Philosophers & Fools

This bookstore is amazing. I loved it! It’s cool that they host trivia night as well as crossword puzzles. The wine, popcorn and grilled cheese are great bonuses 😁. This bookstore is not only a place to get your favorite reads, but it’s also a really neat place to hangout with friends.

Beautiful bookstore, with fantastic vibe. The books were so well curated. I bought 2 books on my wish list and found another impulse purchase, that was highly recommended by the staff. The lady behind the counter was incredibly kind, and we had a great chat. Didn't try the food because we had just come straight from lunch. Will absolutely be visiting again next time I'm downtown Charleston.

Loved this bookstore! It was our first stop when coming to visit Charleston. We met the owners and discussed their store and the lay out of the books. We also discussed the stores book club that they host every month and how they choose what book they go with for each month. We bought several hardcover books and each had a beer from their bar. It was lovely chatting and having a beer while discussing our mutual love of books and reading. I highly recommend this bookstore/bar/cafe to anyone in the Charleston area.

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.

The coziest atmosphere to grab a sandwich and read a book. My work hosts our book clubs here and I've fallen in love with the location. The staff is kind and welcoming. They're your friend from the minute you enter. They were hosting a chat right when we were leaving that many teenagers were attending. I LOVED to see that! My sandwich was good. I can't wait to buy back and buy a book from my new favorite bookstore.

I love it here. Mike & Jenny are wonderfully kind and curated a fantastic collection. It is hard to find a place where the world falls away for a little bit and to ascertain some peace and quiet (with good wine and paninis). I love to read and despite my occasional request for trashy billionaire romances and strange books no one has ever heard of I have never once felt judged. My sister and love attending book club together because nothing beats sister time over wine and books. All their staff is knowledgeable and delightful to speak with. I recommend this place to anyone, and all the paninis are great- I have sampled/ gorged on each one. Definitely follow their instagram for wine/book pairings and fun events. Go here. Enjoy. Amazing community.

Awesome spot to relax! I grabbed a beer and sat at the bar was able to read my book comfortably. Also grabbed a sandwich and it was pretty tasty. Would definitely recommend this place to anybody who is looking for a quiet place to read and relax.

Philosophers and Fools is hands down one of my favorite places to be. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, the book selection is thoughtfully curated, and the drinks are always on point. What really makes this indie bookstore shine, though, are the owners—they’ve created such a special space that truly feels like a community hub. Whether I’m browsing for my next read or just soaking in the cozy vibes, I always leave feeling inspired. Can’t recommend it enough!

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!