I have no doubt that this is a REALLY cool speculative fiction bookstore. I visited the other day and found a lot to capture my interest, and something to buy, in short order. That being said, why the 3-star rating? Accessibility. This place is a nightmare for mobility-impaired customers. The aisles are narrow, the floors covered with stacks of books, the staircase has no handrails or anything else you can grab onto, rendering both the upstairs and parts of the back of the shop completely inaccessible. All of this adds to its charm, but detracts from my ability to experience it. And Im relatively able, for a mobility-impaired person. Dont even think about trying to get in there in a wheelchair. With so many other good options for in-person bookstore shopping in and around Berkeley, its gonna take something really special to get me to return.

I love, love, love this bookstore. The selection of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and mystery is extraordinary! Theres games, and toys, and all sorts of fun gift ideas too. Ill be visiting again soon.

A lot of books, very friendly and knowledgeable. Prepare to spend some time here. Its amazing.

This book store!!! Its so fun to go to! My friend and I like to make monthly (if not weekly) trips to the store, and we always enjoy it. There is something about the store, so full of books and quiet that makes us stay there for at least an hour every time we go. Hugely recommend going!

I havent been here in a while, but I miss it. Ive been going here since I was a kid with my dad. Its my favorite book store bar none.

Huge selection of classics and hidden gems. Careful not to get lost, unless that was your plan.

All quality bookstores should look like fire hazards. This place is PACKED with gems.

Love this book store! Its filled with so many books, and I always end up finding new interesting things to read!

Awesome book store for science fiction and fantasy also the comic store right next door is part of the same business you should check it out.

The best sci-fi/fantasy and mystery novel finds. There are out of print, obscure titles, and fan favorites for all ages. I love digging through the shop for treasure!

A great and wonderful book store.

I have walked by this place a 1,000 times, stopped to pet the dragon a 100 times (with my 3 year old son), and went in for the first time today... and it was great! It had a fun selection of kids books, and I happily bought a book my son picked out for just $5! I am certain we will be back regularly for more. I hope others are more adventurous than me and check it out sooner than I did.

Best bookstore in town, no question. They have a wonderful selection, and its so rare to be in such a nicely curated independent bookstore, especially in the Bay Area. Please support them!

This is by far my favorite book store. Its a little small and very cramped in places with books piled up everywhere. It is almost like going through a mad wizards library with hidden gems stuck everywhere. Even when I know what I want, I still spend at least an hour browsing.

A nerdy hoarders paradise! You can’t find many places like this anymore. I spent over an hour here and wish I could’ve stayed longer. So many small gag gifts and books to peruse and tons of old treasures that you can’t find anywhere anymore. Not everything is organized but is fun for those of us that have time to explore and dig. They take card and you you have to pay at the comic books store two doors down which I wish I made time for too 😂 Definitely go here if you’re looking for presents.

Loved it as a teen back in the 1980s. Was amazed and glad to see it still going. Will visit again when I come down to Berkeley.

Took my kids here to look for some new reading material that might interest them. OMG what a fantastic place for book lovers. They carry more than just imaginative fiction too. Their knowledge and recommendations are outstanding. Be sure to visit their comic book store two doors down. Equally fantastic

Such a fantastic place. Been going for 12+ years. Unbelievable selection. Dont forget that the older editions and used editions are just sprinkled in with the rest of the stock. And ask for what you need. Just great.

I love to visit Dark Carnival for my Sci-Fi and Fantasy fix. They have a new books section and a recommended section which is great. Browsing in the store is like creeping into an illuminated funhouse. Highly recommended. I wish I lived closer.

The Dark Carnival Imaginative Fiction Bookstore is an OK place, although it doesnt have the heart and soul that Wordsworth, over in Harvard Square had, its considerably more expensive, and they dont offer any sort of discount for their books. However, they have a wonderful selection of book sections, and books themselves, and its a great place for browsing. They also have a good many cheaper books of five dollars and under on sale, too.

Dark Carnival ( despite what the internet rumor mill has put forward ) is still open for business! I just bought an armful of books there last week.Please continue to go and support this wonderful independent bookstore ( and its sister comic book store a couple doors down the block ) so we can keep those rumors from becoming reality.

The kind of bookstore I grew up with in my hometown; packed to overflowing with books obviously lovingly curated, but kind of a disaster area. Normally, finding piles of old toys behind shelves would be off-putting... but once youre in these stacks, its easy to forgive the clutter and little clusters of odds and ends because youre too busy perusing the terrific book selection. The people here are happy to talk and help you find things, but theyll leave you alone to browse, and that kind of quiet time is my favourite way to shop for books. Its just you, a contemplative quiet, and books all around you in every spare bit of space available, floor to ceiling.

Really, I would give it 4.5 stars if I could. I loved it. There were so many books! It was amazing. The only thing was how hard it was to follow the organizational style, but it was my first time there so I will learn. Plus, it adds extra charm to it. You could spend hours there. It is surprising how large it was. It went way far back.

This place has always been a great source of science fiction and fantasy books and similar themed items. Ive been going here since grade school and can say the only thing that has changed are the ever updating books. Going through the place, even with the newer books it contains, feels like going through an old library where you might find that one truly magical book that will take you to Fantasia.

One of the best real SF/Fantasy bookstores on the planet.Ive been going to Dark Carnival for decades, and its a real old-school bookstore with history, delightful clutter and weirdness, and of course actual knowledge of SF books. Authors are frequently doing book signings here because its that kind of place.Next door to Escapist Comics which is affiliated, its a one-two punch hard to beat for the bibliophile of either SF/Fantasy/Horror or Graphic novels and Comics.Id rather spend my book budget here and keep the tax dollars in the community than some conglomerate chain, where the poor wage slaves have no idea who Honor Harrington is.

There is no way to accurately describe the glory of this bookstore / geek nirvana. Sure, there is an insanely diverse collection of fantasy, sci-fi, and mystery spanning many strange rooms and even across two stories! But there are also tomes of reference books from all manners of obscure and popular domains. There are geeky toys, collectible items, and graphic novels. However, for me, the joy is in knowing that there is simply no way to take it all in in a single visit. I think years might need to be dedicated to properly understand this monument. Thank you, sir. You have made the world a better place.

Five stars for being one of a kind. Get lost for hours and find something new, make discoveries. Books, posters, toys. A massive collection of all things scifi, fantasy, and mystery. Buy something, and support this amazing bookstore.

Incredibly large selection and very fair prices. Can easily spend many hours browsing without even realizing it!

Ive been going to Dark Carnival since about three locations ago, which is a long time ago in a galaxy far far away. This is an institution, not just a place you can happen to buy books. It has its own character, and a vast SF/Fantasy/Mystery/Horror selection.It has a soul, unlike the chains, and unlike online retailers, your money goes back into your community. Also the staff know what the hell theyre talking about, because they love this stuff.

I was overwhelmed -- an amazing place!

Great booksGood pricesOld guy behind the counter known every book in his store.Youll have a much better time here then you ever will at Barnes and Nobles.

More fantasy and science fiction books than you can possibly imagine under one roof. Books line the stairs. Books line the floors. Theres more than one shelf so full of books that its sagging. The way theyre all stored is probably a fire hazard, but I dont care because this is my favorite bookstore.I love that Im able to find books by authors that dont make it to the big box bookstores, and are otherwise only available online.

Cant believe Ive never stopped in here before today. What an amazing bookstore.The collection of sci-fi and fantasy is unlike any Ive seen and the eclectic, relaxed feel of the store is so so rare these days. Highly recommended.

This is the best sci-fi occult bookstore that youre going to find in Oakland, lots of books, lots of interesting oddities, helpful staff. Parking of course is a little slim in this neighborhood but if youre looking to pick up a couple of groceries at the meat place next door then maybe get some interesting books to read or household oddities, this is your place.

Incredible bookstore. Whatever youre looking for in sf/fantasy, theyll have it.

If you want science fiction, fantasy fiction, you need to come to this bookstore. The book will be here. If its not, the owner will get it for you. Leave your ego at the door; this bookshop proprietor cares about books, knows about books, has read the books. Ask him, dont tell him his business! Hes there all the time. Please dont go out of business; we all need you. Going again soon to stock up...

One of the best sci-fi bookshops ever! You hardly find another place with so vast assortment

A book store straight out of the pages of Harry Potter. Nooks and crannys piled high, with stacks upon stacks, messy, fun and utterly beguiling. Great selection of out of print and new. A wonderful place to explore.

Its a little whole in the wall bookstore. Its a bit disheveled, but isnt that what makes a cool bookstore? I found a ton of interesting books and Ill definently be coming back.

Wow! Amazing selection of science fiction, horror and mystery books. Absolutely vast. Theres an excellent comic book store right next door, Escapist Comics.

Dark Carnival is one of the most amazing book stores I have been to. Their collection is huge, you will be hard pressed to not find what you are looking for. They also are well connected to the local bay area comic scene. Come in. Find what you want. And then find a whole lot more.

Awesome and unique shop, jam-packed with the latest and greatest sci-fi, fantasy, & fiction - and all the classics, of course. Great kids section, plus memorabilia & toys, too. LOVE this place!

Great old book store! Really a good place for kids 10 and up

A sprawling book store that desperately needs a good cleaning. The owner must be a hoarder. More character and charm than you could ever imagine. You must go, and buy a book here.

I have never found a bookstore quite like this one in any other part of the world. Its got towers of books from every genre of speculative fiction. Lots of classics as well as new titles. The warren-like organization of the place is a little strange but it definitely heightens the otherworldliness of it all. Truly how browsing for a new sci-fi or fantasy book should be experienced!

Awesome maze of a bookstore, good quirky selection and many nooks.

Lots of need books the place was a mess but I thought it was cool.

Greatest genre fiction bookstore ever!

Just left a few minutes ago. I didnt want to leave!! It was like heaven in there! Good collections of sci fi, fantasy, and mystery books!!

Wow! So the only way I can describe this place is if a book hoarder let you into his home. There is stuff here you wont find anywhere else.

Great store!!

A favorite bookstore and place to find unique/cool sci-fi gifts and treasure!

Great selection of graphic novels, compilations, :etc. Knowledgeable staff. Occasionally has special events

Spent a couple of hours here; large, eclectic selection. Loved it

Best Science Fiction, Fantasy & Mystery bookstore in town.

A proper bookshop in every respect

They have all the books. (Mainly Great collection of science fiction and fantasy)

Funky, junky, and spunky. Other sci fi bookstores will come up short forevermore.

Best book store in the bay area. I really hope sales pick up and they stay in business.

Great selection, slightly cantankerous person behind the register, stacks of books everywhere. A perfect sci fi fantasy bookstore

Called to look for a book and was hung up on when he thought he wasnt going to make a sale. Rude. Just rude. Self centered, no customer service, down Che bag. I was going to ask about other books but you can suck it. I will not only never shop here but I will tell other people not to as well. Have a bad day. Jerk..

One of my favorite bookstores of all time!

You need a hard to find horror/scifi/fantasy novel? It is likely here. Need a Giant Microbe? Check. That plastic desk toy you didnt know you needed? That is here too.

OMG theres so many books !!!

Had exactly the book I was looking for!

Best book store ever

Packed to the gills with sci fi and fantasy books, but a bit hard to find stuff.

Great book store

Very nice shop

Its an awesome place