Philosophers & Fools

Parking is terrible- there is no lot. The surrounding area has 1-2hr residential street parking, so accessibility & availability vary. I'll be walking next time if I do go back. Should you make it in though, it's very cute 'n tidy with nice natural lighting by the bar and books where you first walk in. $1 popcorn too! At the rear, there's a little corner area with couches that look like they can be reserved i. e. for a book club meeting. The selection of books is decent, all of course at higher $ since you are shopping from a small bookstore. I don't know whether this actually benefits the authors though, since I think their income would come from the publishing company/royalties.

I love this addition to downtown. The parking was actually readily available in comparison to anywhere else downtown. The owners are passionate and lovely. The book selection is well curated and not over whelming. They explained their process of selection which was done with exceptional care. I felt the prices were the same as all of the other book stores I go to except this one is better because it has wine, snacks, and cozy places to hang out. They are also starting a book club and local speakers which I will be sure to attend!

Incredible spot! Stumbled upon this place while waiting for a table at a nearby restaurant. What a gem! Books selection is well curated- we walked out with 4 books in tow and had no plan to shop at the start of our evening ;) Thoughtful NA menu. Staff was helpful and engaging.

We didn’t have any food, but the atmosphere and drinks were lovely! It’s so cool to grab a drink and find a book. My husband and I enjoyed it immensely.

Funky bookstore. Comfy chairs for reading... ...Or sit at the bar. Good beer & wine selection. Books: new releases, staff choices, bestsellers, classics, many other classification. Wide variety of authors, but shop size doesn't allow for deep catalog.

This is a superb bookstore. The stock is not large but the titles they have are exquisitely selected. In the fiction section, it was the rare book I wouldn’t consider purchasing. I find myself wondering whether the man behind the bar, whom I paid for the books, has perhaps read the entire inventory. He certainly commented intelligently on my purchases. A real gem, this place.

Very relaxed environment. Whether you’re coming to buy books for your personal library or have a little drink with friends! 10/10 recommend!

Service is thoughtful and attentive for drinks and for book shopping. Selection for books is great for its size. Always have the trending books as well as classics and up and coming books. A wonderful local spot for wine, books and community

Cute little bookshop with beer and wine? Yes! Cozy corners to read in? Yes. Friendly and helpful staff? Yes! Do they have all the books you ever dreamed of? No, but they can order them. I had a good first visit here and will be back to support them when I can as I hope this little bookshop sticks around.

Most everyone here is drinking a glass of wine and reading a book or enjoying the $1 popcorn!! You can't even get a hot dog for $1 at the Rigerdogs game anymore! Little book club going on in the corner on a Tuesday, my partner and I enjoyed a drink together. I got a beer though - they have a cool Pilsner called Fatty Light Michael is a gem and so is this little spot. I'm enjoying the quiet time they have but I know this place will be a bustling favorite before long.

My newly met friends and I wandered the streets of Cannonborough looking for a place to grab a glass of wine when a woman approached us and provided two suggestions in opposite directions. When asked which was better she pointed down the street and said, "Philosophers and Fools" so off we went! This little wine bar / independent bookstore is new in the Charleston area having opened less than two months ago at the time of this review. It still had that new store smell that of fresh paint and new drywall. A commanding wooden bar is immediately noticeable upon entering and nearby are a variety of bookshelves neatly arranged and perfectly faced. There also was a nook where there were a few comfy looking chairs that one could read and sip. I instantly was reminded of a similar themed bookstore / wine bar in Asheville but this was on a much smaller scale. The owners are also the operators and they discussed the process of how they selected their books and I never thought how much energy must go into creating an inventory from scratch. They are a neighborhood bookstore and wine bar and decently near Verns and Chubby Fish that if / when either has a long wait time P&F is a great location to sip a glass of wine and pass the time. They have a solid wine selection, several beers, a hard seltzer, and several nonalcoholic beverages from coffee to hot chocolate. I had two glasses of wine and thought both were excellent. Highly recommend stopping by!

What a neat place! Two favorite things combined into one -- drinking and reading. Wish I had an ideal parking situation so that I could enjoy the space a little longer. I'll certainly be coming back!

Loved the drinks, popcorn, owners are super cute, great ambiance. I loved everything about it.

We had a wonderful time at Philosophers & Fools. The food is excellent -- we had flavorful simple sandwiches and fun snacks. The drink selection is similarly fantastic; a range of beers from light to dark to sour to hoppy plus a bunch of options for wine. Oh yeah and a nice iced coffee. On the book side of things, we got a bunch of great suggestions from the staff and enjoyed how knowledgeable they were about the full selection. Overall a big highlight of our trip to Charleston.

Toooooooo loud!!! Food very good, service good, however, the noise level was intolerable. We could not have a conversation!

Such a nice place to chill and have a casual (and inexpensive) drink with the gals! Went here before dinner and will 100% be back

Such a fun bookshop! A little of everything, tasty beverages, and friendly staff. A place for all bookish folk to go and enjoy.

Philosophers and Fools has the best selection of books in Charleston. The owners are clearly knowledgeable and personally interested in books and wine, and it shows through in the quality of both. It's a great neighborhood spot that feels comfortable and friendly and represents the best in what a small business can be.

Great vibes with cozy reading spots!! The owners were so nice and hospitable. Also a great book selection and layout!