Clio’s Books

It's a great book store and bar! Good combination of alcohol with intellectualism! Great decorations with books and ornaments. All books are for sale! Amazing atmosphere with responsive service and welcoming host. It's a full bar with all sort of cocktails and drinks. No food just bar snacks / plates. Great for couples and or dates.

So grateful to have Clio’s in the neighborhood 🤩 the owner, Timothy, cares about the community and fostering a welcoming space over extracting a profit. He rents the space out for very affordable prices and it functions as a great event space! The seating is very cozy and the drinks are delicious - great for date, hang out, or the like. Go and support this unique bookstore bar and bring friends!

A friend of mine introduced me to this spot, and it's such a cool idea! We definitely need more places like this that mix books and a bar vibe around the bay. I'm really over going to bars and seeing folks glued to their laptops on a Saturday night! Seriously, what's so urgent that you need to work on a Saturday!? Clio has a no-laptop policy, and it's honestly so nice to step into a place where people actually CHAT with one another. The drinks are reasonably priced, and the service is super friendly!

Books + drinks + relaxing atmosphere = My perfect combination for a venue such as this. The bartender was a joy to speak with. I ordered their Manhattan, one of three cocktails listed on their $10 menu. Other than being served premixed (I had to dock a star off for that alone) and with ice by default, I enjoyed it and would order it again (neat next time). I also got a chance to speak with one of the managers about hosting book clubs. Again, it was a friendly experience all around. After they provided the email address for the general manager (for book club reservations), I took my drink and walked around the place, poking at their vast book collection and taking in the warm, peaceful atmosphere they've cultivated. I definitely look forward to returning in the near future - likely with friends in tow!

This is a lovely hidden gem in Oakland. The seating areas are cozy and they have a great selection of books for perusing. The bartenders seem a bit like they don't want you there. It would be nice if they had better non-alcoholic options like coffee, tea, etc.

This place is so cool! Has such a nice vibe and i love the concept of what they were going for. I came here for a quick stop before dinner. Seeing $10 drinks was a nice surprise, especially for the bay. The mezcal Manhattan hits. I read some of the other reviews about the manager which is unfortunate. Would love to see a place like this thrive with positive energy.

Wow I didn’t realize how popular this place would be! 7pm on a Weds and we couldn’t find a table for our small group. But the super kind server, Josh, helped us and said they sometimes hold a few spots for larger groups so I’m glad we asked. Josh continued to impress - checking on us, making sure the kiddo with us was well-situated in the hidden kid’s book nook, and giving honest opinions of the drink offerings (letting us try samples before deciding). The vibe was great — screen-free, dimly lit, and full of books 🤩🤩

Clio’s is such a unique and cozy spot! The combination of a bookstore and bar makes it perfect for relaxing with a drink while browsing some great reads. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with lots of nooks to hang out in and enjoy a quiet moment or chat with friends. The drinks are thoughtfully made, and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable, happy to recommend a book or a cocktail depending on your mood. It’s easy to lose track of time here, between the books, the cozy vibe, and the great drinks, it’s a little hidden gem that feels special every visit. Highly recommend checking it out! 📚🍸✨

What a revelation. A place to go where one is surrounded by books and not phones! We went the other (rainy) evening for the first time and enjoyed some well priced cocktails- and a charming environment as well as snacks. My husband and i were hanging out when a nice bearded fellow (manager) popped over and mentioned that there would be a poetry reading starting in a few minutes. We went into the next room and enjoyed the work of the 3 featured poets and ensuing conversation. When we went back out to the bar/bookstore area everyone was so friendly (our Oakland neighbors as well as staff) that we stayed and enjoyed another drink and bought a book. We were so happy to find a welcoming, sweet spot around the lake which will def become a regular hangout. Thank you guys!

My friend came here and as an avid reader, she recommended this place for me to check out. I've been to places where it's books/wine, so I definitely wanted to try this place out. I came here around 4:30/5pm on a weekend and while there was very little people there, I didn't like the vibe I was getting. Yes, the interior of this place is cute where they have lots of seating available for those who want to drink some beer and read, but the employees here - no thank you. The bartender looked up at me and gave me a glare which wasn't very welcoming at all. I did not feel like they wanted me there. I would say their book options are very limited. Their fiction is very limited and the cookbooks was no existent. I would say that if you like older literature and history this place is where you should go. You can buy the books that are on the shelves I should mention. However, overall I would not come back again.

Books + drinks + relaxing atmosphere = My perfect combination for a venue such as this. The bartender was a joy to speak with. I ordered their Manhattan, one of three cocktails listed on their $10 menu. Other than being served premixed (I had to dock a star off for that alone) and with ice by default, I enjoyed it and would order it again (neat next time). I also got a chance to speak with one of the managers about hosting book clubs. Again, it was a friendly experience all around. After they provided the email address for the general manager (for book club reservations), I took my drink and walked around the place, poking at their vast book collection and taking in the warm, peaceful atmosphere they've cultivated. I definitely look forward to returning in the near future - likely with friends in tow!

It was a dark and rainy night. Everything was closing early, and we needed to kill some time while waiting for our son to get out of his concert. I knew that a bookstore would be open until late, and I came across Clio's. Little did I know that it would be the bookstore of my dreams where one could enjoy not only books but booze. I tried my first buttered rum in this speakeasy bookshop, my husband enjoyed a whiskey, and both were perfect. Books are organized by authors and genres, many look rare and unique, just like this bookstore.

There's a new chill spot in Oakland, and it's Clios. While waiting to be seated at a restaurant down the street, we took the opportunity to explore the Grand Ave. strip and happened upon a place that looked like it was ripped from the streets of London. If you're looking for a spot to sip a cocktail while browsing a random collection of books, this is the perfect place. BB

WHEN: Sat @8:30pm Now this is my kind of bar! To be in a bookshop at night that serves drinks! And the prices are quite reasonable! I got an Old Fashioned for just $10 before tip and tax. Parking may be a bit tricky but we lucked out with one about 2 blocks away The vibe here is nice where it's not loud like at most night bars and lounges so I'm not screaming into someone's ear. They also serve snacks! Would like to come here again!

One of the coolest hidden gems in Oakland. It's like a speakeasy bookstore. Or maybe that's exactly what this is. Someone get me a book on writing. Amazing find! They have a bunch of chairs, chess boards, tons of books....oh and a hidden room You heard me right! Time for the Dr. Who spoilers...if you want to see the hidden room, look for the Hamlet book and pull on it. Voila...hidden room. This place makes online seem...well....not as exciting as holding and reading a real book in a hidden spot with alcoholic drinks!

This place is so desperate for business that they are rude to the customers to basically get a drink or get out. The owner gives you dirty looks --- like he did to the table I was sitting at -- if you sit at the seats too long and I heard some excuse about him being from Brooklyn. Who cares! That's not an excuse for stanky face and kicking people out because of your own stress of your bar not making enough money. Also being a woman of color and knowing he has a problem with bipoc people made it all more reason for me to deliberately stay there just to make him mad. How you gonna be racist in Oakland out of all places?Also he tried to charge me $50 for a book I found on Amazon for $20. Word of advice -- Change your attitude change your life.

Clio's was an absolute gem for our Friday night get-together with the guys. This place adds a touch of sophistication to the lake area. While enjoying a drink, I found myself browsing through an array of interesting books. The vibe is nice -- I chatted with a local artist and engaged in a few lively discussions. Even dogs are welcome, chilling with their owners and adding to the friendly atmosphere. My favorite spot at Clio's is a cozy little nook near the bar. It's bathed in soft, reddish light and surrounded by books, with a snug booth tucked inside. It's the perfect spot for an intimate conversation, whether you're with a date or just a close friend. The whole place has a speakeasy feel, partly because the sign for Clio's is inside, visible only through the windows. The bar doesn't have signature cocktails, but the prices are great--$10 for cocktails and $5 for beers. They even serve coffee, and there's a café opening soon, which is exciting. It got a bit crowded, so finding a good spot can be a challenge on busy nights, but the atmosphere makes it worth it. We tried playing chess, though I must admit, focusing on the game was tricky after a few drinks. Clio's has something for everyone. Whether you want to read quietly, engage in deep conversations, or just people-watch, it's all here. We visited on a First Friday, which is always buzzing in Oakland. After Clio's, we wandered up Grand Ave, near the lake, and stumbled upon a cool jam session with people dancing. Our night ended with a snack at Shake Shack on Broadway, satisfying our munchies. There's so much to do in downtown Oakland, and Clio's is a fantastic starting point for any night out. Highly recommend!

An absolutely needed gem of a place in the area and bay. What a great great concept the to wish was implemented more!! Such cozy cute vibes inside, open until 11 pm to lounge around and drink (or not), and so inviting. Randomly found this whilst walking by the lake and so happy to have

Da Mystery of chessboxin' aka Wu-Tang Clan harmony in my head Clio's Bookstore and Bar in Oakland is the best thing since bread became sliced. My beloved lives in Oakland. We did a walk around Lake Merritt. Got some Ethiopian cuisine and stumbled upon this diamond of a place. My beloved ordered a cocktail and enjoyed it. I played chess with a former chess master who was a professional traveling chess master in the day. It was an honor to play with him. You can learn a lot in five minutes. Nice Satsang with him. Heaps of books on various subjects here. All are used and all for sale. I picked up a diamond book aka vintage travel guide from India circa 1981 by Lonely Planet. I spent over three years in India over three years, eight Winters, and nine trips. I wrote three DIY aka self published memoirs of my time in India so was nice to compare and contrast places in India in this book for have traveled extensively all over India. Friendly folks here. Friendly staff. Chess. Books. Bar. Food to follow soon. Would be awesome if they offered some vegan options. This is a gem in the Bay Area. Highly recommended! We will be back and often. See you there.

After having dinner next door, I saw people going on and felt nosey enough to follow. Talk about a hidden gem, an impressive selection of books, plenty of seating options and an adorable bar with generous pours all below street level. I think I saw a sign saying all books were $10 but I could be wrong. I feel like this is a lovely place for date night or catching up with a friend.

I was really excited to find a space where I could enjoy a drink and some books with my partner. We sat for about 30 minutes and when we finished our drinks, within 5 minutes, a man cleared the cups. I thanked him for grabbing them. Within 2 minutes of him grabbing them, he asked us if we wanted anything else. Granted we just finished, I said I was okay at the moment. The man said they're getting busy so other people are looking to find seats and enjoy their drinks. We were occupying a small corner of couch with plenty of space left. People were more than welcome to join us. However, I took the hint he wanted us to leave and my partner and I left. The space is small and really intimate. The bartender was nice. I get that they don't have a lot of space and are trying to run a business but kicking out patrons because they aren't tossing back drinks isn't a cool. Not sure if I'll be back. edit: I read other reviews and it's clear what happened to us is a pattern. Disappointing.

Haven't written a review in years but I felt compelled to after a strange experience with the male bartender/owner (?) I looked up reviews and saw a reddit post where they mentioned they single out people to leave, potentially with a racial motivation, then came here and saw all the reviews detailing a similar experience I had. My friend and I were there for less than an hour. I noticed the man kept looking over at us, like he was actively observing or trying to listen in on the conversation, and I thought it was coincidental at first. Then, he asked what else we are going to order, we said we were fine for now, then he "nudged" us to leave by saying the bar was getting busy. Again, this was a little less than an hour in on a Monday evening, after I had already bought a cocktail. As we were leaving, we noticed several open tables and it wasn't crowded at all, so we were extra confused. Not only that, but it's a bookstore where I've seen people casually hanging out. I've never been pushed to leave that before, and it felt like he singled us out, which is a bummer because I like the vibe and have had good experiences here before. However, the rudeness from the owner has made me rethink coming here in the future.

Super cool bar! Met my bookclub girlies here to discuss the latest book we read. Will need to return to & explore the books that are for sale as well!

Very cozy and intimate location with friendly staff, a nice selection at the bar, and even a secret children's nook! Family friendly, but definitely more for adults to maintain the calm/quiet vibe.

Clio's is cool, and about to get cooler. It's been around for six months or so, and consists of a sub-sidewalk level bookstore and bar. A small suite of cocktails cost $10 each, including the mezcal old fashioned I enjoyed. But it's a full bar with wine and beer, so you can get whatever. The bookstore is arranged by era - decades for the last century or so, then distinct periods dating back to antiquity. It's a brilliant arrangement, such that you can't just make a bee-line to whatever topic interests you. You have to search through fiction and non-fiction to find what you want, and hopefully to find what you didn't expect. There are plenty of places to sit, kibbitz, and play chess if you want. The bartender was lovely, chatting with me and the wife this past Sunday. They have events regularly, but you have to look for them at eventbrite, because as of now, there's no website, not even a phone number. This coming Sunday (23-Jun-2024) features Cornel West! Local authors are welcome to bring their books here to sell, which we'll do. No screens allowed, hence the home-made picture I provided, with actual books I purchased there. Coming soon: a functioning kitchen with expanded space. Can't wait to go back!

This place is such a vibe. Super chill, you can grab a drink and read a book. Very cozy and relaxing place. Pretty decent drink selection too. They have plenty of sitting area. Parking is a bit difficult since it's by the Lake. Overall, def check it out if you're in the area.

Cool spot, not your usual "bar." Bookstore/Bar combo. Seating is limited, but it is a nice untraditional spot to have a drink and relax. The vibe is chill and the crowd is diverse. It is probably hit or miss on the type of people you might see, but there is only one way to fine out! That being said, there were $10 cocktails, $5 drafts, and a excellent selection of Beer, wine, and alcohol. The bar tenders were nice and knew what they were doing. My only selection would be to somehow have more seating. There were a few dogs hanging out as well. Bathroom was clean. There is a chess board if that is your jam. You can also buy a book if that is your jam.

One of my new favorite places. Came here with a friend to play chess and ended up meeting so many new people. The bar is great for fostering conversation. A lot of people seemed to be on dates and it is a very cute date spot. They have a great selection of books organized by time period. There are tables and seating around. They ask to be a screen free place which I love. Bartenders were very nice. Titus was working and was really friendly and sweet. I even got a chess game with him (he's very good). Good drink selection and the house cocktails are reasonable. Will be back!

Poor service. We got turned away at 9:30 from service at clios even though they keep serving other people. Was excited to take my friend there. The lady said "yeah I think we're going to call it and stop serving early tonight." It felt rude and arbitrary. Last week, my girl friend and her two friends experienced the same thing, but I wanted to give this place another chance. I don't want to make it about race bc there were other black people there but idk if it's a south Asian bias thing or just rude service. Either way, needs improvement and training or you will lose your returning clientele. EDIT: Jesus, I felt bad that I may have mis-judged a situation so I came here to edit my review, but then I took a moment to read the other reviews....asking brown people to leave is a trend by the owner/management.

This was a sweet place and the mezcal old fashioned ($10) was excellent! Lots of spots to read your book with varying degrees of light.

The bartender was not friendly at all. I regret tipping. Also, my brother's phone accidentally came on, and as he was trying to frantically turn it off, a bartender/worker came over to us and told us that no phones were allowed. My brother was obviously trying to turn off his phone. So, they can speak loudly at the bar, but no phones are allowed? We overheard bar conversations from another room. The drinks were very strong, but disgusting. This "bookstore"/bar won't last.

Do they ask everyone to buy stuff or leave or is it just the black people? Josh interrupted my business meeting to say we needed to buy something or leave??? And then when I asked him about his approach he said "well we're a business" Was excited to tell my network about this place in oak town but unfortunately we won't be back I'll just create something similar at our whiskey lounge in Pleasanton....

Very cool ...but not good if you actually want to purchase a book! I found a book I wanted and the price written on it was $4. When I went to purchase I was told that the prices marked on the books were not the actual price and that the book I wanted would cost $15. This was a worn copy that would sell at Walden Pond for ~$4 so I put it back on the shelf. But REALLY? This place is so hip that you are supposed to know that nothing costs as marked? Without any notice about this obscure policy? Or was this just a nasty bartender? Either way, I won't try to buy a book here again. Just go for a drink and chat and peruse as it's great for that.

I generally don't make reviews but I felt that with tonight's experience it was necessary. The night started off great and the drinks were great. However at the time of closing someone (employee) decided to target my sister and I. He told us that the bar was closing so we needed to leave. The person followed us and made sure we got outside. While the place was full of people!! I have honestly never felt so disrespected in my life in Oakland. Like never!! The place had so many people inside yet this guy was tried so hard to get make sure we left the establishment. What I thought would be a great night turned into one of disappointment. I will never come here again. And I would encourage others not too. They are racist - since they only made sure to kick out the two black and brown people in the bar.

Great place for have a meeting or dating or hang out So many interesting books and good cocktail

Super cool spot in Oakland. It's not so big for large groups, however great for dates, outings with a friend or two, or solo adventures! I came here on a date, but we did not order any drinks which would have been cool. Clio's is a bookstore that had live music when I visited and a small bar in the center. There are various seating areas throughout - some high tables, a sofa, a small private hideaway room that is right across from the bar. You'll be lucky if you're able to find a place to have a seat -- you'll have to get the timing just right. It was packed as is, it was crowded where all the seats were taken when we arrived, yet after waiting a little the little room across from the bar opened up. I would love to come back here someday to get the full full experience and take a browse around the books they had on their shelves too. I love quirky little places like this, hope they stick around for a while.

I like Clio bc I can tell it wants to be/is? part of the local community. They have a nice selection of wine and spirits. It's a cool spot to go for some quiet, books, drinks, and run into people you know. It's definitely a hot date night spot bc it's so unique. They also get the after work crowd. It's a nice mix. They encourage no screens, which is nice bc they offer an environment where you don't want to look at a screen. Walls of books surround you. It's lovely. The book selection is...classics? I honestly can't put a finger on the book offerings bc maybe my taste doesn't match what's offered. It's a homogenous selection. It would be cool if they had lesser-known titles that sparked curiosity. Perhaps I missed those. I think some of the crowd takes itself super seriously (lol, it's a fucking book bar) bc this one loud, opinionated lady liked what they offered and loved that they didn't have "selections from Reese Witherspoon's book club." *rolls eyes* I hesitate to share this part in the review bc it could just be me, so please take this with a grain of salt, but I feel like they watch customers. I'm not sure if it's a particular type of person that triggers it, but I've witnessed them (a young lady at the bar and I think the owner) randomly walk directly to a shelf, touch a book, pretending to, I dunno, look, for a book? scope whatever or whoever they're looking at, then walk away. It's subtle enough to chalk it up to my paranoia, but my gut is telling me I'm right. Know what I mean? It makes me uncomfortable bringing my books to read and have a drink, which is what I like to do in bars in general. AGAIN, maybe I'm trippin. I really, really want to feel comfortable here. I've purchased several books here, but I can't relax bc of how many times I've noticed them doing that weird watching thing. Long story short, it's a lovely spot worth visiting at least once.

Very pleasant space and a relaxed vibe to chat over a glass of wine. I'm a person of color and didn't feel anything amiss. Only issue is that they have oddly few tables and no extra stools floating around. We had to stand with our drinks at the one available bar table because it only had one stool. Seemed like everyone was wandering around looking for stools. Bar tables are oddly spaced out in the main room - sort of like Covid days - very far apart. Feels awkward! Also, only one bartender at a busy time - happy hour. So wait for drinks was long. That combined with difficulty finding a seat makes it a risky bet to come again if you want a quick drink. But overall like the concept and space. Just more seats please!! It will feel more cozy if there were more place to actually sit!

It is every bit as cozy and charming as everyone else has already said. Certain things make it stand out from other bookstores: little touches like a poem or word puzzler left here and there, and of course the arrangement spanning from ancient philosophers through centuries and centuries up to a copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, a place to actually read for a bit before buying or chat with a friend. The seats could definitely be more comfortable though, and noise from the street carries through an odd window on the side or down from the pipes. The drink menu is small but serviceable. The cordials and bottles for the cocktail ingredients are more impressive than the drinks themselves. The cocktails are not bad by any means, and are balanced, but not any creative mixes which is fine. This is definitely more the spot for apero or an after-dinner drink and chat if you aren't ready to wrap up from your date or with a small group of friends.

Just what I needed. This is a mellow, fun, interesting, comfortable hidden gem. It feels more like a library than a bookstore. The many diverse book nooks are comfortable and inviting. Hang out with a friend, friends, or yourself. I have visited on weekends during the day. It's quiet but not oppressively silent. I hear it's more of a party scene in the evening.

No ifs, buts, or ands about it, this place is amazing. The author talks, the space, the ambiance, the book selection - top-notch.

This place is a treasure! The owner Timothy is very personable and inviting with such a warm spirit. The bartenders are the best in the bay they always have a specialty that you must try...and so nice. The books are some of the best finds! It's just a dope place to hang out and meet good folks!

Hard not to like this place. The drinks are very good and reasonably priced, the bartenders are nice, vibes are good. Being able to drink while randomly pulling books off the shelf and discussing them makes for great conversation. There's also chess sets for the extra intellectual.

vibe killer? no, they're just racist I went here on a Saturday night and walked out wondering, well, just how many drinks am I supposed to get after 10 pm? I came to clios with a few girlfriends & we each got a drink. as we're hanging out in a very crowded room, we get reprimanded for reading the books on the bookshelves because they're intended to be sold. multiple people came by and asked if we wanted another drink, but we had been there for 30 minutes. at 10:40, another staff person came by to take our glasses if we were done, and then he came back 5 minutes later to ask us to leave, since we don't have any drinks. he said "we close at 11 and asking people to clear out, since you guys don't have drinks" but there were other people without drinks who were left alone. then I thought - if you don't know how to manage crowds, maybe get a bouncer? but the same thing happened to my friend, another woman of color last night, and it clicked - OHHHHHH. they're racist???? I thought it was weird that the first time I came here and I was looking at the menu, the owner (I'm guessing) whisked by and took the menu from my hand saying "that's not published yet" cute atmosphere but the weird vibes of the staff & barely masked racism really outweighs the experience. save ur money & don't go here.

Absolutely brilliant bookshop and bar. The 10,000+ books are organized in a spectacular tradition-breaking fashion: by era. But not publishing era, but subject era. So next to the Iliad and the Odyssey is Joyce's Ulysses. The bar is a gem and the entire vibe is marvelous.

Amasingly good readings and a spectacular collection of books! Great place to browse and discover surprises and a lovely community

This place feels like a secret, the good kind. Just go. Even good with kids! (The cool ones)

I will definitely never come back. I don't see how an owner can justify singling out certain people, rudely asking them if they've paid, and trying to rush them out with hateful energy. They are really aggressive. This is not a welcoming space.

Noticing that I now experience a night out the way one might at an open house for a real estate listing and I'm not sure how I feel about this. When did I start taking in the world like it's a Pinterest board. I go to what is basically a low key library bar, not quite in a basement, and the first thing I do is make note of the things I'd consider in my own home: books organized by era (fun? nerdy? I like both? Five stars just for the Lewis Lapham connect!), a simple bar area tucked into what feels like a hallway nook lit dark and moody on the way to a back room that's lined with shelves around a communal table. Ceiling lights, okay maybe! Where did they get them, did you know lighting is fucking expensive? Anyway, I ordered an old fashioned and kept looking at the glass thinking, I like this glass it's casual and cozy maybe I could order four of these. And the books from floor to ceiling, books as centerpiece, books as art, books as subject, the hum of conversation. This I don't need a moodboard for. Is it a bookstore, is it a bar--I think it'd make a pretty cool home library.

Beautifully arranged books in chronological order, sets this lovely shop apart. Cocktails and coffee are served at the bar and there are lots of cozy places to sit and enjoy.

The vibe is so snotty. The bartender girl was very rude to my friend who ordered the most basic drink for every bar ( sex on the beach) and said she couldn't make it...with a full bar lol.. but they allow kids in there so make it make sense. The people suck, the book selection could be better but atleast it looks cute

Cute place - great events, good drinks nice vibe for hanging and reading or catching up with a friend

Went during dinner time (5pm) and it wasn't busy. Lots of non-alcoholic drinks. Had an area to play chess and even a secret room (kids only). Ambiance was 10/10.

I haven't been to a place so uniquely cozy and interesting in years. I stumbled upon this place after a long walk by the lake and was immediately intrigued. Upon entering I knew I found something special. I enjoyed a fantastic and shockingly affordable Old Fashioned while reading about Ancient Egypt. The perfect end to a Sunday.

the book curation is superb! I love everything about this place. I thought places and people who appreciate this had vanished from Oakland after lockdown. It's especially delightful to be able to browse books and unwind after 5pm, it just hits different and they have great community events and mocktails

Clio's offers new and used books for sale, arranged by time period with both fiction and non-fiction intermingled. With its below ground location and delightfully homey and cozy feel, the overall experience is that of being invited to share a private library or reading room. The hours are expanding, as are the beverage and food selections. I'll definitely be back, and look forward to cozy tea hangouts here.

Edit: Though an otherwise decent environment, I had a very unpleasant interaction with one server that has entirely soured my view of this business. I will not be back. My experience closely resembled that of other reviewers who were similarly targeted for failure to abide by rules that are not visible or clearly stated anywhere in the space. The rules themselves - no screen usage (phones, tablets, laptops, etc.) and no sitting down in any of the several chairs arranged throughout the space unless you are buying something from the bar - though weird, are not unreasonable. Unfortunately, *how* these rules were enforced struck my partner and I as utterly disrespectful. Clio's does not card at the door, bills itself as both a bookstore and a bar, and marks no separation between general and bar seating (save for the barstools). Nonetheless, my partner and I - who had found our seats before the sudden uptick in guests - were approached and told we must give up our seats so that other patrons who had already purchased drinks could be seated. Feeling unwelcome, we decided to leave altogether. To his credit, the server noticed our disease, followed us to the exit, and assured us that he meant no disrespect. Ultimately though, he doubled down on the validity of his approach.