The Six Coolest Bookstores In The World

By All That's Interesting | Edited By John Kuroski

Published November 18, 2015

Updated February 1, 2018

World’s Coolest Bookstores: El Ateneo Grand Splendid (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

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Inside The Six Coolest Bookstores In The World

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With the gold of its grand box seats contrasting the scarlet of its stage’s curtains, it is no question that even the world’s most beautiful bookstores pale in comparison to El Ateno. Transitioning from live shows to film to selling books, this building’s elegant grandeur has not diminished since its construction in 1919. El Ateno produced live shows until the popularity of film ultimately won out. Today, patrons and book lovers are free to browse El Ateno’s overwhelming selection, as the sweet melodies of its live pianist drift over the bookcases—a nod to its theatrical past.

author

Established in 2010, All That's Interesting brings together a dedicated staff of digital publishing veterans and subject-level experts in history, true crime, and science. From the lesser-known byways of human history to the uncharted corners of the world, we seek out stories that bring our past, present, and future to life. Privately-owned since its founding, All That's Interesting maintains a commitment to unbiased reporting while taking great care in fact-checking and research to ensure that we meet the highest standards of accuracy.

editor

John Kuroski is the editorial director of All That's Interesting. He graduated from New York University with a degree in history, earning a place in the Phi Alpha Theta honor society for history students. An editor at All That's Interesting since 2015, his areas of interest include modern history and true crime.