powerHouse Arena
37 Main St., 718-666-3049
While there's something romantic about cramped little bookstores, the 5,000-square-foot powerHouse compound proves that big doesn't necessarily mean impersonal. While employees from powerHouse labor away on the visible upper level, customers below browse books on photography, urban art, children's interests and local culture. The store frequently hosts events—often with complimentary drinks—to celebrate book releases and films on such topics as Mexican wrestlers, New York City skateboarding and decadent nightlife. "After 7pm, it transforms into a vibrant event space, which gives it a livelier dimension," says Susanne König, the company's director. A section of the upper mezzanine is sometimes used as a VIP area—what other bookstore has that?