Changing Hands Bookstore

Category:	Book Store
Address:	300 W Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA
Phone:	+1 602-274-0067
Site:	changinghands.com
Rating:	4.6
Working:	9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–8PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 12

Carlotta Horrace

This is ABSOLUTELY a SUPER bookstore, and so far, my favorite one here in Phoenix. (Mind you, its only been 21 months, but overall, I DO know my bookstores, after nationwide exposure!) The GREAT points are: 1. The eclectic selection [they have the kind of books that I, (PERSONALLY,) LOVE; LOTS of Creativity, Self-Development, Spirituality (VS Religion!) and Spiritual Growth, etc...] 2. The UNIQUE and SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE gift and "REALLY CUTE STUFF" scattered throughout. . 3. The VERY nice coffee bar with WiFi, And attached (EVEN BETTER!) -> !!! Comfy LOUNGE !!! area for Hanging Out, with mucho OUTLET support ! ! ! . .. AND ... 4. The AWESOME lineup of speakers, workshops, and just plain FUN activities that they schedule on a regular basis, with nationally recognized authors and speakers. Bravo! The ONLY bad points: 1. Well... Space. Its a wee bit crowded, AND . .. well, MORE books, MORE Cute Stuff, etc, etc, would be just great. I DO understand that the Tempe store IS bigger, but - its in TEMPE, guys. I LIKE that area there, and I live HERE. 2. Would like to see the coffee bar menu expanded just a (wee?) bit ... Just maybe a (BLENDER?) Its Phoenix. Something ICY would be just GREAT, 10 months out of the year . .. if not a blender, then a [FREEZER?] for pre-frozen, low time-consumption concoctions (i.e. ice cream, sherbet, smoothie MIX?) Just a suggestion. Finally: . .. #3. I know we "Gotta Make Money" . .. but after a long hard week, I headed to my FAVORITE hangout with a (new) out-of-town guest, bragging about my ... well, "Hang-out" and what was happening? A (Loud!), (Private!), reception. They were slightly disturbing our literary "Ambience" on the other side of the coffee bar, and in ANY case, the point was, there was almost no room to just really RELAX and "HANG" a bit. [Just a (little) corner of that big room for us ... I would have even PAID a small cover charge for the privilege. AND ... There were no outlets on our side, and THEY werent even using them (!!) as we (bookphiles) indignantly, but quietly, and politely, observed to each other across the way. Okay. All done. Sorry about the soapbox.] So, thats my spiel for the day, and AGAIN - Overall, I LOVE this place!

Angela Colabucci-English

I absolutely love the concept of a bookstore/ coffee shop and bar. The fact that I can grab a glass of pinot and browse books is just heavenly! Its a wonderful little hang out attached to a restaurant and full service bar in case you get hungry or decide you want to drink something a little stronger than wine or beer at the bookstore. They have an amazing book selection and I find smething new and interesting every time I visit the place. Its honestly the cutest! Also, recently I went to an AWESOME midnight Harry Potter book release party and I gotta say, they really outdid themselves. From the costume contest, to trivia, to table top quidditch, to fortune telling- It was an absolute blast! They had old potions bottles on tables, a Harry Potter themed snack and drink menu, and a chimney with envelopes falling from the sky :) Although, it was jam-packed, it seemed like First Draft really tried to make everyone happy and got the books out to everyone right at midnight.

Carnie Black

If you sit at the bar and have coffee, the wine glasses sparkle invitingly overhead. "Carnie, darling, have a wine," they beckon. "Its nine oclock in the morning." "Its wine, love. Lovely wine." In all fairness, the bar seats are hard, and they didnt have coffee, which seemed to embarrass the barista just as much each and every time he had to say so. Plus, instead of offering wine as a substitute, he offered me an Americano. But, what can I say? He was a darling. In all fairness, what this place lacked in seat cushions and a properly operating coffee maker, it more than made up for in ambiance. Well-lit, no screaming grinders, and scent of books and incense made for a pleasant visit. Im going back soon. But, not for coffee.

Jason Eneboe

My favorite bookstore in the Phoenix. Great place for books and unique gifts. If I had to rate First Draft I would give it a 1 star review - happy hour prices werent updated online and arent even a good deal, since the food and drinks are already outrageously overpriced (e.g. standard pretzel for $8). It is a great concept and cute name but it really bugs me that First Draft prices everything as if it were at a ballpark.

Sebastian Zachary

I expected more used books, but most of the selection was brand new stuff at full price. Which isnt terrible, but I just dont have the kind of money to be spending on a lot of books at $15+ per when I can get it cheaper somewhere else. There also wasnt any selection at all for mass market paperbacks. The fact that they have a bar in the place was pretty neat though. Definitely a more upscale place!

Loretta Love Huff

This bookstore has some of the most unique and amazing books Ive ever seen. Its a bit hard to see from the street so you have to pay attention. There are meeting rooms in the back. The large room is a community space but its quiet, so still functional. One of my favorite places.They have wifi and healthy, light cuisine plus a bar. They also have small private meeting rooms for a fee.

Ashley Petersen

This is a great mix between used bookstore and new releases. Its got a reliable selection of a little bit of everything, with added bonus of quirky gifts, and small cafe/bistro where you can get coffee and snacks. It hosts live events, and has an adjoining restaurant, so if you love browsing bookstores and wish you could make an entire date night out of it, this is the place.

Elizabeth Wilcox

Not the best selection of books, but a very cool atmosphere, made even better by the presence of First Draft. Seriously, sitting down to read in a bar in a bookstore? It doesnt get much better than that! They also have a stamp card, so every $10 you spend you get a stamp, and when youve spent $100, you get $10 off your next purchase. Definitely worth stopping by.

Heather Marek

A bookstore, coffee shop, and bar all in one. Changing Hands is a favorite place to meet friends, browse the stacks, and hear an excellent speaker. Check out their website for their event listings. There is something for all ages to enjoy. My kids like the weekly story hours and occasionally a unique visitor from one of their favorite books will visit.

Kymberlyn Reed

A bookstore and a bar. What could possibly be better than that? This is a unique bookstore with a pretty good selection of titles and unique gifts (though theyre really going to have to work on carrying more PoC authors in their science-fiction/fantasy and YA sections. Seriously no Nisi Shawl or Nnedi Okorafor or Tannarive Due

Sheryl Hugill

This is one of my happy places. Its a great bookstore, with both new and used books, but it also has a nice little coffee and beer/wine bar in it with some food options as well. What more could you want? They also hold events here. This is simply a great space. I love coming here to browse books, grab a beer, and/or write.

Gloria Trejo

This is a great book store, easy to lose track of time here. They have new and used books along with trinkets and small gifts. They hold live performances with authors and seek local items as well. I love that they have benches dispersed throughout so you can look through a book and decide which to buy. With a try.