Portsmouth NH "Book & Bar"

Not much--I've heard that the same people behind the Book Mill in Montague, MA are the ones opening the much less cleverly named Book and Bar. I can't remember where I read that, though. But the Book Mill manages to combine a nice bookstore with a beautiful setting, and a short but very solid, rotating beer list. I hope to see the same with this place. I peeked in the door last weekend and they were starting to frame some new walls in the space, so it's coming along.

 

Living two blocks away, I frequently peer in the windows while walking the dog. They seem to be making some progress with construction- which is nice as this space has been unoccupied for quite some time now. I guess I don't really understand the business concept all that much though. What exactly is the business plan? Is this a book store with food/beer/wine/cocktails for sale as well? I can't imagine people are drinking or eating all that much while they are shopping for books- or reading quietly. With all of those beer and snack-covered fingers turning those book pages, I would imagine those books would be getting tarnished and suffering a decrease in sales value. What can the profit margin really be?

I like the idea of this. I like the idea of hanging out with some friends, drinking some good beer, having a snack, and doing some reading. I don't see myself, or others, actually buying a book though. But if someone does, what have they purchased in the meantime? What if people are coming in and buying a single beer or possibly two, sitting quietly for several hours, reading, and putting the book back on the shelf after they are done. Essentially treating it as a library. Yes they have a bought a beer (or maybe two) but it has been over a long time period. No real turnover.

I guess I am intrigued more than anything. Does anyone have a clear understanding or knowledge as to what is happening?

 

It really is a beautiful building, and the space inside looks great. I'm excited to see what they do with it.

There's a bit of information about their plans and background on their Facebook page:

I'm familiar with the Book Mill and the Raven bookstores, which are also very nice, where two of the owners have have previously been involved. Based on that, I think these guys know what they're doing with bookstores, and in the case of the Book Mill, with the cafe/bar component. At the Book Mill, the bookstore area is mostly separate from the cafe, though there are doors between the two. I'm imagining it would be something similar here. A bit different, but Tres Gatos in Jamaica Plain combines a restaurant/bar with a bookstore and record store. It seems to work well, so I imagine these guys will do something similar here. I just hope they have solid beer offerings.

 

This seems like it could be a cool place if you're into author readings/book signings and live music, but I fail to see how this appeals to BAs from a beer perspective. Nevertheless, one can only hope this is a better addition to downtown than the Thirsty Moose Taphouse, but I digress.

 

If the list is solid and the space works well, I think it could be a cool and unusual place to get a beer. If I can get a good beer while looking for a book, I know this country is on the right track.

I haven't been to the Thirsty Moose yet, but based on what I've heard and the photos I've seen, I'm not dying to try it. Once the bridge reopens, though, Black Birch will feel fairly close to downtown. And if the Station biergarten stepped up their list a bit, it could be a really great place for a beer--just need to switch out some of the lackluster and ubiquitous stuff, and it would jump near the top of my favorite places on the Seacoast.

 

You can't really go from the Book Mill as it is now, since it was sold about three years ago and it is the former owner along with his partners who is opening in Portsmouth.

Funny to see that - it's actually better under the new ownership, but from the perspective of a Book Advocate (TM), the books at the old Book Mill and Raven stores were strictly BMC (mostly discounted publisher's overruns), so you'd have to hope the food/beer and ambiance was nice. Barnes & Noble/Starbucks do OK with people buying a coffee and grabbing a $6 magazine or $25 book off the shelf, spending the afternoon reading it all (and maybe spilling coffee on it) then putting it back, but they make it up in volume. A 3,000 sq ft place can't. I suspect the books can really be considered decoration here for all intents and purposes.

 

I can't speak to the Book Mill, but I disagree with your description of the Raven. I've been going to the Raven in Harvard Square for years, and at least in the architecture section, they've got one of the best selections in Boston and have had since I've been going there. That said, I loved the BMC comparison, even if I disagree with it. And while I hope the books aren't mostly decoration in this place, the only thing that would really disappoint me is if the beer is.

This place could be great, it could be lousy, or probably more likely somewhere in between. But until they open and I can scope it out, I'm happy to give them the benefit of the doubt and reserve judgement for later.

 

Sounds like Book & Bar has opened, with an official opening party this coming Saturday.

It looks like there are eight taps--seven craft beers and a cider, at the moment--not bad for a bookstore.

And the space looks pretty cool inside. I'm looking forward to checking out in a couple weeks:

 

so can you go in, read books and drink a beer? Or is it like, you can have a beer while browsing for a book to buy? I guess I don't understand if it's a place to stay and hang out for a while, or if its primarily just a store that also sells a bit of food and drink.

 

Haven't been yet, so I can't say for sure, but my impression is that it's basically like all those old bookstores with a coffee shop, except that this one has booze. Given the profit on alcohol compared to books, I'm assuming they'd be happy to have people stay and hang out for awhile.

 

I love this idea. I've wanted to open a place like this... a place that takes the coffee shop atmosphere and adds craft beer to the mix. Can't wait to visit.

 

My girlfriend and I have joked about opening a place like this and calling it "Books on Tap". We are nerds.

 

Coffee is a stimulant and in theory gets one focused and engaged to read a book for a while and possibly order another coffee or food. Kudos to Barnes & Noble for working that angle. Beer is a depressant and in theory makes one want to flirt with someone or take a nap. In other words, reading a book while drinking a beer(s) is the wrong combination. Nevertheless, the atmosphere seems chill from posted photo, so I'll give it a shot (sans book).

 

I've been looking for a nice place to drink alone.

 

I really don't think it's such an odd idea. Bookstores are having an increasingly hard time staying open, so this seems like an attempt to change the model a bit, and I'm sure the margin on alcohol and food will help them offset the much lower margin on books. NHPR actually just did a piece on them, and one of the owners talks about the model:

Either way, I'm looking forward to checking them out next time I'm in town. And with four breweries and at least three bookstores in a town of barely 20,000, Portsmouth is sounding more and more like my kind of place.

 

Sooo, what's wrong with home?

 

Two important points to clarify (plus an invite):

1) The beers have been VERY carefully chosen to appeal to knowledgeable palates (within ridiculous NH regulation limits, ie; no Pretty Things...), so I would imagine any "BA-type" would at least enjoy the selection.

2) The books are also very carefully selected and generously priced. There is good reason that Raven Used Books (Newbury St. Boston and Harvard Sq) have won awards in the few short years they have been open. The owner is maniacal about getting high quality scholarly books at consumer-friendly prices.
The model may confuse some of you, but I would urge you to try it out before going overboard with some of the nonsensical speculation I have seen on this thread.

Though the shop/cafe is currently open, there is an opening party this Saturday night (12/8), so come check it out for yourself and see what you think!

 

def a great place. but when i was there, a smutty was 7 bucks a pop. so for me? not so much. we don't even pay that much in boston. great for books though. . .

 

i retract the above. i was informed by one of the owners that my 7 dollar smutty was a mistake owing to first day jitters. smutty finest kind is 4.50 a pint!! i'll be there often! great selection of books as well!