Book Club Bar

A charming bar and bookstore with one of the best collection of novels I’ve seen in a while. Very progressive titles and a perfect atmosphere for those in their 20-30s. The only reason for the 3 star rating is the lack of seating areas and the drinks that were not worth the price. I got a drink themed after the ACOTAR series, and it was basically glorified grape juice for $16. I’d definitely visit again, but maybe just for the wide variety of book selections instead.

Incredible place: calm, peaceful, cute, good coffee, cute staff and great book recommendations! A must-try for book worms and coffee lovers seeking for quaint places.

Businesses such as these are why I love NYC so much!! I could spend hours here - it is such a gem. The bookstore is neatly organized with little cards on the shelves of recommendated books from staff members. The space is super cozy (not that much seating available), but you feel as though you are in someone's living room! Looking forward to returning, definitely worth a visit if you're looking for a sweet way to spend an afternoon or need to unwind after work. I also noticed a poster hanging of all the events that they do - they offer an adult spelling bee! I thought that to be such a fun idea! If you have the chance to come here you won't be disappointed!

A very cute but packed book cafe with lots of book to read from and great cocktails. It also has board games. Loved the vibe.. worth visiting.

Incredible, I love New York. I visited my best friends that live in the city, they asked where I wanted to go and I said I didn't really care, that I really liked books, coffee, and espresso martinis. They brought me here and I couldn't have been happier. A great place for the 20-30-40 crowd to hang out.

Very busy and lovely book shop with cafe/bar included. We visited in the evening, when there was a quiz later on, so it was rammed. Worth a visit!

Love this local book shop! They have a ton of great selection. And they can order books if they are not there. So really a great option to support a local book shop. I like their displays of books. Great taste. Also fun cocktail names & coffee selection! Outdoor patio is cute as well

It’s a bookstore and a bar in one. Just so very cool and filled with an appreciative crowd even at midnight The book selection is pretty good - there’s something for almost everyone even though there aren’t that many shelves. The espresso martini is a bit in the sweet side. The bartender is so very friendly. This place is a treasure

Such a pleasure to have a spot like this in the city. Going to focus this review on a specific event, an adult spelling bee which was such a blast. Big shoutout to the two host for keeping it fun and lively while cracking some good jokes and to all the brave contestants that participated. Back half of the bar was filled with, participants and spectators with the front half still open for customers. The event was fun and challenging for all those who took part, but the laughter and friendly vibes was everything. Round after round participants were getting knocked out but at last a champion was crowned. Pretty cool thing that they did was do a lighting round to give out a second place prize after four rounds of challenging words. I could sit here and tell you about the bar outside of an event like this but figured I'd give you all a different review sine I was lucky enough to experience it.

It was very much so giving young professional adult living life in NYC such a chill time ! And the espresso martinis were delicious Make sure to screenshot their calendar of events in the reel to stay in the know of what's coming up for the end of October. I will definitely be back it was a vibe. Watch my reel here!: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cyjzqr7tI9b/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Lovely atmosphere. Social without being too loud where you can't read. I stayed here for hours and the staff at the bar were friendly, serving a good cappuccino and tasty pain as chocolat. For a place that gets pretty packed there is quite a lot of shared seating which can be cohesive to socializing with strangers. Great selection of books as well - a true gem!

Excellent French 75s and a very chill and cool ambiance. I came rather early on a Friday night to kill time and was thankful I was a party of 1. It was pretty packed so I wouldn't meet friends here but might try my luck at popping by to hang for an hour before dinner. The bathrooms had different books as the wallpaper and I was into that!

Checked out this chill East Village bar that's also a bookstore. It has books that you can read at the bar, or to take with you. Book Club Bar is one of the smarter places to drink around here. Has a lot of literature themed cocktails that complement a novel. This is a good place to hang out for drunk bookworms and others. Bookstore with cocktails is a good way to describe it. It's got more of the atmosphere of a bookstore than a bar it seems. This makes it easier to read a book, magazine, or whatever. Cocktails are more expensive than the books. It's about $15 for one. Each of these have literary names and themes, so that's cool. Last time in here I got the Allen Gin-sberg. This is dry vermouth, gin, lemon, and raspberry. If not wanting alcohol, then like any good bookstore they have coffee. The books include classics and new ones, including many written by locals. Favorite place around here for both reading and drinking. It's got something for everyone. There's also events like book club meetings and music.

I've been here a couple times, the first just go check it out, find a place to sit and have a drink. Second visit I came for the monthly Quiet Reading group, which as it was a Sunday was a bit less crowded. The selection of cocktails is decent, prices aren't cheap but that's expected for the area. As an avid reader, I thought their selection of books on sale was well curated. Would I visit on the weekend? Maybe not, just doubt there'd be anywhere to stand, let alone sit.

hadn't been to Book Club Bar in a minute, but ended going there a few times relatively recently. there are outside seating options as a well seats at the bar and elsewhere inside. Book Club Bar is a bookstore + coffee shop + a bar for adult beverages. it's pretty busy place. they have all sorts of programming events like readings, book club meetings etc. there's definitely a lot of books to check out and buy--the book choices are certainly curated, so it's not like this place is Barnes & Nobles with a vast variety of all types of books... had an Americano which was pretty good...and a drip coffee that hit the spot on a rainy day. the staff are pretty affable and chill. bc this is place is high traffic especially on nice days...getting a seat is pretty tough which why is I rarely stay. all in a good spot for book lovers and book lover wannabes who need caffeinated refreshments or adults beverages.

Book Club Bar: where a bookstore meets a coffee shop/bar. I love the concept of the Book Club Bar because who doesn't like a little drinky drink while they're browsing / reading some books! It can get pretty crowded during the weekends but during the weekdays, it's much more manageable and pleasant. I also really appreciate their weekly music series as it's such a fun way to shine a light on local artists. Such a fun spot to hang around, highly recommend!

Very cute place. Nice selection of books and alcohol. Everyone is reading quietly or having quiet conversations while sipping on wine/cocktails/coffee. Great vibes to decompress to after a long day/week though it would have been nice to have some vegan options other than bagged chips to munch on.

More stores like this please! The rarity of bookstore cafes in the city got this cozy little space filled, but luckily, we managed to snag seats one late weekend afternoon. They also have a backyard patio area with seating! There was a good amount of genres, from historical to romance to young adult. I found a trendy book and started reading, with a Cold Brew w/ Oat Milk (~$6) to accompany me. The drink was alright, with definitely a larger coffee to milk ratio. I'm curious to know how alcohol and books would have paired better, since they also offer cocktails (with bookish names!), wines, and beers. Music was loud, playing old school music, but not distracting enough, that I was able to be 4 chapters in. I don't even read that much in one sitting normally! Burying myself in a good book surrounded with others also reading in a cozy space could heal any reading slump. The place was such a vibe, even the bathroom was book themed. This was a perfect place to spend a rainy date in!

Love this bar / bookstore so much. We got an old fashion and espresso martini to walk around the store and browse books. The perfect pre-dinner drink if you asked me! Staff was so friendly and helpful, too. It does get crowded but in waves it seemed like

Walked in to browse after brunch nearby and I'm really glad I did. I didn't order anything, but next time for sure! They have a great selection of books too!

We came here after dinner for some drinks and wow, what a vibe! The books really add a nice touch. My friend said she's been wanting to try the espresso martini here for a while and unfortunately, it was a tad of a miss. But we both really enjoyed the mezcal cocktail. Thought we were just gonna get one drink, but ended up staying until closing (midnight) because we had to so much catching up to do haha! Loved the live music - it was a small jazz combo in the background. I'd definitely be returning next time I'm in the area!

Love the concept of this place. Bookstore meets bar. There's quite a bit of space here, with a long bar you'll see when you enter and a few tables for 1-2 people on your left. Then, as you approach the back of the space, there's a giant coffee table with four large chairs for you to post up at. Bookcases decorate the walls, with options to choose from to browse and purchase. There's a drink menu of wine, as well as teas and coffees. I had one of their teas, which was served blazing hot, and in a mug that kept me warm as I got some work done here. They do NOT have wifi here as a policy, and ask laptop users to limit their use to 2 hours I believe. There's a bathroom. The lady at the bar was kind. We definitely need more places like this in NYC and wishing this place all the best. It is noteworthy for the purpose it serves!

Food/Drinks: 5/5 Drinks are strong here and decently priced. I ordered the matcha mezcal and it was strong! I started dozing a bit while reading my book LOL. The drinks are themed which is a super cute touch. They also Have snacks available but I didn't try them. Service: 5/5 Drinks came out quick and the bartenders were very friendly! Vibe: 3/5 The place is super cute and cozy! There are only 4 comfy chairs so it can be a bit of a waiting game to secure them. Luckily when I came on a Saturday night around 10pm someone had just left. There is low music playing and it is so easy to get sucked in. I don't know if I just needed to check my expectations but I expected the conversation to be minimal/low. But it felt like a bar on the LES with people talking and laughing at normal volume. It wasn't too big of a deal as I don't need silence to read. But if you do be mindful of the time you come (I think Saturday night but have something to do with it). There are bathrooms downstairs that are individual stalls and they were clean when I used them as well, big plus! Overall, I love the concept of a book bar and I'll be back for sure! They also have several events throughout the month to check out!

A book lover's dream! Books and cocktails are one of my favorite combos. I went here on a Saturday afternoon. It was a bit crowded, but it's nothing that some earbuds and white noise won't fix while I dive into a great book. I had a glass of rosé and the Allen Gin-sberg cocktail. I also had a raspberry scone. Everything was tasty and I read a huge chunk of my book.

I LOVE it here. Popped in on a holiday Monday and it was cozy and semi busy--a little more busy than a typical Monday but less busy than a weekend. The concept of bookstore/bar is a 10/10. Bring a book, buy a book or bring some paper and journal away surrounded by other folks doing the same. The bonus, a full bar with classic cocktails holding creative book title names- Hello, " Murder on the Orient Espresso Martini ". Details aren't missed here. The bathroom has excerpts from Baldwin and the staircase leading back to the bookstore is lined with book wallpaper. The vibe is cozy, the cocktails are actually good and even better, there's an entire tea menu! Unfortunately, didn't get to grab a seat by the fireplace. It gets busy in here, but going to try this time around. I wish there was more seating, but overall 100/10!

Find me a cuter bar in NYC with such a large collection of interesting books. It's every alcoholic book readers dream destination... jokes apart what a wonderful place for book lovers who would also like to be a bit social and enjoy a few drinks. They also have a beautiful backyard that is perfect during a warm summer day. This is literally what fairy tales are made of... atleast mine

Great spot for getting work done or casual hangout! The drinks and coffee are fantastic, though the pastries could be better. I've been here a few times to read, sip coffee, and even did a table read with actors--always a nice vibe.

This place is awesome but it gets full FAST! Seating is limited and I think that adds to how charming it feels to sit at their bar with a drink and a book while 10 people next to you are doing the same thing. When I arrived at 6 pm ish, there were no seats and many people hovering and waiting for seats (my party included). After we ordered our drinks, we were able to snag an outdoor table but watched the bar like hawks since it was cold out. About 20 mins later, we spotted bar seats that were about to open and grabbed them before other people noticed. Sitting outdoors was okay but it didn't have the same energy as when we switched to the bar inside. Inside everyone at the bar was either reading a book or talking to their neighbor about books, whereas outside people were just hanging out and having drinks. Once inside, I stuck with the Master & Mezcal Margarita and it was delicious. I also enjoyed that the cocktail names were all book puns. I didn't get to make a dent in my book sadly, but I am excited to revisit this place and try again. Next time, I'll be sure to arrive as soon as it opens to make sure I'm not waiting for a seat.

I can't add much to what has already been written. It's the kind of bar where you're enjoying your drink, but the shelves of books make you wonder if you've accidentally stumbled into the start of a secret revolution. Stay tuned... and keep sipping.

The ambiance here is adorable. I adore the small couches and the collection of books in the rear--you can even buy or read them. Although they don't offer public Wi-Fi, they do encourage bringing laptops, which seems odd to me. My espresso martini was simply delightful.

Super cozy vibes on a Sunday afternoon. Everyone is reading a good book or chatting outside. My friends and I stopped by to play cards. They have 2 sets of cards and 2 chess sets. There are so many good books to choose from. Definitely a must visit if you like books and want a quiet place to read. They also have coffee if you're a coffee drinker.

Absolutely love this place! It's such a great idea to combine a bookstore, coffee shop, and bar. If I had my way, I'd never leave! The bookstore part itself is a little small, but there's still a wide selection of books to browse. There's a good amount of seating and the menu is pretty extensive given the smaller space! Totally recommend checking this place out!

Nestled in the heart of winter, there's a spot so cozy that it feels like a charming bar bookstore. As you settle into the warmth of the surroundings, you can't help but feel a sense of joy and contentment. Although, it could use a little more attention to detail, like the addition of a fake fire to enhance the ambiance. As you wander towards the bathrooms, you'll notice that they are gender-free, but that can be a bit confusing. The mirrors are positioned in such a way that you may catch the eyes of passersby, which can create an awkward atmosphere. It's not comfortable to be alone in there with a man present. Despite the slight discomfort, the experience is made even better by the delicious coffee, especially the mocha. Even though it's not the ideal spot for work, many people can still be found at the coffee bar typing away on their computers, sporting the quintessential New Yorker vibes. Books are very unique and offer a wide variety of international writers and hard to find books.

I came here for some post dinner drinks and had an espresso martini. I loved the atmosphere of the bookshelves and even browsed some before getting our drinks. My espresso martini was sweet and foamy. There were some people sitting at the bar, and some seating in the back for groups and conversation.

This is a pretty cool spot. We were in the neighborhood at 9pm/10pm and Book Club had a decent crowd. Think a cool, grad-school type coffee shop with beer (all $9+ I think). There are some folks reading books at the bar, people lounging around, and not many/none were there to actually buy books at night. You order at the register at the bar and (at least for beer) they get it to you pretty quickly. This review is only for our night and beer experience, but it is a full service coffee shop and they also sell coffee beans as well.

I saw there was a trivia night coming up. I sent to my friend who I often trade titles with and she said yes. The event was from 8-10 and we arrived at 7:30. Unbeknownst to us...we were supposed to get tickets in advance and only wait-list was available (whoops). Despite that, we were able to sign up at the place without an issue. At the hour I went, coffee, wine, beer, and non alcoholic beverages were all available. Lots of books and cute cards to explore. It was a bustling crowd filled with chatter on a Tuesday night. We teamed up with two other people and still got our butts kicked but overall a very fun evening! If you didn't want to sign-up for trivia, there is plenty of bar space where you can partake by listening or just chill out.

Amazing idea! Friendly staff. Loved this place--the vibes were very welcoming to all. If you're coming to do work, just make sure to double check their laptop hours as there are certain times that they'll ask you to put it away.

The Book Club Bar has such an amazing concept - coffee, booze, and books? Count me in. There is a long bar offering seating, along with some small tables in the back, some comfortable chairs, and patio seating. There is no public wifi, so if you're hoping to get some work done, you'll need to hotspot your phone. If you want to just use your laptop to write or work, there are some rules you'll want to follow. Laptops are not allowed after 6 pm and there is a suggested 90-minute limit on them before that, so it doesn't make it the ideal place for working. I came by here on a Monday morning and it was fairly busy as the day stretched on. During my visit the espresso machine was down, and they don't have chai, so I opted for matcha. It was good.

Bad taste in my mouth. I used to come by skim a book and see if I like it then buy and keep reading in store at least once every few weeks. Last time I was there -they were evicting people from tables including one couple who had just sat down with their coffees and were told because they were already drinking standing up they had no claim to a table. This time 15 min in the shop I was followed around/uncomfortably stared at the store and told by employee I wasn't allowed to read/open the the book if I didn't buy it- because it needed to be in sellable condition. Have never had this issue at any other book seller globally (big box, independent or mom and pop), and I didn't do anything that would damage a book. I was there for about 30 min and just felt so unwelcome I left. This place used to be so friendly and a great place to hang out- but now it feels like the want you to immediately buy a book/drink and leave as soon as they can kick you out.

great place for a nightcap or a chill evening night with a little drink. you're welcome in by a vibe as cozy as your local bookstore and as hearty as your favorite intimate bar. although drinks on the menu are rather limited for my taste, for most people who may be less picky, you may have no problem finding something you'll like. they sell all books, so you're prompted not to sit down and read them unless you're going to take it home with you. limited seating in the actual front but apparently there's a nice patio onto the back. due to a social event just before, the bar was a little too busy for a comfortable and quiet read.

Absolutely loved it here! I ordered a latte and croissant and sat in a cozy corner reading my book for a few hours. So many people there reading in a cute and quiet atmosphere.

LOVE this place! What could be better than a bookstore, live music, and wine?! Nothing in my opinion! I couldn't wait to go when I read about it and half expected that it would not live up to my expectations. Nope! Went on a Sunday night when they had live music. A guy from NJ played and sang originals on his guitar while his dog watched from the comfy chairs with his wife in the back. Other hipsters listened while also reading and studying from tables. Others sat around on the floor. The front of the place had a long bar, where you could order beer, wine, coffee and other drinks while reading and chatting. No one seemed to care if you bought the books you read while in there. I kept moving spots to be able to experience it all, wine + books in hand. I'm middle-aged and didn't feel out of place in this Alphabet City spot AT ALL! I can't wait to go back!

"Meet me at this cafe I want to try," my friend said, neglecting to mention how far away it was from any trains that were convenient for me. BUT, alas, this is only tangentially relevant to the actual experience of being here, which I did actually enjoy. She's a little long, space wise, with a window that opens up completely to the outside so that when I got there I wasn't sure whether I should open the door to enter or just....step through the open window-wall (I did the latter). The cafe is in front, then there are shelves and shelves of books sorted by genre, with more seating in the back. I ordered an iced matcha latte, which....fell flat. The drink itself came too watery AND the matcha was not strong enough. This combination was truly deadly. The matcha also tasted exactly like Trader Joe's green tea latte mix which did not help. The general ambiance of the cafe was comfy, though. There were nice arm chairs along with small circular tables for people to work and chat. Although... the music was ever so slightly too loud and the lighting was on the darker side. I'm not sure if I'd be able to work here for long periods of time. I'm used to reading with music, but if people are coming here hoping for a library vibe, you'll be disappointed. ALSO. The bathrooms had books adorning the walls!! I loved it. My stall had HP and the Sorcerer's Stone all over and I felt very at home reading chapter Nicholas Flamel on the toilet :))

Cute unique spot tucked away from all the crazy Limited seating but it adds to the charm Definitely gets busy and full fast. Order at the bar and find a place to sit or stand. Definitely a place to check out if you like unique bars

I love the book club bar! It does get very packed but it's still very casual and friendly place to get work done, read, and drink some espresso martinis.

4.5* Stopped by this store while showing a friend around NYC. They've got a nice selection of books + some outdoor & indoor seating. Then they've got some additional bar seating where they serve caffeinated & alcohol drinks! It's definitely not the easiest to snag a seat in this establishment (I went on a Sunday late afternoon), but eventually got the sit at the bar). Service was good! The bartender was super nice & recommended the Chardonnay! Otherwise, the vibes are great. Not often do you feel comfortable reading at a bar but this place was perfect for it. If you are a big reader and just want an interim spot to visit & relax for a bit, highly recommend this spot. I'd love to visit again at night and see what it's like then as well.

This spot is so cute and charming! They're a bookstore combined with a cafe/bar! During the day they allow laptops so you can come and work there! Had a delicious almond croissant and a mimosa while my friend got a latte and a chocolate croissant. I wish this was closer to where I lived! They have a great selection of books to buy as well!

The cutest book bar.. a great bar area to grab a seat solo and read and order drinks, tons of books to purchase if you didn't bring your own, and other seating scattered throughout the bar. House glass of wine is $8 which is very affordable for nyc. It is difficult to get a seat on the weekends so be aware you may have to stand around and wait for a bit

One of my favorite places we stopped by in NY. Late night bookstore meets bar! You can bring a book, peruse through the store, or ask a friendly stranger for a rec :) Did all the above while sipping a drink. Drink was already yum because of its punny name, but ultimately the vibes and the people made it! We came in around 10p, read books we brought, and had fun conversations with fun people. Said fun people even invited us out to a masquerade ball! Truly felt like the NY experience. Haven't found any place like this in OC/LA, so make sure to hit this spot up if you're in NY!

I love this spot!!! The ambiance is 10/10 and I really enjoyed going solo to a creative writing workshop night, it's a very warm and welcoming vibe. They've got cute Christmas decor at the moment and I usually have enjoyed meeting other bookish girlies when I go out here.

My favorite place in the city at the moment. Romantic/moody atmosphere, friendly backyard for groups, plenty of spots to lounge about and browse for hours on end. The only danger is trying to take too many books home at once. Brilliant set up and concept. Could also be a cute date idea for those looking for a different experience

This is a very cozy bookstore, bar, and coffee shop all in one. I've mainly come to do work in the front as it's always easier to get seating there. If it's ever full when you arrive, I would recommend you linger for a bit as people rotate more often than you think (outside of the people who are deciding to work remotely for the day, lol). There's plenty of outdoor seating too. I have not yet spent time strolling around the bookshelves but given that they're an independent bookstore, I am confident you will find something you will like here.

I would try again Crowded and expensive but Pretty good cocktails* *espresso martini was like $20 or something like that.

A one-of-a-kind cafe/bar/bookstore. It's the perfect spot for spending a lazy Saturday and Sunday with a book. There's plenty of comfortable seating but they do ask that you buy something if you're going to stay. The book selection is really good - on par with a small indie bookstore. We need more places like this in the city!

This place is adorable. I've been here a couple of times and even though it can get quite crowded, I always really enjoy the atmosphere. If you like browsing books, or reading books with a drink, this is the place for you. There's a large bar in the front where you can read and sip on a drink and then towards the back, there's some seating and a really cute outdoor table set up. I would recommend coming here if you enjoy books or just want a quiet spot to read in.

It's so nice to know such a place exists in NYC. I'm so happy I've learned about the Book Club from a colleague at work. I've been forever looking for an enjoyable atmosphere I can purchase a new and happening book, sit in a comfortable chair, sip on wine and have a good read. So let me tell you the Book Club is the happening spot in the East Village. I came here on a Friday evening after work and was so shocked how the place was filled with inquisitive book lovers. There were folks hanging solo and in groups. I'd like to note that this place is certainly COVID friendly, however I'd recommend contacting them to find out the protocols since NYC has new rules. So I'd stayed here for about three hours reading "Crying in H Mart" by Michelle Zauner. I literally read about half of the book before leaving. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the waitress here was a sweetheart. Oh yeah I totally loved their Rose, brownies, choices of authentic and chilled music selection, and the diverse book selection. The Book Club will definitely be my monthly treat. Please check them out if you are a book lover who enjoys wine and a fun atmosphere. They have a no laptop policy after 7PM. That's impressive!

This is a magical place where you can find thoughtful young people sitting at the bar reading alone with no shame. The drinks are as immaculate as the vibes; I got a twist on a French 75 cunningly called the De Beauvoir 75 that had a delicious bit of earl grey tea. The bar is split into three parts: the bar in the front, book store in the middle, and seating in the back leading to a lovely outdoor patio. The books are well curated and they have some adorable cards, stickers, and posters to boot!