The Best Bookstores in Philadelphia & the Best Bars Near Them, Vol. 1

Photo by Drink Philly

With summer on its way out and crisp fall weather around the corner, we wanted to celebrate some of our favorite pairings–booze and books! We’ve rounded up some of the best bookstores in Philadelphia and the perfect spot to grab a drink after with your new finds.

A very special thank you to Eric Smith for helping with these recommendations, and don’t forget to join him for the annual Philly Bookstore Crawl on Saturday, August 23rd!

Fishtown

Photo by Rob Rabena, Visit Philly

BOOKS: Harriet's Bookshop
This beloved Black-owned bookshop has made waves thanks to shop owner Jeannine Cook, who beat the odds after the shop’s grand opening in early 2020. From delivering books on horseback during the pandemic to hosting Will Smith’s book release party and raising money to send local students to Paris, Harriet’s Bookshop has quickly become a Philadelphia institution. Their shelves are stocked with work from women authors, artists, and activists.
(258 E Girard Ave)

BARS: R&D
Just down the block, you’ll find R&D, a swanky cocktail bar with retro vibes and ever-changing drink menus. Here you’ll find a variety of experimental cocktails, twists on the classics, and even some tiki drinks complete with the appropriate glassware. If you’re lucky enough to make happy hour, grab a stool and enjoy $7 select cocktails, $4 High Life, and assorted bites for $5.
(1206 Frankford Ave)

BARS: Next of Kin
If you’re in the mood for a more laid-back vibe, continue down Frankford to Next of Kin. This cozy neighborhood bar may not be pretentious, but they take their cocktails seriously. Choose from their selection of classics like the Clover Club, or try their espresso martini made with nitro coffee. Don’t forget to grab a snack from the vending machine!
(1414 Frankford Ave)

Photo via H&H Books

BOOKS: The Head & The Hand (H&H) Books
A few more blocks down Frankford is the nonprofit publisher and bookstore, H&H. Among their stock are both new and used titles, as well as a large section dedicated entirely to local writers. In addition to the shop, H&H has also published over 100 authors from student-written chapbooks to full-length manuscripts.
(2230 Frankford Ave)

BARS: Meetinghouse
If you’re seeking a pub vibe after snagging some work by local authors, take a stroll down the street to Meetinghouse. Enjoy some airy outdoor seating and treat yourself to a cold draft or a classic cocktail. They also have a hearty food menu featuring hot roast beef sandwiches, baked clams, and crab dip.
(2331 E Cumberland St)

BARS: Mural City Cellars
Prefer to cozy up with a glass of wine? Head south to Mural City Cellars and grab a seat on one of their many comfortable chairs. Try a glass of one of their house wines, or try something a bit off the beaten path, like their Pet-Nat Rosé–a sparkling wine with notes of strawberries and blood orange.
(1831 Frankford Ave)

Old City

Photo by Drink Philly

BOOKS: Brave New Worlds
If comic books and graphic novels are more your speed, look no further than Brave New Worlds. This local institution has been going strong for over 30 years, thanks to its incredible selection of comics, toys, and collectibles in the heart of Old City. Whether you’re into the classics or want to pick up something new, you’ll find it here.
(55 N 2nd St)

BARS: Glory Beer Bar
Take your stack of comics and second-hand finds around the corner to Glory for a cold beer with vinyl spinning in the background. Choose from their 36 rotating taps featuring local, seasonal, and international selections and kick back with your new reads.
(126 Chestnut St)

BARS: 48 Record Bar
If you’re out in the evening after your book hunt, don’t miss 48 Record Bar. This cocktail lounge and listening room is inspired by audiophile bars in Japan and caters to the serious enthusiast. Choose from their extensive list of unique craft cocktails like the Snap Pea Martini with snap pea-infused vodka, or the Bob Barrett’s Breakfast with fat-washed whiskey.
(48 S 2nd St)

Photo by Drink Philly

BOOKS: The Book Trader
Just down the street is where Philly’s used book lovers have been spending hours of their time for decades. If you’re a real aficionado, you know a visit to the Book Trader can be an all-day affair, with titles chaotically stacked to the ceiling and that familiar smell of aged paper in the air. It’s truly everything you could want out of a bookstore, including a resident cat named Dr. Abraham Horatio Pickles. Yes, he has a PhD.
(7 N 2nd St)

BARS: Forsythia
Seeking a more airy bistro vibe? Swing by Forsythia for twists on classic cocktails and outdoor seating. Try their tomato-infused Maison Martini, or enjoy their “Old Fashion” (a house riff on the Old Fashioned) with Cara Cara and house bitters. Don’t forget to grab a spot at the bar if you want to partake in their happy hour, complete with elevated bar snacks from their French-inspired kitchen.
(233 Chestnut St)

Chestnut Hill

Photo via Multiverse

BOOKS: Multiverse
Next time you’re strolling through Chestnut Hill, be sure to check out Multiverse. This store specializes in what they call “curated nerd stuff” with a special focus on speculative fiction. Think comic books and graphic novels in the sci-fi and fantasy realm. And like any good comic book store, they also have a selection of toys, games, and collectibles.
(8026 Germantown Ave)

BARS: Cider Belly
Just down the block is Cider Belly, a super cozy small-batch cidery and tasting room. Enjoy some of their craft ciders paired with small plates or a “nibble board” of meats and cheeses. Don’t forget to try one of their unique cider cocktails like the Lady Grey made with Earl Grey cider, gin, honey water, lavender syrup, lemon, and thyme.
(8005 Germantown Ave)

Queen Village

Photo by Drink Philly

BOOKS: Head House Books
Just a stone’s throw from South Street you’ll find Head House Books, an independently owned bookstore with a diverse selection for readers of all ages. Be sure you check out their event calendar and book clubs after you’re done perusing the shelves!
(619 S 2nd St)

BARS: Bloomsday Restaurant & Wine Bar
When you work up a thirst, make your way to the heart of Head House Square for natural wines and bites at Bloomsday. In addition to their variety of reds, whites, and rosés, they also have a variety of vermouths and unique cocktails. Whether you order by the glass or select something from the bottle shop, you’ll be sure to find something to please your palate.
(414 S 2nd St)

Photo by Drink Philly

BOOKS: Brickbat Books
The curated selection of titles at Brickbat is all about quality over quantity. Intimate and cozy, the shelves are stacked with gently used books ranging from visual art to children’s books and vinyl records. They even have a section of rare books that are always worth gazing at in awe.
(709 S 4th St)

BARS: Southwark Restaurant
Take your find down around the corner and crack it open with a drink at Southwark. This Queen Village institution is known for expertly crafted libations made by some of the city’s best bartenders, and the cozy tavern vibe is the perfect spot to bring a book. Order up your favorite classic or choose from their list of house cocktails.
(701 S 4th St)

BARS: Cry Baby Pasta
If you’re in the mood for a cozy Italian vibe, make your way down the street to Cry Baby Pasta for a glass of wine or one of their unique cocktails. Keep it light with the Don’t Cry, Be Bitter Spritz with Luxardo, gin, citrus cordial, and tonic. Or, go savory with the Jiggery Pokery made with olive oil vodka, vermouth, and olive leaf liquor. They also have one of the largest selections of amaro in Philadelphia.
(627 S 3rd St)

Midtown

Photo by Egg Still

BOOKS: Giovanni's Room
The oldest LGBTQ bookstore in Philadelphia was founded in 1973 and has since partnered with Philly AIDS Thrift to keep the business alive. The sprawling two-story space specializes in queer and feminist literature along with a variety of art, music, clothing, housewares, and tchotchkes. Be sure to check out their event calendar while you’re there!
(345 S 12th St)

BARS: Vedge
Make your way north for vegan bites and beverages at Vedge. Their menu of flora-forward experimental cocktails includes flavors like green pepper, chayote pickle, fennel, and rhubarb. Vedge also offers a curated selection of natural wines and beer on draft.
(1221 Locust St)

BARS: Kiddo
Another veggie-friendly option nearby with a great bar is Kiddo. Focused on sustainability and seasonal ingredients, Kiddo’s menus celebrate the local produce that Pennsylvania has to offer. Their house cocktails include a few twists on the classics, like the Man’s in Fashion with bourbon and apple cider vermouth, as well as some truly experimental drinks like the Matcha Berry with butterfly pea tequila, fennel, and acidified white wine.
(1138 Pine St)

East Passyunk

Photo via A Novel Idea

BOOKS: A Novel Idea
This store is unrivaled in its heart and soul. A total gem of Passyunk, A Novel Idea is a community-focused bookstop with a passion for local authors of all ages and genres. Check out their events and book club–especially if you have a witchy side.
(1726 E Passyunk Ave)

BARS: Supérette
Take a stroll down the Ave and settle up to the counter at Supérette for a drink and a snack. This French bistro-inspired spot has the perfect view of the Singing Fountain, and the bottle shop is stocked with a variety of wines to suit any preference. Choose from a selection of French snacks from the market or build your own charcuterie board.
(1538 E Passyunk Ave)

BARS: Fountain Porter
If a vinyl soundtrack is more your vibe, make your way to Fountain Porter for a laid-back neighborhood vibe and great tunes. Their tap list is always rotating and offers a variety of local brews and imports. Just don’t get $6 burger grease on your new books.
(1601 S 10th St)

Bella Vista

Photo by Drink Philly

BOOKS: Molly's Books & Records
Nestled in the Italian Market behind a mosaic façade, Molly’s Books & Records is another shop you can lose hours in. Small, books, records, CDs, and vintage magazines are stacked in every available corner. While they carry a variety of genres, where Molly’s really shines is in their selection of cookbooks. Any cuisine or niche you can think of, you will find a cookbook about it in their back room.
(1010 S 9th St)

BARS: Alice
Continue north on Christian for drinks and bites at Alice, a cozy American restaurant with excellent cocktails. Choose from their list of small plates for a snack and peruse their drink menu. Their curated wine list offers several varietals, and their cocktails celebrate classic flavors in new form. Make sure you try their spin on the Clover Club–the Ruby Club with gin, chartreuse, rhubarb, raspberry, and egg white.
(901 Christian St)

BARS: Grace & Proper
If the European cafe vibe is more your speed, head down to Grace & Proper for unpretentious drinks in a comfortable atmosphere. Grab some caffeine to fuel your reading session, or treat yourself to one of their unique cocktails like the Saudade do Mar with singani, pisco, Violette, egg white, and Peruvian bitters.
(941 S 8th St)

Fairmount

Photo by Drink Philly

BOOKS: Bookhaven
This seven-room bookshop in Fairmount offers a large selection of used books from all genres, including art, history, and more. Don’t be afraid to lose yourself in the stacks of titles, and be sure to say hello to the shop cats!
(2202 Fairmount Ave)

BARS: Bar Hygge
The keyword is cozy at Bar Hygge. In addition to plenty of outdoor seating and a great happy hour, they also offer a variety of their own beer from their in-house brewery. Styles vary from a clean, Czech-style Pilsner (Daily Pils) to a funky Belgian-style session Farmhouse ale. Their cocktail list also offers a variety of libations, like an Old Fashioned that changes with the seasons.
(1720 Fairmount Ave)

BARS: Honeysuckle
The living room at Honeysuckle is basically begging for a book and a cocktail. Have a seat on the couch and order snacks and sips from their à la carte menu. One of the biggest standouts includes the decadent Black Cake milk punch with Bajan and Demerara rums, Kenyan chai tea, cashew milk, and red sorghum amazake orgeat with nutty bitters. Be sure to ask about their in-house fermenations.
(631 N Broad St)

Graduate Hospital

Photo via Neighborhood Books

BOOKS:Neighborhood Books
Behind an unassuming storefront on South Street sits a shop housing over 25,000 volumes of used books. Neighborhood Books keeps a variety of genres including the arts, fiction, history books, and children’s novels. They also have a selection of science and medical titles for the neighborhood medical students to peruse.
(1906 South St)

BARS: Loco Pez
Bring your finds around the corner to Loco Pez and cozy up to the bar for $8 classic margaritas and a selection of taqueria-style snacks. Build your own sampler of a few of their 10 types of tacos, or just kick back with some chips, salsa, and a cold Tecate.
(700 S 20th St)

BARS: Pub & Kitchen
Bright and energetic as ever, Pub & Kitchen’s expansive bar and classic bar menu are the perfect end to a long day of book buying–especially if you can catch happy hour. Enjoy $10 Old Fashioneds and $4 Kenwood lagers, plus a variety of pub snacks like fried pickles, deviled eggs, or their tuna crudo for $10 each. And be sure to check out their extensive whiskey seleciton, one of the best in town.
(1946 Lombard St)

Do you think we missed anything? Let us know your favorite bookstore and bar combination on Instagram for Volume 2.