Best NYC bookstores that double as cafés and bars
This article is part of a series where I give my top 5 NYC bookstores for different occasions
Sometimes, when you find yourself in a bookstore with a small stack of books in your hand, you’ll just want to sit down and have a nice drink while you sort through your pile. Often though, bookstores lack seating and most don’t double as cafés or bars. If you often find yourself in need of a drink while you read, this article is for you.
Housing Works
A guilty secret of mine with this bookstore- it’s the only one I’ve frequented and don’t buy books at. First thing you’ll notice once you enter is how beautiful and wooden everything is. It’s definitely a contender for a hypothetical “most comfy bookstores in NYC” article (new idea maybe?). Let’s also not forget to mention that the Housing Works bookstore is only one part of a non-profit with the important mission of fighting AIDS and homelessness in NYC. You can read more about that here.
For me, the main draw has always been the bar area at the back. The seating is also fun because they leave journals and pens on the tables for anyone to write with. It’s always interesting to flip through the journals and see what hundreds of people have written or drawn in them. Maybe you can add your touch? For those who are interested, it also doubles/triples as a thrift shop on the second floor!
Address: 126 Crosby St, New York, NY 10012
Book Club
Book Club is one of the few bookstores in the city that is open past 10pm; on Sunday to Wednesday, they close at midnight, and on Thursday to Saturday, they close at 1am! Being that it’s located in the nightlife neighborhood of East Village, it only makes sense that it closes so late. The book selection is pretty new and up to date. As for the drinks, Book Club serves a range of beer, wine, and cocktails + coffee. It’s definitely the most strongest “bar” vibe of all of the bookstores on this list. Seating is comfy but space is limited! Great place to catch up with some friends who love bar-hopping and bookstore hopping.
Address: 197 East 3rd Street, New York, NY 10009
Molasses Books
This is kind of the opposite of Book Club. Whereas Book Club is for extroverts and has a tad bit more of a nightlife atmosphere, Molasses is a more mellow and introverted experience. Also unlike Book Club, Molasses is a smaller used bookstore with a single small counter and more of a café vibe to it. There’s sufficient seating both inside and outside! Located in Bushwick, it is a bit out of the way and more of a neighbourhood-focused bookstore but that only makes it an even cosier place to hang out at. Lastly, and probably to the great benefit of my fellow night owls, Molasses closes at midnight every day!
Address: 770 Hart St, Brooklyn, NY 11237
McNally Jackson – Seaport
If you’re not already familiar with McNally Jackson, it’s probably New York’s biggest indie bookstore chain (the others include Book Culture, Shakespeare & Company, and Greenlight). Don’t let that label fool you though. McNally Jackson locations are often in some of the nicest locales with pretty interiors.
The Seaport location is perhaps one of my favourite bookstores in the city. Upstairs there is tons of comfy seating and shelves upon shelves of books. One thing that McNally Jackson does that is unique is that it separates fiction by region of the world. So if you’re in the mood to sample literature from other countries or continents such as Russia, France, South Asia, Africa, Japan, etc, there is a section for you. In this location’s case, it has a wonderful bar downstairs with a really sweet cushioned corner booth if you can get it.
Address: 4 Fulton St, New York, NY 10038
Topos Bookstore Cafe
I wrote about this place in my first article detailing my opinion on the best NYC bookstores per borough and choose it as my pick for Queens. Surprise, surprise, it still holds up. While it may be a little out of the way (near one of the last stations on the M), it’s still worth a visit if you expect to come and stay for a couple hours.
The book selection is great with a impressive collection of used classics if that’s your thing (it’s definitely mine). The café is just as good with seating both inside and outside. The bookstore and the cafe actually share the same counter so you can order a coffee and buy your book at the same time, or do one before the other!
Address: 788 Woodward Ave, Queens, NY 11385
Honourable Mentions
Every Thing Goes Book Cafe, Shakespeare & Company, Bluestocking Cooperative, Kinokuniya
