What to know
- Grand opening is June 27 and 28, starting at 10 a.m.
- Book Bar officially opens at 600 Markham St. this weekend, with grand opening events on June 27 and 28 starting at 10 a.m.
- The two-floor space combines books, coffee, wine, cocktails and cozy reading nooks.
- Founders Robin Storfer and Tom Freeman say the concept was inspired by kitchen-table gatherings with friends.
- The venue is designed as a “third place” where Torontonians can unplug, meet people and connect through books and conversation.
- Visitors can browse books, grab a drink or settle into one of the lounge-style spaces for solo reading or group discussion.
Toronto’s newest reading lounge is every book lover’s dream. Book Bar is filled with cozy corners, stacked with books, and offers fresh coffee or a glass of wine, all in one place.
Whether you’re visiting to discover a new book or talk about your latest read with a book club, Book Bar is the new place to sip and spill with old and new friends alike.
For this edition of NOW In The City, Now Toronto went to Book Bar’s media preview.
Book Bar’s grand opening weekend is June 27 and 28 at 10 a.m.
What to expect?
As you step through the doors, you’re immersed in a bookworm’s happy place.
Shelves and shelves of books are lined up against the wall, some on tables, and more on Book Bar’s second floor — with a secluded reading section, too.
There are also two bars, one on the first floor and another on the second.
Drink options range from coffee, lattes, wine, cocktails, and more.
What are the vibes?
Co-Founder Robin Storfer says she wants people to feel like they have come home.
“We want people to feel comfortable, engaged, interested, and that they can turn to their neighbour and have a conversation,” she told Now Toronto. “This is a non-judgmental place, fun, joy.”
Co-Founder Tom Freeman adds that the space invites exploration and discovery.
“As you walk around, you’ll see different nooks, different crannies, different colours, different textures. Every little room has something more for you, so we think it’s just going to be a fun place to explore,” he said.
What do the owners recommend drinking?
Storfer says you can never go wrong with a glass of wine alongside a good book.
“I’m more into wine when I read a book, so sometimes coffee, but mostly wine,” she told Now Toronto.
While Freeman says he’s pretty easy with his drink order, but it must be alcohol.
“It could be a cocktail, could be a cold beer, or could be a fine glass of wine. So I’m easy that way,” he said.
Aren’t there books online? Why go to a book bar?
Storfer says the book bar was inspired by her kitchen gatherings with friends.
“We spent a lot of time in my kitchen talking, sharing drinks and laughing,” she said.
“It’s really an extension of our kitchen table to Toronto,” Freeman added.
Freeman explains that books help spark conversation.
“It just seemed like an obvious relationship between a table and a book, a good drink and friendship in conversation,” Freeman said.
Storfer says talking about books helps people connect.
“There’s so much that you learn and connect over when you’re talking about a book. Then, when you add a drink or a common interest to that experience, you get a place where you feel welcome and known and engaged,” she said. “That’s how we felt in my kitchen island, and we wanted to bring that to this community.”
Storfer explained that she and Freeman have noticed a gap in the city for socializing post-COVID.
So, instead of reading a book at home, you can go outside and meet like-minded book lovers, too.
“There was kind of a gap in the city and pretty much across Canada where you could have this kind of experience and bring people together, get off screens, engage in conversation, create interesting events,” she said.
Visit Book Bar at 600 Markham St this weekend.
