Owner is misunderstood- he comes across rude on the surface if you dont know him, but interacting with him for more than 2 minutes youll see he is a very well-meaning nuerodivergent fellow who cares first and foremost about maintaining his shop (ultimately for the customers benefit). He is sharp and to the point with his speech, but was extremely helpful and knew where everything was, A-Z, like the back of his hand. Wouldnt be surprised if his memory was photographic. I do recommend coming here, came with 2 others and we all found something we loved, just be patient if you feel like youre being talked down to- its not his intention.

Someone is paying this fool to stay in business so he doesnt go feral in public. Misunderstood neurodivergence doesnt give a shopkeeper a free pass to be rude. Just admit the store is nothing but an autistic mans hoard that the dirty neurotypicals shouldnt touch.

The store owner should put a sign at the entrance so we are aware up front that touching of the books is not allowed. That would have spared us from his rude behavior and saved us time. I like to skim through the book that I intend to buy before I make the purchase but doing that was a mistake in this store. Made us feel very unwelcomed so we wont be returning again.

Extremely rude shopkeeper. We went in there coz we like to support small businesses but we were treated as if we were shop-lifters. I would have given it negative stars if there was an option. Never coming back here again.

The man working here was incredibly unhelpful. I asked him if they had any Led Zeppelin records and he told me that if I wasn’t planning on buying them, I couldn’t see them. He had “worked a very long day” and “didn’t have the energy” to show anyone something that they weren’t planning on buying. I will never go back here, left a bad taste in my mouth. I feel bad for him.

Owner is extremely rude! Looked at a magazine that I apparently wasn’t supposed to touch. Owner went on and on for a good 5 min about how there’s a sign there and maybe he should make it bigger because people never seem to follow it, etc. Wife was going to buy a book but decided not to because owner was disgustingly rude and treated me like absolute trash. There are much better locally owned bookstores around.

Owner was incredibly and unnecessarily rude to a customer who put a book back on the shelf, but not to his liking. Also was being creepy toward another female in the store. Wont be returning and wont be recommending to anyone. There are many better record stores out there!

I have never met a ruder employee. wow. The store clerk was so extremely rude to my friend and I that we ended up leaving without buying anything. The employee practically exploded at my friend for touching an “antique” Hobbit book, when there was no sign or disclaimer in sight. He was also talking extremely loud on the phone for majority of the time we were inside. He was very pretentious and very obviously thought he was superior to the customers. won’t be returning.

Wide and diverse selection of books, records, cassettes(!), prints and more. Prices might be a little high for a used store, but items are well-curated and harder to find.Owner is friendly and extremely helpful if approached with respect. I can see if some find him prickly.Glad we found the store.It’s down a set of stairs facing Pearl St. Don’t know if there’s an elevator.

This shop is a gem--as much a fascinating museum as it is a retail store. The owner is friendly and knowledgeable with great stories that he seems eager to share if you engage him respectfully. Im primarily interested in used vinyl, and while his selection is loaded with great rarities the prices are a little on the high side. Still, I always try to buy something to be supportive, and the quality is always top notch. Whenever Im in town from California to visit my daughter, the Beat Book Shop--along with a hike to Sanitas, Green or Bear--are my cant miss activities.

The owner was extremely rude to my friend. The way he treated her was absolutely unacceptable. Im all for supporting local businesses, but this guy doesnt deserve anyones business

The owner is knowledgeable and extremely sociable. He has a great collection of work that you would not find many other places. You must want to find new music and books to fully enjoy this shop. My best advice is to let the owner guide you based on your preferences.

Amazing selection! Very knowledgeable owner! Loved it :)

Had a great experience with the beat book shop and cross- country selling. Emailed the owner about a poetry book. Quick reply, easy transaction. The book made it from Colorado to Florida in 3 days, packed with care. Book was in perfect condition upon arrival. Can’t wait to continue to support beat book shop. One of the only beat book shops on the country. What a gem of a place. Thanks Tom!

I have been frequenting the shop for years since its original location. If you are looking for that rare one off book, record or memorabilia, you will find it here. From first editions to old thumbed through classics, you will find it. The owner is a really nice guy and I have known him for years. Every time I go back to Boulder I always make a point of stopping in.

Excellent selection of records. Vinyl, audio and journalism. Precarious stacks of books everywhere and couldnt be more perfect!

Wow, I’m so glad someone FINALLY MANSPLAINED WHAT ROCK MUSIC WAS TO ME. I would have gone my whole life not knowing. Maybe learn to treat your customers with respect and dignity, not with misogyny and stereotyping.

Excellent! A must see!

The owner was extremely rude right off the bat. I wasnt in the shop for more than 30 seconds before he ignored me asking how he was and he told me not to look through the records, and condescendingly mentioned I was in the wrong section. Actually, I was in the wrong place entirely. Take your business to someone who wont treat customers like a burden!

While I normally love to support local businesses, I will never be shopping here. Beat Book Shop has an unwelcoming, toxic atmosphere. An employee engaged with customers in an antagonizing and patronizing way. This was after he was on his cell phone having a very personal, very loud conversation in front of customers.

Great book store on pearl street mall Boulder.The owner is very knowledgeable. Many used, new and classic books. If you are a best generation fan you should go to this book store.

A true gem. This is much more than a bookstore. It is a museum dedicated to beat and all things cool, curated by a man who has lived the beat scene. A Boulder legend for 3 decades, come in, be cool, stay hip!!!

I like stopping here to talk to my friend tom thats what makes the shop so special but besides that amazing titles lots of rare finds that give you deep mind trips

Some interesting books, but owner is very rude

Lots of good collection. Very knowledgeable owner and he answers questions patiently. Good place.

Seemed like it had so many options and varieties for everyone of any age

The owner is knowledgeable about the beat generation, but he does like to talk quite a bit to his customers. Tom Peters is a great guy, who knows the Beat Gen and TA-ed for Allen Ginsberg.Its a great bookstore, but I got sidetracked because Tom, the owner, was talking and I had to be courteous and answer him. I am an introvert so I quickly bought a book and left. Otherwise I would have peaceful explored the books, the collection seems to be nice.Please visit, but just make sure you have ways to avoid getting lost in the small talk. Great book store in general right on Pearl Street.

The store owner is...eclectic. Depending on unknown parameters he can either be very nice and helpful or a bit rude. But his selection of classic books is amazing, and I always find something good here. It’s a staple of boulder and worth checking out. Just don’t touch anything without asking!

I love books, so its hard to make me dislike a bookstore experience. But this place did it! The owner was having a loud and off-putting conversation with a friend and acknowledged our presence only to snap at us for touching a book in a special section. Tip: if you want to sell books, dont yell at people for looking at them.

Very poor service & manners.Owner/Sr employee was extremely rude to 2 female customers browsing in the store. He hovered close by, and then reprimanded them for touching a hanging newspaper in plastic (after he uncovered an obstructed sign about not touching things). They apologized and moved on. When they picked a book off the shelf, the owner/employee pounced again, pointing out that the book was from the antique shelf (also not clearly marked). He proceeded to lecture the customers on how to open a book, and that they should put their phones away, so they can actually concentrate on what they were doing, and use both of their hands. (The customer was not holding the book in one hand, nor being careless with the book, but it was apparently not good enough for the employee). Both reprimands were given in an extremely condescending way, and were not proportional to the polite manner the customers were conducting themselves with.Expecting people not to touch items on shelves in a small used book store is asinine. Physical bookstores are already fighting an uphill battle, and treating people like this is a great way to make sure people dont come back.

This is a terrible bookstore. The owner straight up yelled at me because I picked up a book out of a box on the floor in front of some bookshelves and the jacket had fallen off. There are too many wonderful book stores in this area where the staff are nicer and you can find the same (or better!) book selection.

The dude who own this place refuses to wear a mask in his tiny poorly ventilated store.

Fun collection of books. The store owner was kind to us and asked us about what we were studying in school. We enjoyed our time here. Hes a book collector and cares about his books, so just be very sure to be careful when looking through them. I came away with a very old edition of a book from a series Ive been collecting for years, youll likely be able to find some rare things here.

Unique and solid selection, fair prices. but for real the owner is neurotic. he will flat out yell at you for touching things or moving a book or a record a tenth of a centimeter out of place. check it out...but be on your best behavior if you do.

The Beat Book Shop is the kind of place that you would only think to be in fiction. The owner is a nice person. He remembers people who have visited his shop before. There is a large selection of books and you will find something to get. The hours are a bit weird but that is part of the appeal. So if you want some lesser known books then go here. A wonderful place with a wonderful owner.

A curious and cool little book shop with a variety of options!

Stopped in last night and was immediately faced with an extremely rude store employee, possibly the owner. As soon as we entered the store, we were immediately escorted out by the said employee to brush off the snow that had fallen on us during a recent snowfall. We had to be standing outside of the store while he examined our snow removal skills and told us where to brush off such as the hoodie that’s attached to my coat. I asked politely if we were all good, he proceeded to tell me there was snow on my hair and I needed to brush the snow off of my hair, too. If you’re concerned about your store and/or books getting wet from the snow, perhaps the owner should decide to close the bookstore during a weather event, just a 2-cent suggestion. Needless to say, it was a very rude and unwelcoming experience. Enter at your own risk!

This bookstore is a gem for those who recognize what it actually is, a center for books written by and related to Beat writers. There is a tremendous selection of books, vinyl, and posters. The greatest asset, and what makes it worth visiting, is the owner, Tom. This man knows everything about everything. He will talk with you, sharing experiences and sharing conversation. I appreciate that he was totally appropriate in language and manners when some customers were not so. We came in from Marietta, Georgia and are glad we did. He saw my 15 year old daughter and treated her with respect. I highly recommend this store as way to purchase beat books at great prices.

As a long time supporter of independent bookstores, it pains me to leave this review. I recommend that you check out any of the other 3 Boulder used book stores, where at best youll be treated as a customer and at worst, left to peruse the collection at your own speed. Should you decide to descend from Pearl St to this disorganized establishment, dont try to shop for books with friends, because the owner doesnt like you talking to each other. Also, dont touch any of the antique books, theyre too expensive for you. If you dont know who any of the famous poets are, because, lets say, youre a freshman in college, dont ask, you should already know. Basically dont go to Beat Book Shop unless you need to be verbally abused and treated with disdain.

1 dollar books priced for 10 dollars. Guy doesnt seem particularly friendly. I asked for a book and he simply pointed to where and when i couldnt find it, he never bothered to look himself. Reminded me to watch out for spilling his drink HE left on the floor excessively, just not that helpful.

Awesome store, great crate digging/bin searching/shelf lookin opportunities. Lots of rare/unreleased/interesting finds. Owner is very nice and knowledgeable about whats in their store. While it may look unorganized from a first glance the owner can help you find whatever it is youre looking for

Awesome shop! One of the most interesting places in Boulder. Way more than books...excellent records and antique life magazines for a start. Extremely knowledgeable staff and open late nights (10-11 pm!) Dont miss it!

Excellent selection and knowledgeable employees who provide insightful and thorough information on what I was looking for, and even more to the stories I was interested in. I left with a prized poster (which I didnt even know existed) of a favorite author of mine which was only brought to my attention after the employee was able to find and show it to me. Large selection of hard to find vinyl. Like a chaotic encyclopedia, there are items from past and current American culture everywhere throughout the store which can be a bit overwhelming and the atmosphere can be a bit intimidating.

I love this place. I always make sure to stop in when Im in town. The selection is fantastic. The new location is really convenient. The owner is very helpful and super knowledgeable. To not see the Beat Book Shop is to not see Boulder.

I constantly buy and read books. I have never been in a bookstore where the clerk was so rude and completely bitter. I just walked out of the store almost as quickly as I walked in. The cringey clerk who needs therapy... and hes surrounded by helpful information, what a shame. Take your business elsewhere they dont like people here.

Owner is very rude, I wanted to by a rare book so I picked it up while he was on the phone and got scolded. It made me not want to buy anything from there ever.

Extremely rude and unwelcoming clerk. Ordered me to get out and clean my shoes when they had nothing on them. How theyre still in business I have no idea.Seems like my experience is typical from other reviews.Books were stacked on top of records so I couldnt browse. Clerk was not willing to move them.

Literally the rudest store owner I’ve ever met. Do not go here. The store is disgusting and while he has some cool stuff definitely don’t touch it. He will instantly yell about how stupid you are for not seeing the twenty tiny “please ask” sign.

This is a Boulder landmark, and owner Tom Peters is a world-class conversationalist. Must stop on any visit to Boulder or stroll down Pearl Street. Great books and records for sale as well...

This place would be great if it wasn’t for the owner’s terrible customer service. I felt like an annoyance just asking where one book was. Please be kinder to the people keeping you in business :( they had my book, and I don’t have high expectations, but I went elsewhere just because of this

The bookstore itself is a neat place with many options, but the owner or employee is extremely rude.

Easy to get lost in a sea of interesting and often rare books.

Lots of really cool rare books, magazines, records and memorabilia. Clerk is super knowledgable and has cool stories about all kinds of underground and celebrity culture. Recommended.

Interesting book store with a wide variety of books. Type of place that you would sit and read in for a few hours

Excellent place to buy books and records, maybe the most iconic in Colorado. The eloquent owner is a great connaisseur of Pop- and Beat Culture and a poet himself. If youre there on a monday, make sure you visit his weekly open poetry readings So, Youre a Poet?

The owner was extremely rude to my family and I. The books were also extremely overpriced, for example a Harry Potter book was 80 dollars. Even if it was some mint condition first edition you could find that for 30 dollars online. 2000 paperbook reprints of the hobbit were 15 dollars even though the backs said they were originally only 4.95. So the gist of the place is used books that have been marked up not down due to use. My wife told me this place used to be super cool even 10 years ago. Great books for only a dollar or two. Now its just super dissapointing.

The way the owner treats you is like how people haggle you at a flea market but worse. For a small book that had 30 pages and was thin paper, he wanted $13 when I knew at a used bookstore it would be worth much less. He changes his prices around and PRESSURES you into buying the book. When I told him I didnt have enough money, he was rudely asking what do you mean and looking IN my wallet. Ive never had an employee look at my wallet before. Never again.

Owner is rude and obnoxious. Dont bother.

Every book is tight. No cruft. Immaculately curated.

Amazing inventory of Beat literature, vintage pulp fiction, wide variety of non-fiction. Fun to browse.

Knowledgeable staff, large selection of books and records

Great used and new bookstore. Owner is very knowledgeable

Clerk was incredibly rude and pretentious. Poor selection of vinyl, what they did have is overpriced. If its records you are looking for, defiantly take your business to one of the other excellent Boulder vinyl shops.

Wonderful bookstore with a huge selection of modern and vintage books (also CDs, Vinyl, magazines, etc). The man who owns/runs the store is highly knowledgable, just dont be put off by his (sometimes overbearing) attitude! This place is a little piece of history....Just ask to touch first!

Crowded and overwhelming. Cant find anything anywhere. The owner was rude, and unhelpful. Terrible customer service. He had a decent selection but I refuse to give anyone that rude my money. Will not be returning.

A Boulder treasure! One of a kind. Not to be missed!

One of the best bookstores for used and classic books.

If I could I wouldnt give this bookstore a single star.Working previously in custmer service I understand how important it is to treat your custmers well. As I was looking through the books on a bookshelf I was rudely interrupted by the man working the counter ( He might have been the owner)he yelled at me to use both hands because apparently I couldnt read. I was extremly embaressed as the other few people in the store turned and looked at me Im only 50 so I didnt see the sign a row above my head which said please ask as I was placing the book back he made some comment under his breath as he contuned to help my friend. It only got worse from there when my friend decided to buy records from his store. He started talking about her height and took her ID to look at her zip code. Once receving her information and card back he began to give her a long lecture sternly telling her not to drop or break these records. Needless to say we will not be coming back.

Ive been to the location twice. The first time was a few years ago. Shop was closed on both occasions in the afternoon. Laughable since the sign on the front says open 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Owner needs to stick to the hours or change them.

The Best Beat Book Shop Stop. Paintings for sale!

This place is great

The clerk (owner?) was rude & ignorant.

Went downstairs and found they werent open at 3pm, even though maps said they were from 1pm -. I heard a guy say, they are open later into the day, but not sure specifics.

Cute Indy bookstore

Too crowded!

Lovely

Love this shop!