Sometimes, all you want is to sit down with that buzzy new romantasy novel your friends are talking about. Other times, what's calling you is that delicious gin-forward cocktail at the local bar.
When you want to combine the two, you need a bookish bar or literary lounge—and you're in luck. Over the last few years, a new crop of establishments that blur the line between literary energy and tasty drinks has grown up around the Bay Area. These six spots will have you curling up with both.
Clio's(Courtesy of @ranumukherjee)
Clio’s Books
Stepping downstairs into Clio’s is like entering a deeply appealing combination of pirate ship captain’s cabin and vintage university library. Nooks and secret spots abound (don’t miss the red erotica room), and even during the daytime the rooms are dark and moody. With a variety of events on esoteric and local interest topics, and more than 10,000 used and new books arranged in a unique chronological order, Clio’s is a compelling place to explore, especially with a house cocktail (think Heyday Negroni or Lapham Mezcal Old Fashioned). //353 Grand Ave. (Oakland), cliosbooks.com
This book and wine lounge opened up in Berkeley’s Elmwood neighborhood in 2023 and has quickly attracted a loyal community who love its demure, elegant atmosphere and diverse events calendar, which includes a monthly theme pairing books with wine. The self-serve “sip station” features a rotating variety of wines (often those that are women-owned) and a NA option, while the book selection leans local and popular. Staff offer helpful tasting notes and the space lends itself to both cozy chats and solo reading with a drink. //2945 College Ave. (Berkeley), booksociety.social
Novela(Courtesy of @novelabarsf)
Novela
With color-coordinated books on the walls and literary-themed cocktails, Novela’s nod to the theme embraces the drinking energy more than the quiet reading vibe. A solid spot for post-work happy hour in downtown San Francisco, it shifts into a clubbier and louder environment as the evening progresses. Explore their housemade on-tap punch if you need to loosen up before working on that first draft. //662 Mission St. (SF), novelasf.com
North Light
With books in the front and a party in the back (a cool patio), Temescal’s North Light is a super inviting space for catching up with friends that gets bonus points for an excellent happy hour. The book selection is curated by the staff’s favorite authors (Samin Nosrat, Daniel Handler, Patti Smith, George Saunders, and more) and includes those both by and loved by them. Solid music and tasty drinks with an ever-changing menu of old favorites and new flavors make this neighborhood spot a destination worth traveling to. //4915 Telegraph Ave. (Oakland), northlight.bar
Obscenity(Courtesy of Obscenity Bar & Lounge)
Housed on the first floor of Hotel Emblem in SF, Obscenity is the regular venue for the city's Silent Book Club (aka Introvert Happy Hour), where readers gather to not talk to each other, communally. If you’ve ever wanted to cuddle up on a bench under giant portraits of Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac with a Writer’s Block cocktail (pineapple margarita with jalapeno infused mezcal), this hotel bar might hit the spot. // 562 Sutter St. (SF), hotelemblem.com
One of the early players in San Francisco’s speakeasy and bookish bar games, Bourbon and Branch has a few entrance points. The Library is the only one you can access without a reservation—but you will need a password, easily found on the website. After you ring the buzzer on the O'Farrell Street side of the building, you'll be escorted to a dim book-lined space with a custom cocktail menu focused on the classics. //501 Jones St. (SF), bourbonandbranch.com/library
