Archives is one of the best second-hand bookstores in Australia. It is staffed by very helpful people who love books and the layout is rather like entering an Escher drawing. It is a Bibliophile's oasis and well worth a visit. The only thing it lacks is an on-site Cafe but there are plenty of those in the neighborhood, so it isn't a major omission. It is just that the smell of old books combined with that of coffee is a major aggregative pheromone for book lovers, almost an aphrodisiac. If the owners of Archives could distill it and spray it around the footpath their sales might go through the roof. But then of course stampeding bibliophile's and tramplings unto death might be an unfortunate unintended consequence. The topic needs research and there is probably at least one book on the subject lurking somewhere in the labyrinth-like depths of Archives.

For years, I’ve loved this awesome bookstore. The range is magnificent. A trip to Brisbane is not the same without spending a few hours among their thousands of offerings. Unfortunately I was unable to visit on my recent trip, so I called and asked for help in finding my desired choices. I spoke with Hamish who, despite being alone (and probably busy) was both understanding and helpful. This is a person I can trust. I feel it. And so, I’ll leave it to him to select the books I need - and then I’ll pay by card and have the books shipped to me. Confidence, competence and care. Who could ask for more? I have haunted bookshops all over the world - from New York to London to Paris - but this is my favourite. Highly recommended.

THIS PLACE IS AWESOME. They have books for anyone and everything. Every single staff member is one of the friendliest people you will meet, ever and know the store like the back of their hand. I've gotten everything from the davinci code in japanese to books on Ancient Greece to help me get an A+ in my ancient history assignments. Also for all you shy ppl too scared to ask if they have manga, they do. Turn right past the main desk as you walk in and its on a shelf there. Their range of international books is insane and have absolutely helped me to improve my Japanese marks. Thank you everyone who works here and thank you archives, for providing such an amazing service, I'll never stop coming to you.

Absolutely love this shop and I visit it every time I'm in Brisbane city. The selection of all different sorts of books would rival any library and there are some truly rare and amazing finds to be discovered. You can also sell books here so you can walk in for a trade if you are short of money. I also thought one beautiful book was slightly overpriced as it was marked at $89, but after consulting the owner/manager and he agreed (after a little research) and sold me the book for $25 making my day. Will return here time and time again whether it's to add to my growing library or to find a unique gift for a loved one. Love books like I do? You will not be disappointed with a visit here.

It's a decent book store, although I was not impressed when they said they'd give me a $2 in-store credit for a brand new undamaged book, that I purchased only a month ago from QBD. It was $32 new. What a joke. I obviously didn't agree with practically donating my book to them. The old fellow that works there most of the time isn't the friendliest chap (comes across like he has better things to do than be interacting with a customer), although the ladies that work there are very pleasant to deal with. Besides that, they pick up some hard to find, good condition books that are a reasonable price. Plus, their shop is really cool and old.

Can’t go wrong with Archives Fine books. Great quality of books, range, service and atmosphere. Truly the best rare find shop in Brisbane! The range really is wide, from your modern classics, translated books, cookbooks, to local authors, the stores’ got it all. Most of the time they’re in really great quality, and if not, they’ve always got some compromise for you. Great prices, the interior is charming, and service are friendly, knowledgeable and welcoming. Can’t resist coming here everytime I’m in the city or on the way home from uni. You never know what gem you’re going to find. Highly recommend the visit.

Absolute heaven for any bibliophile or if you just have a special interest. In just 1 visit I found 9 hard to find books for my husband. All non-fiction. Some vintage and some more recent. He was super happy with me. I also found several treasures for me. Happy sigh.... The sheer delight of searching through aisles and aisles of amazing books was the highlight of my trip to Brisbane. Oh and the staff are incredibly knowledgeable, very friendly and helpful. I HIGHLY recommend you pay a visit to Archives Fine Books. You won't be disappointed.

This is the best dream place of people who love history and reading..like me..and I could stay here for days straight!! The quietness and the sound of the creaking floor is the perfect combination of a novel inspiration which I have been waiting for. I also adore the old, maybe ancient, books with their lovely spines and pages; and the heavenly smell when entering the library. I shall return. :) Wide genre of books + great location and ambiance + friendly staff/owner(?) = a HUGE thumbs up! <3

This place has books on every conceivable subject. If you are looking for something in particular, find the right section (ask the lady on the desk: that will save you time). Then be prepared to search carefully and methodically. The cataloging isn't perfect and some shelves are too high up to reach from the floor. Again, just ask for a ladder if you need one. When you find a book, expect to pay a fair price for it. Remember, they have to make a long too.

Interesting secondhand book store, with a large selection. They have lots of different and probably harder to find books. The shelves are very high and rickety which made then feel like they might fall down if you weren't careful, the lighting in some areas is terrible, which is a problem when you are trying to read book spines and the process of their second hand fiction books were too expensive.

Very friendly staff in here, with a really amazing selection of second hand books on literally any genre you can imagine. I asked for a genre I was interested in (magic tricks) and the shopkeeper actually went out of his way to look for more books he had at the counter, and handed them to me for my consideration and perusal. Great books, great service, very satisfied with my purchases.

What an amazing place. As bookstores disappear from the landscape we should treasure those that hang on, particularly those dedicated to archiving literature and supporting it. So many books each with its own story and someone to help you find that book you are looking for. Or just a place to wander about and be amazed by the number and variety of books available. Well worth a look.

A very very cool and interesting store, maintained by very passionate people who you can clearly tell, love their books and will always have a nice chat too. My friend found out they had a very old and rare memoir that was close to 200 years old, proceeded to inquire then buy it, and Archives even gave her a discount! Would definitely recommend to all book lovers and collectors.

Owner is very very rude and arrogant. After ringing them several times to confirm they would definitely be interested in buyin get told yes everytime with $1000s of books most books $100-200 per book yet not good enough for him I guess Picasso and alike mean nothing to him oh well his loss. Very passed of customer thou after driving over 1hr to take them there an get told no

Recently moved into the CBD and was thrilled to find a bookstore down the road. Had some books that I wanted to swap/recycle. Wandered down and had all twenty books summarily and rudely rejected. Maybe they weren't mouldy enough. The rejection was a bit disheartening no real explanation and the rudeness was an added bonus. Will not be going back. Stick to the library folks!

Fantastic second hand book store. We must have spent an hour and a half in there. The staff are incredibly friendly, and even gave us a discount without asking on our stack of fiction novels. So much to look at for all interests. If your hungry afterwards, there's Nando's across the road, and the pancake manor next door. I highly recommend visiting this old book store.

This place is absolutely great . I have been looking for some titles that I have been missing and found three of them here . Love the look inside , you need ladders to access the highest shelves. Reminds me of a Harry Potter scene. I have a list of books that I am looking for and will definitely be back here. Very highly recommend that you go here

Amazing range of literature. Pretty well-organised. It has expanded into a wing at the back, with a lovely large table for people to examine books at. Rare finds to be had. Friendly and knowledgeable service. Convenient location beside the Pancake Manor. Must-visit for all book-lovers. Sold some books here for $2 apiece when I left Brisbane for awhile.

I had planned to visit this store for some time, today I stopped in to chase up some books which are no longer in print. Unfortunately I was out of luck but enjoyed wondering through-out the vast number of books this second hand store has to offer. I will return with a longer list next time. Worthwhile dropping in when in Brisbane city next.

You can easily lose hours wandering the aisles of this beautiful old bookshop! They have an incredibly vast range of books, you're almost certain to find something you like if you browse for long enough. The staff are also super helpful if you're on the hunt for a particular book. Definitely recommend checking out if you're in the city!

It's not one of the best second hand bookstores I've been to, but it's good that there's one in Brisbane. The shelves need a serious cleaning and sorting. There is also a sign says "American express cards welcome", and when I paid with Amex, the staff said anything except American express! Anyway the bookstore needs a thorough clean up.

A great hidden discovery in the heart of the CBD, easy to get to, Archive has a fantastic selection of used books in a variety of conditions and ages. Notably the entrance wall to the left has one of the largest collections of hard and leather bound 1800-1950's first and special edition books. Mind that smell, but you'll adjust.

Amazing store with every book you could dream of but not the one I went in looking for! Could have came out of there with a lorry load of books but had to control myself. The layout is great and easy to navigate to find what you want or are interested in. The lady in the store was also really friendly and helpful. ☺️

I’ve been going to Archives since I was a little boy (trust me, that’s a long time). You will savour your first visit, the smell, the creaking floor, the stacks that seem to go on forever. So you could go for the endless books, but you’ll always remember the wonderful experience. Also, go buy a book, share the love.

I cannot recommend them highly enough. Have been a customer since the 80's and they still deliver great service with both friendliness and expertise. If you are yet to find them, please find the time to plonk yourself down on those wonderful, creaky wooden floors and immerse yourself in books and memories.

This book store is super cool. It’s massive and has a really big selection. You need a good amount of time to look in the store. The back room is really cool as well, there’s a big table and you can sit down and read there. It’s right in the cbd but is also hidden which makes it that bit more special.

I must have stood at the door for a ridiculous amount of time, staring into the stacks in absolute wonder and delight.. the shelves seem to go on forever and I felt like there were books staring at me, just waiting to be picked up. I was amazed, and am so happy that I stumbled across this gem ♥️

It's incredible that such an expansive and authentic bookstore could hide itself so central in Brisbane City. Old books, new books, book collections; you name it - they have it! There is also a peaceful reading table hidden at the back of the store if you need a quiet place to read or study.

A wonderful bookstore! Such a massive selection that it was almost overwhelming trying to look through them all. The store was very well organised into clear sections though, which made navigation easier. The lady at the register was pleasant and very knowledgeable about her stock.

We seek out this little book shop at each opportunity that we manage to go to Brisbane. I'm sure that there is something there for absolutely everyone. If you can't find what you are looking for, just ask the lovely people that work there , Old Books are their passion , I am sure

Always enjoy dropping by here. Wide selection of books of all types - I seem to remember an entire section on Mesoamerican culture and history, for example. There really is something for everyone here. The staff members have been very helpful when trying to find an obscure book.

One of the only surviving bookshops left. The place is huge, so allow yourself a good amount of time to find that gem. You might be surprised at what you find. I often go there looking for a title, and walk out with it, as well as that gem I'd thought was to elude me forever.

This is without doubt the best second-hand bookshop in Brisbane. I can spend hours navigating the shelves. There is a great selection of books for everyone and prices are extremely good (I've always paid between $10 and $20 for magnifique and well-looked after titles).

Staff are always super friendly, wanted to help remove some sticker residue from the cover, which I didn’t mind at all, and their warming interest in the titles I pick up wash away any ounce of guilt I feel for buying yet another book Love this place! ❤️ …

This place is truly magical. The smell of old books welcomes you with open arms. Roof tall bookshelves filled with old and new material. I love popping in every so often and filling my arms with old psychology textbooks. You never know what you might find.

Finally decided to look inside - wow! I work in the city and walk past this all the time. Undoubtedly the most stunning bookshop I’ve ever been in. Very quaint, a great atmosphere to enjoy flicking through all kinds of books. Great range and fairly priced.

Feels like a holy place for any and all book lovers. The staff are friendly and helpful and the place itself is immaculate. The books range from new to absolutely ancient and the prices are very very fair. Will be back to drool over the range again

My favourite sort of bookshop. Stacked high to the ceiling with books, but it's also very well organised and fairly easy to find what you're looking for if you ask the staff. Some real gems to find here, first editions and the like. Will return!

A hidden jewel in Brisbane metropolis. The interiors transport you to another time - somewhere in the past, no digital glares, only the sight and smell and touch of books. And the smell - oh, old books, new books together they smell better

This place was a mainstay of my teenage and early 20s years. Then I moved 2 states away, but would always try and pop in when on holidays. Now I'm back, and I'm so glad I get to check it out first for finding books before I try elsewhere.

Such a cute bookstore, the interior is so pretty And I was able to find some really interesting books. The price is a little steep but most books I wouldn't mind paying for :) Staff seemed really nice and knowledgeable as well :)

Amazing place to get lost in a world of books new and old, I travelled all the way from Melbourne to come to the bookstore and it was a beautiful building with the creaking floorboards which added to the ambience

My first time back in store after years of being away, and it’s just like I remember it. Such a treasure trove of wonderful books, and the staff are very friendly and helpful! An absolute must for book lovers

I love this book shop, I could honestly spend hours here. The books are very fairly priced and in excellent condition. Bonus points: it has that 'old book' smell and creaky floors to complete the experience.

A seriously good book shop, creaky floor boards, musky old book smell and books, oh wow I mean books! Millions of them! On every subject. I always try to come here every time I come to Brisbane. Brilliant.

Going into this bookstore is like stepping into another world. I spend hours here every month and there are so many treasures to find. Absolutely worth a visit for anyone visiting or living in Brisbane.

I love Archives, best secondhand bookshop in the city. Lots of special interest titles watch out you can spend hours here! Possibly one of the best sections for pre-loved literature I have ever browsed

Beautiful second-hand bookstore. An essential visit for book lovers in Brisbane. Found some great books and they're fairly priced. Customer service is lovely, and their workshops look fascinating.

My favourite bookshop. It's like a treasure of information. Books that one can find in new and flash bookshops, are most likely available here. If you know what you want, you will find it here

Delightful, old school second-hand books store. Huge range and all the atmosphere and smells of a proper bookstore. If they had a place to sit for coffee I'd probably spend all day there.

Shopped here on a few occasions. Always smells amazing, and i love the random selections, and finding that one book you needed that was out of print. Staff are always very friendly.

Brilliant store with a fantastic collection of books on absolutely every topic you could think of. Books are reasonably priced, and the staff are lovely, and very helpful.

I've been in there 3 times in the past couple of weeks and absolutely love it. It's without a doubt the best bookstore I've ever been into. I highly recommend visiting.

Real cozy! The staff are very, very friendly too! There's such a great range of books for great prices, and the scifi section has many books by the best classic authors

This place is awesome! Go there. Buy books. Incredible. So many really cool and rare books, and staff were really passionate and knew their stuff. Thanks guys :)

First time in this store and I fell in love, lots of old books to explore. The atmosphere was nice and cozy. Cheap price, easy to find anything you liked.

Absolutely amazing bookstore with a bit of everything, from rare collectible books to pulpy noir thrillers. Easy to lose an hour or so wandering through.

Fabulous place. Always ask for help. Trouble is, I can never remember what I have on my shelf, so I've got multiple copies of lots of books …

Awesome place to visit, especially if you're a book lover like me. So many titles to look through. I could get lost in the stacks for hours.

One of Brisbane’s hidden gems! The perfect spot to find something niche or simply browse. A perfect rainy day activity for any bibliophile.

This place was so pretty and fun!! It’s was very aesthetic and allowed us to do whatever we wanted in the time we had!! very recommend

Had a lovely visit with my granddaughter to this shop on a Saturday morning. Lots of very interesting books at realistic prices.

Great selection of books with many unusual titles. I visit this shop every time I’m in Brisbane and I never leave empty handed.

Just love this bookstore.. so much variety & the prices are reasonable. Great spot to buy a special gift for a bookie mate

Pretty cool to see so many old and new books in one place. The sections are set out pretty well and a lot to look at.

Fantastic! Fantastic! Fantastic! Great bookstore that you could simply spend hours in! Great staff. Very helpful.

Beautiful store! Many rare finds. The shop itself is enchanting! With creeky floorboards and books on all topics

If you love books, old or new, this is a must visit. You can get second hand books, good quality, better price.

Beautiful & wonderful, what an enjoyable shop to browse! Some of the most amazing secondhand books I've seen.

Amazing collection of vintage books, I love the old Sci-fi and found a great selection here. Thanks Richard!

I'd avoid this business as past reviews about the owner couldn't be more accurate; he is a horrible person.

lovely shop. All the books in each section are in alphabetical order. well worth a visit when in Brisbane.

Beautiful bookstore and friendly and polite stuff. It's definitely one of my favourite places in Brisbane.

Great range, prices are alot cheaper than they used to be under previous owner. Lovely, helpful staff.

Just had that old library feel. Such a great place to get lost in. Variety of books to choose from.

It was well maintained and so organized! I can spend hours here just finding new discoveries ☺️

A Brisbane treasure! My husband and I spent several hours here and found a lot of unique books.

Absolutely fantastic 2nd hand book store.. love visiting here when I'm in Brisbane!

I was lost in this bookstore. I really thought I could spend my whole life there.

Excellent. Friendly, helpful staff and a lovely set up. Fantastic books.

Gorgeous old bookstore with a huge collection and a bunch of hidden gems

A little slice of heaven in the CBD. I could spend hours in here.

Insane amount of books! Nice and quite space to go in a busy city

Great bookshop right in the city. Good to see somethings persist.

Big store with thousands of books at very reasonable prices.

I FOUND GREAT BOOKS HEAR AND DAWN IS LOVELWY THE OWNER

Big selection of diverse books 2 visits in one holiday

Great selection of books both modern and antiquities

Very Cool. Could spend hours here

Oh yeah! They got books!