Food for Thought
Books in bars, and where to find them.
I’ve long had a dream – to open a book store that’s also a cafe, not exactly the most unique idea to be sure, but it speaks to two of my passions—reading and eating.
I’ve been a reader since I was small, a library kid, and still am now that I am, well, not small. I loved The Vulnerables, by Sigrid Nunez, a memoir-styled novel that’s essential reading if you’re a writer. Wellness, by Nathan Hill, who wrote The Nix, was also excellent. It’s ostensibly the story of a couple that traces them through decades, but it is much more than that. It’s about how we grow old and grow apart in relationships, but also about the way our own psychology turns us in certain directions, and the power of suggestion to make us feel the way we think we should. It was fascinating.
Right now, I am finishing The Bee Sting, by Paul Murray, a novel of a modern-day family of four living in a small town in Ireland. Each section of the book is narrated from a different member of the family. Secrets come out as each character takes their turn as narrator, but it’s the way we can feel like there is only one version of a story that is mined by this book. We are all living our own realities and heartbreaks, and many times no one, not even the people closest to us in our lives, has any clue.
Now, with books as our backdrop today, here are a few book-related food and drink bars to check out. Here’s to turning the page.
Porchlight’s Book Club
At least one Monday every month, Porchlight, a great cocktail bar and event space on the far West Side, hosts a Book Club series. For $25 you get an evening with a spirits/drinks author and two cocktails off a specially-curated menu. Ticket proceeds are donated to a charity of the author’s choice. Past Book Club guest authors include Toni Tipton-Martin, Ivy Mix, Robert Simonson, David Wondrich, Noah Rothbaum, Neal Bodenheimer, and Melissa Clark. So good folks!
Tonight you can meet acclaimed spirits journalist Aaron Goldfarb who’s bringing his new book Dusty Booze: In Search of Vintage Spirits to the Porchlight stage ahead of its March 5th debut. Dusty Booze adventures into the world of “Dusty Hunters,” AKA vintage spirit collectors, providing both an entertaining view of the unique subculture and a healthy dose of drinking culture history. Tickets available here.
Liz’s Book Bar to open on Smith Street
Next, there’s a new book bar opening on Smith Street in Cobble Hill from author Maura Cheeks (Acts of Forgiveness), who’s following in the footsteps of fellow author and Books are Magic owner Emma Staub. Hurray. This makes me so happy.
Liz’s Book Bar is slated to open at 315 Smith Street in June of this year, serving books, beer, wine and coffee. Liz, the bar’s namesake, is Maura's grandmother. “She used to take me to our local Borders every week and we would stay for hourssss,” Maura wrote on Instagram. “Or she would surprise me with more challenging books and watch as the light bulbs went off while I fell in love with them. She was sophisticated, the life of the party, and kind to everyone: Liz’s Book Bar will strive to be the same.”
Follow Liz’s Book Bar on Instagram for updates. Maura, I can’t wait!
Reading in Good Company and Cocktails with Reading Rhythms
Reading Rhythms is another cool experiential book-related party that you must check out. Maybe you read about it in the Times? It’s a book lover’s event that bills itself as “not a book club” but “a reading party.”
These reading-fueled evenings got started back in May, and now take place all over the city, in bars, hotels, parks, on rooftops and after-hours at book shops and thrift stores. All you do is show up with a book, commit to reading in 15 minute blocks, and then walk around, have a drink or two, and chat with strangers about what you’ve just read. How cool is that?
I am heading to the one on March 18th at Four, Five, Six. By then I think I’ll be reading Splinters, by Leslie Jamison, or maybe the latest from Anna Quindlin, “After Annie,” or perhaps Good Material by Dolly Alderton, if it comes off my hold list in time. Hope to see some of you there!
I’m devoting spring to books and bars - among other things! Timely!
Don't forget about Book Club Bar in the East Village! And there are also so many book bars upstate!