Trident Booksellers & Cafe

By Nina Fauci

From red-lit trees on Newbury Street to hand-painted literary stairs, discover how this 40-year-old Boston institution blends bookstore charm with cafe culture. Follow my Wednesday night adventure through this two-story haven where silent book clubs meet typewriter enclaves, and where—for just a short T ride from Emerson’s campus—you might just find exactly what you didn't know you were looking for.

Sometimes, the most interesting places are closer to us than we might think. That was one of the first thoughts I had after visiting Trident Booksellers & Cafe.

Trident first opened in the fall of 1984. Bernie and Gail Flynn brought their passion for books to Boston, along with the idea of creating a space where people could linger over a fine cup of coffee and a good conversation—something the city was lacking at the time. What started as a risky venture on what was considered “the wrong end of Newbury Street” has grown into a beloved institution affectionately known by locals as “The Trident.” Today, it remains a vital part of the Back Bay community because it offers a unique blend of literary charm and cozy cafe culture. Beyond being a bookstore and cafe, Trident operates with a deeper philosophy rooted in Buddhist ideals and embraces the principle of making a living while causing the least harm possible.

As an independent business in a high-rent metropolitan center, it faces the challenge of competing with corporate giants while staying true to its mission. Despite this, Trident thrives because of its loyal customer base of readers, writers, and coffee lovers who have made it part of their daily routine. Recently, the bookstore has transitioned into its next chapter as the original owners have stepped back from daily management and passed the reins to their daughter Courtney and daughter-in-law Kim, a powerhouse female duo spearheading Trident into the future.

Best known as “Boston’s favorite indie bookstore,” Trident is extremely popular among bookworms in the city. You can find them on Newbury Street, nestled on the lower level of a two-story brownstone building. With that said, you shouldn’t be fooled by its demure exterior; upon opening the front door, painted dark green and illuminated by an overhead light, you’ll be thrust into a vast open space that’s half restaurant, half bookstore as you wander inside.

Joined by my friend, Cameron, we hopped on the T from Boylston to take the Green Line to Haymarket, a speedy four stops away. Once we arrived, we walked up the stairs and out onto Newbury Street, where hundreds of people walked under the stars on such a frigid Wednesday night. Looking to my left from the sidewalk, I was enamored by the sight of trees lit up with red lights across the street, so of course, I took a picture:

Even though I’m unsure as to why they were lit up that night, those bright red trees paired with the hustle and bustle of shiny new buildings on Newbury Street embodied a palpable rush strong enough to send waves of invigoration and excitement through my chest. This physical sensation was heightened as we took our last steps and arrived at our destination.

As we walked deeper into the store, it was clear that the buzzing energy from the restaurant area seeped into the crowds perusing the many books in front of them. We were surrounded by tables that had hundreds, if not thousands, of titles ranging from classics to contemporary, and even banned books.

I found myself turning a corner to the stairs leading to the second level of the store. They’re hand-painted with titles of beloved classics, from Harry Potter to A Wrinkle in Time, two of my childhood favorites. The second floor revealed itself as an upstairs café that overlooks the sprawling table of books near the entrance, creating a vantage point that made me stop and observe the scene below. From this height, you could track the organic flow of people moving between shelves, their patterns telling small stories about what caught their attention.

The upstairs area embodies its own character with warm lighting and cozy booths that seem designed for lingering conversations. During our visit, fragments of dialogue drifted within earshot of me as I spent around 20 minutes in the section with books about tarot and astrology (if you know me in real life, this should come as no surprise), where two women were deep in conversation. Their words mixed with the ambient café sounds in a way that felt uniquely honest and unscripted. These overheard moments, rather than feeling intrusive, added layers to the Trident’s identity.

The entire evening cost me about $50, which got me four books on sale and a few cool stickers. Despite the constant stream of visitors, or perhaps because of it, the staff remained almost invisible. They were so seamlessly integrated into the space that I found myself unable to distinguish them from customers. This wasn't necessarily a bad thing, because I thought it spoke to how naturally everyone moved throughout the store.

Trident's events calendar reveals its commitment to fostering a genuine literary community. They host author events, write nights, and poetry open mics that transform the space from a simple café/bookstore into something more dynamic. Their silent book club nights particularly intrigued me, as an elegant solution to the solitary, yet communal, nature of reading.

The store's layout creates natural discovery zones for customers to weave in and out of. There's a fiction "enclave” complete with a typewriter that seems to invite spontaneous creation from anyone passing by. The section of blank notebooks proved to be a dangerous detour for someone like me… I can’t resist the promise of empty pages bound into beautiful books. I found myself getting pleasantly lost there.

While different from other spots I've reviewed because it lacks the intimate atmosphere of MTW or Papercuts, Trident carves out its own distinct identity. The environment feels more expansive, more conducive to extended stays and unexpected discoveries. For students considering it as a study spot, there's mention of a $10 special on food, though I made a mental note to confirm this detail on my next visit.

My overall impression left me eager to return, maybe for one of their events or perhaps simply to claim a corner for an afternoon of work. Trident is the kind of place you go to for one thing and end up with another; whether that's serious study, casual browsing, or meeting friends for coffee and conversation. The constant hum of activity suggests that while it might be less intimate than other local bookstores, Trident serves a different and equally valuable purpose in Boston's literary landscape.

As Cameron and I made our way back through the evening crowds on Newbury Street, I found myself already planning my next visit. Trident isn't trying to be everything to everyone, but it somehow manages to be exactly what you need it to be at any given moment… a rare quality in an increasingly curated world.

A Literary Life Official Bookshop Rating Scale

Title Selection: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Atmosphere: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Location: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Prices (rated by a broke 21-year-old college student): 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Revisit?: Yes!! Will definitely be returning for silent write nights, book club nights, and to study in the cafe!