Bars good for reading in?

Submitted by another-reddit-noob t3_10ctk8b in CambridgeMA

I’m looking for a bar that’s suitable for lone readers. Nice ambiance that people won’t look at me funny for sitting there with a book. I have a lot of books to read for my coursework and sometimes I like to change it up (and drink a beer).

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yeezypeasy t1_j4hrku1 wrote

I've seen plenty of people reading or doing work/studying at Lamplighter

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thebikelobby t1_j4l3fp1 wrote

My ex went to lamplighter and just worked all day multiple days a week. Hope you don’t run into her, but confirmed this is a good location for it

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ONTaF t1_j4hqzoa wrote

Thirsty Scholar or Plough & Stars (best if you go in the afternoon, not the evening)

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nattarbox t1_j4hu9vi wrote

Corner table at plough when it’s quiet and the heaters on is cozy af

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ONTaF t1_j4tbc4l wrote

That is my SPOT <3

&#x200B;

... maybe i shouldn't have said anything, don't want the joint to get too crowded...

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babar222 t1_j4ieusu wrote

Cambridge Common! Great beer selection, very chill, spacious bar area during off-peak hrs. I used to live across the street and miss it every day!

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weezerstan1 t1_j4itark wrote

Seconded, I've spent many a lunch eating and reading at CC

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dtmfadvice t1_j4hrj1s wrote

Most of them if you go off peak. Semolina over by Tufts is nice on a weekday afternoon. Harvest in Harvard square is nice for grownups. The Plough and Stars when they're not having music - the literary magazine Ploughshares was founded there.

Edit; oh and redemption in union square brews both coffee and beer. Good all day.

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devious_cruising t1_j4i3d8l wrote

By Peter O'Malley and his brother. Local urban legend is the Irish Republican Army moved guns through its basement.

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fab-lollies t1_j4hpitv wrote

I’d be down to read quietly in a bar with you, if you’d like some company. It sounds cozy and nice. I’ve had luck working at Lamplighter before?

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tendienuggies t1_j4hyerx wrote

I know this was to op, but I'd love to join! I usually work/read at cafes and this sounds like a neat alternative.

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OkAbbreviations2333 t1_j4igcrj wrote

Came to this subreddit literally to ask this (cafes close too early around here). I see a lot of options for during the day but what about at night? e.g. on a Wednesday or Sunday

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another-reddit-noob OP t1_j4iip6c wrote

i’ve also noticed that the coffee shops close early around here! i find it odd that a place with such a high student population doesn’t have any spots for coffee and studying in the evening! to the bar it is

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[deleted] t1_j4ijikf wrote

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another-reddit-noob OP t1_j4ixvku wrote

But if they were open at 6, 7, 8pm, I’d come in there and buy a coffee. I don’t see why that’s different than me coming in to buy one coffee at 10am and staying until 3 studying.

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coho_walkers t1_j4jd68j wrote

It’s very odd because in my college town (Davis, CA), some coffee shops stayed open very late — usually at least 8 p.m. — explicitly because students would stay somewhere late to study off-campus. I expected the same when I moved here and started grad school; that is, being able to study in a coffee shop in the evening. Granted my experience was pre-COVID so things may have changed back at Davis in the interim.

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another-reddit-noob OP t1_j4jlyp1 wrote

same at my undergrad (Ann Arbor, MI). majority of coffee places were open until around 8-10pm. i really assumed that was commonplace (at least in college towns)!

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lizbunz t1_j4l5z3v wrote

Andala Coffee House in Central Sq is a favorite for working, reading, etc and is open late

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lumberjock94 t1_j4i9qo9 wrote

Grendels den in the afternoon might be a good place for this.

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Ghostly_Feline t1_j4o32eh wrote

Even dinner time early/midweek is probably fine too, unless it’s much more busy than it used to be.

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smashey t1_j4hr9im wrote

During the day, there are a lot of good options. I used to do Cantab. Cellar might be good. Scholar is a good option too. Lots of good options.

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flyingguillotine3 t1_j4i35a9 wrote

Not helpful in this case but I lived in Seattle for a minute and there was a bar there that did monthly reading nights. $5 drinks. Sort of surprised no place has picked that up here.

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another-reddit-noob OP t1_j4i67x2 wrote

I spend a lot of time in Seattle — got family there. Do you happen to remember what it’s called?

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flyingguillotine3 t1_j4io8vk wrote

I don’t remember if the bar name is the same but I think it was at Hotel Sorrento. I went a few times and it was a nice change of pace, plus once the reading stretch ended you were among like-minded folks.

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Abismos t1_j4hovh5 wrote

Based solely off of the name, the Thirsty Scholar should accommodate this.

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SomervilleOak t1_j4ikikg wrote

If you do not mind Davis Square, Somerville, the downstairs bar at Redbones (called Underbones) was usually very quiet in the afternoons and early evenings. But I think it closed when the pandemic hit. Don't know if it reopened or will reopen. It had a huge beer selection on tap.

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twoodfin t1_j4j6vte wrote

The upstairs and bar are open but Underbones remains closed.

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SomervilleOak t1_j4m5g5p wrote

They probably don't yet have enough business. I'm sure they were hit hard by the pandemic. Underbones is actually a really neat place. I found the bar there to be like a hidden gem. I think most people just know the upstairs bar.

Thanks for updating me!

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Whatevrv_ t1_j4l28kp wrote

Shy Bird in Kendall is nice in the afternoon during winter it’s on the emptier side it has coffee and drinks and the food is very good. In the morning though it can be packed cause they serve brunch and breakfast. Good luck on your search mate :)

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oliviabecker95 t1_j4j6ls6 wrote

If you like wine, I’d recommend rebel rebel in Union in somerville, especially when it’s a little warmer to sit outside.

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Ranovex t1_j4javyr wrote

I'd second the recommendation for Plough and Stars! I've had some lovely conversations and book suggestions from bartenders there.

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jackass93269 t1_j4jzy8l wrote

Something you'll never hear anywhere else in the world!

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bostonKnitter t1_j4nsjo7 wrote

and/or hotel lounges/bars. those tend to be open very late.

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[deleted] t1_j4hoz3f wrote

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sweetdeepremiumonion t1_j4iaozy wrote

I don’t think this person is asking “which bar can I go to during peak hours to sprawl out with my books”. Very common thing to go to a bar or taproom and do some work or read.

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[deleted] t1_j4ij24e wrote

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sweetdeepremiumonion t1_j4isyqu wrote

Lol, I do work in a bar and see no issue with it. Your own personal dislikes aren’t representative of the whole industry.

Examples given here like The Thirsty Scholar and Lamplighter both open late morning/early afternoon which is a perfectly fine time to grab a beer and get some work done. Maybe lighten up a little and try it yourself 🤷🏽

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flyingguillotine3 t1_j4iyq9j wrote

I spent over a decade behind a bar and someone with a book in front of them was almost certainly a lesser headache and a greater tipper than those without. Not once did I ever have reason to take issue with someone because they pulled out a book.

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dtmfadvice t1_j4j61om wrote

Also anywhere Joe McGuirk is behind the bar, bring a book... But he might want to talk about it. He's a great bartender and reader. We've been drinking wherever he has been pouring for more than 20 years and he's never steered us wrong on a drink or book recommendation.

Also vote for him for city council next time he runs, he's a good dude.

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another-reddit-noob OP t1_j4jaohf wrote

no, i just wanna sit with a book in my hand at the bar. what’s the different between me sitting at the bar with my phone or with a book?

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