, share and discover more about themselves. They take various initiatives like their programme, ‘Free Books for Schools’, where they donate 100 LGBTQ+ books each month to schools across the UK.  

A table inside Queer Lit. The table is filled with hardback copies of Alice Oseman's Heartstopper graphic novel. There is a rainbow tote bag with the Queer Lit logo on display alongside them. In the background are rows of bookshelves.
Queer Lit bookshelf | Credit: Mahek Saxena

In addition, Queer Lit said they also believe LGBTQ+ voices need to be heard in places where legislative changes are made. In 2021, they donated 300 copies of Trans Britain to MPs to give them a deeper understanding of Britain’s transgender community, in the hopes of giving MPs a more educated stance when discussing legislation affecting them.  

This bookstore is a place for likeminded individuals to celebrate Queer stories and reflect on their journeys, all while sipping a warm cup of coffee. The store’s personal recommendation for first time visitors is ‘Song of Achilles’. 

Mala (formerly Chapter One Books)  

Based at: Chatsworth House, 23 Lever St, Manchester.

If you are looking for the perfect blend of good coffee, jazzy vibes and a space for productivity, don’t look further than Mala – the space that’s been turning heads in Manchester. Mala was a hub borne out of passion to create something unique: a speciality coffee shop with a library where people can get their caffeine fix while crossing off their to-do lists.  

Manager Iyaan Khan said: “Mala was made to serve the finest coffee with their in-house roast beans, and craft a space where productivity meets comfort.” 

The interior of Mala bookshop and bar. The room has a glass ceiling and is held up by wooden planks and pillars, strung with red and white ribbons and fake ivy. A disco ball also hangs overhead. the room is lit by living room lamps, and the furniture comprises of long wooden table and benches and wooden picnic table sets on Astroturf.
Mala bookshop and bar | Credit: Mahek Saxena

Beyond the great coffee (with fan-favourite pistachio lattes and Spanish lattes), Mala is known for its rotating selection of cakes, as well as a dynamic menu that keeps visitors coming back for more. From April, they would also be offering breakfast and brunch menus for those just starting their day.  

Mala is ever-changing when it comes to events. That includes everything from poetry nights to painting sessions, ensuring there’s always something to inspire growth. When the sun sets, the bookstore transforms into a lively social hub with jazz music, making it the perfect spot for a relaxed evening out. 

Mala is just so much more than a bookstore, it’s a space where coffee, creativity and community come together to feed both your mind and soul.  

the library inside Mala bookshop and bar. A computer and water bottle are lit up by a green librarian's lamp. The rest of the room is fark, with tall, dark bookshelves stretching from floor to ceiling behind.
Mala’s library room | Credit: Mahek Saxena

Each of these bookstores offer more than just books – they create experiences, memories, and communities, all while blending literature and coffee in serene and inviting ways. Whether you are looking for a cosy corner to read, a place to meet with like minded individuals, or somewhere to grab a great cup of coffee with some cakes, these literary havens in Manchester are just the spots to go to for something special.