7 Cozy Bars in NYC for Book Lovers

“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”

-C.S. Lewis 

I’m afraid my days in dark, loud, overly crowded bars are over. I’d much rather get comfy next to a fireplace with a glass of wine and read a good book…and you can do just that at these cozy bars in NYC for book lovers. (Well, not all of them have fireplaces, but many of them do!)

New York City is surprisingly full of bars and restaurants that look like they belong in a remote mansion in the English countryside. We’re talking plush seats, dark woodwork, and, of course, rows and rows of books.

Some of these establishments are book-themed bars, while others are just warm and comforting. Some even double as bookstores, so you can pick up something to read right then and there.

Whether you are a book lover or just looking for a break from the city’s hustle and bustle, check out the following cozy bars in NYC.

7 Cozy Bars in NYC for Book Lovers

Union Hall

702 Union St. (Park Slope, Brooklyn)

Union Hall may not look like it from the outside, but inside looks like a wealthy old businessman’s study, just with a bar… and a couple of bocce ball lanes. It’s a large space, but that means you can claim your corner without being too crowded.

Grab a seat near the giant, peacock-adorned fireplace or on the cushy, leather couches next to little reading lights. It’s a great place to enjoy a hot toddy or boozy hot chocolate on a cold winter’s night.

If you’re going to stay for a time, you’ll be glad to know that Union Hall has happy hour from 4 pm- 7 pm on weeknights, featuring beer and wine for only $6. (Which is an absolute steal in NYC!)

Black Mountain Wine House

415 Union St. (Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn)

When I recently went to Black Mountain Wine House on a dreary winter afternoon, I found two women my age reading their brand-new copies of House of Flame and Shadow side by side while splitting a bottle of wine. You couldn’t find a more perfect cozy bar in NYC for book lovers if you tried!

Black Mountain Wine House has Adirondack chairs outside and a real wood-burning fireplace inside. The walls are full of books and bottles of wine. You can easily settle into a corner near the window or the fireplace and stay awhile.

If you need a snack while you read, there are plenty of delicious options (particularly if you like cheese). You can pick which cheeses you want on a cheeseboard that comes with fruit and fresh bread, or warm up with a bowl of mac and cheese.

Book Club

197 East 3rd St. (East Village, Manhattan)

When looking for book bars in NYC, Book Club in the East Village will certainly be on the list, as it should be. It’s the perfect blend of independent bookstore and bar. You’ll feel like you’re getting cozy in someone’s living room as you relax in a plushy leather chair, with a book and drink in hand.

Book Club is open all day, starting at 9 am until late (midnight or 1 am). You can work on your laptop until 6 pm, at which point the vibe becomes more communal. They also host events at night, such as poetry readings, acoustic music sets, and author interviews.

I really enjoy the sense of humor at Book Club. The staff book recommendations are always fun and the cocktail menu has punny homages to famous works, such as “Murder on the Orient Espresso Martini” and “Cider House Mules.”

Liz’s Book Bar

315 Smith Street (Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn)

Another of the newer book bars in the city is Liz’s Book Bar. Here you can find folks working, reading, browsing, and sipping.

Founder Maura Cheeks named her bookstore bar after her grandmother, Elizabeth, who inspired Ms. Cheeks to become an author. Ms. Cheeks noted that she wanted to create a sense of community with a place where people want to stay. With a friendly staff and delicious treats, you will definitely want to stay awhile.

Liz’s Book Bar hosts events such as “Boozy Brunch Writing Salons,” where you can learn to enhance your writing. Laptops need to be put away at 5 pm, and every day (except Monday), from 7 pm onwards, is “Lit Hour,” where a beer is $5 with the purchase of a book.

Milk and Roses

35 Box St. (Greenpoint, Brooklyn)

I love everything about Milk and Roses- the food, the vibe, the wine glasses as big as my head… and (of course) the walls and walls of antique books. It’s a great place for date night, including if that means taking yourself on a date to read.

Milk and Roses is one of the cozy bars in NYC for book lovers that also has a real, working fireplace. Set yourself up at one of the communal tables near the fire next to the library reading lights. The wifi password is on the table if you want to get some work done as you snack on Italian dishes.

While the fireplace is delightful in winter, Milk and Roses has a beautiful garden that is open in the warmer months. It looks like it belongs in Paris rather than Brooklyn!

Honorable Mentions

I have yet to go to these bookish-themed bars in NYC, but they’re on my “to-go list.”

• The Dead Poet: This Irish pub on the Upper West Side was designed by a former English teacher and honors famous authors and poets.
• The Cauldron: Harry Potter fans will enjoy this fantasy-themed cocktail bar, where you can create “potions” (without Professor Snape breathing down your neck).
• Bookmarks Rooftop Garden Lounge and Terrace: If a hotel is called the Library Hotel, you would hope that it would have a cozy bar for book lovers. However, Bookmarks is best enjoyed in the summertime, as it is a rooftop bar, with lovely views of Midtown Manhattan.

I hope you can visit these cozy bars in NYC, especially if you are a book lover. Each of these bookish bars felt so warm and comforting and made a great place to hang out on cold winter afternoons in NYC. Perhaps I’ll see you at one and we can read together!

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