Last week, Dua Lipa teamed up with Google Maps and Service95 to share over 130 of her favourite places around the world. This handy list covered a range of topics, from record stores to date night spots, in 47 cities, including Tokyo, London and New York. And, we saw a few familiar names from Melbourne, including The Paperback Bookshop, which was named as one of Dua Lipa’s favourite bookstores in the world.
Dua Lipa on The Paperback Bookshop
You might be more familiar with Dua’s songs, such as Levitating, Houdini and New Rules. But, she’s also quite the bibliophile, with a monthly book club on Service95. You can read all of her recommendations online, as well as watch her in conversations with notable writers such as Helen Garner, Margaret Atwood, Min Jin Lee and David Szalay. So, hearing that one of her favourite bookstores is right here in Melbourne feels truly special.
“Paperback in Melbourne is a tiny bookshop in the CBD with a clear sense of what it loves,” said Dua Lipa. “Literary fiction, translated literature, small press titles. The staff recommendations are worth trusting — it’s a great browse.”
If you’ve never been, you’ll find The Paperback Bookshop on the quieter end of Bourke Street, just a short walk away from Parliament Station. Established in the 1960s, this shop features plenty of new releases, as well as older titles from a wide range of genres, including fiction, poetry, history, biography, classics and more. They can also source and order books for you if something isn’t in stock, and provide recommendations for you to try.
There’s plenty of nooks and crannies, so you can slow down and have a leisurely browse. The bookshop is also open until late, closing at 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 10pm from Monday to Thursday. They’re also open on Sundays, just closing a little earlier at 6pm.
You’ll find The Paperback at 60 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000. Check out their website here.
Other Melbourne spots on Dua Lipa’s list
The singer also named Cam’s Kiosk in Abbotsford Convent on her list of Date Nights to Remember. Cafe by day, and vibey bar at night, this venue was described as one of her “favourite dinner experiences in Australia”, due to its relaxed and joyful atmosphere, and brilliant food.
As for wine bars, Dua Lipa gave Hope St Radio in Collingwood a shout-out. “Hope Street Radio in Melbourne has great music, a really considered wine list, and an atmosphere that manages to be both cool and welcoming,” she said.
Finally, she named Seven Plug Records on Smith Street as one of her “favourite places for vinyl”, due to their eclectic selections. “It also has 7 inches as collectibles and they’re often buying rare collections,” she said.
To see the full list of recommendations around the world, click here.