The fine folks behind Emmaus, PA's Tap and Table just opened a new bar on Bethlehem's south side, The Bookstore Speakeasy. The Bookstore takes over the space previously occupied by Element, which lasted less than two years. Judging by their MySpace page, I honestly have no idea why that could have been.
The Bookstore, a 20's-style pub could come off gimmicky, but it's the real deal (save for the lack of mob beer and prohibition). The basement-level entrance is a plain, gray door with "BOOKSTORE" painted on, and leads to a small room packed with books on everything from "Sex Without Fear" to a 1955 anthology of US wetlands.
Pushing past a double curtain, the speakeasy is a small but plush barroom with dark wood furnishing and gas lamps on each table. The menu is pasted into the front pages of weathered hardcovers and a small chalkboard behind the bar lists their six taps.
When my group stumbled in, a three-piece band was playing hot jazz while the singer channeled Louis Armstrong through an antique microphone. A few couples danced in the limited floor space and soon enough our waitress was bring beer and slabs of cheese.
The atmosphere is smart, yet comfortable and the beer list covers enough ground to keep snobs and their unenlightened friends (approachable beers but nothing trashy) happy. Personally, this is the sort of bar I could stay in until sunrise.
29 comments:
I am VERY disappointed to say the least with The Bookstore. Excited about the potential to have access to a classy yet laid back waterhole with character stood out among the vast amount of college typical bars around the Lehigh Valley. I went with a friend on 11-28-09, a thin blond asked if she may help us, when we asked if we could come into the bar she asked us to wait while she “looked”. She came back and stated that they are filled to capacity and to have us come back in 45 minutes and try again. I asked if we could get our names in, she stated that it was a first come/first serve basis. While exiting the Bookstore and walking to our car, 6 more people (two separate groups) went into the Bookstore and did not come back out. I went back in with my friend just as all 6 individuals were allowed access into the bar. When the blond asked us again if she could help us were told that they were still at full capacity. When she was questioned as to why the prior 6 were allowed in her response was they had tables. I asked her to confirm that it was a first come/first serve basis to which she said yes. She then followed it up with “Just try again in 45 minutes.”
It is hard to determine why my friend and I were not part of the “cool” crowd. Could it be because I was not a tall drink of water or because my friend was not GQ material, I am not sure. Either way I am certain that the sour taste in my mouth from such discrimination and brush off will not permitted me from exploring the prospects that could have been The Bookstore.
Sorry to hear that you didn't have a great experience (esp now that I have read the same dismal review of yours for the third time on different blogspots)... but honestly, I think your reaction is a bit over-zealous and full of sour grapes.
I can say quite comfortably that they by no means discriminate amongst their clientele... that is the entire philosophy behind the speakeasy...and if you ever could bring yourself to go back I think you would come to grips with it ad you would be able to see that by seeing the diverse crowd inside...
It is honestly quite incredible to see a mix of older folks, college students, and young professionals all come together. It is a truly unique attribute to the Valley.
Lets face it... its a small place, and it has a lot of hype right now. Just because you didn't get in doesn't mean you have to go on some crusade to sabotage something that is really a blessing to the Southside... for it is something like this that will encourage entrepreneurs to open more restaurants, which will bring more retail and shopping, which will bring more residents, which will clean up the town.
The South Side is once again starting to gasp back to life. It is exciting.
I feel like if I was going on a campaign to sabotage something and leave negative blog posts all over the internet....
I would at least check them for spelling and grammatical errors.
Having said that, I'm going to the bookstore for the first time tonight. I've been to 'tap and table' several times and I have high hopes.
The bill for my wife and I, with tip was 131.00. Each 4 course plate is $35.00, but portions are tiny. My wife's chicken (which were legs) tasted as if they were soaked in brine any my lamb chops were extremely tough. The drinks were $11.00 each. The menu is limited to only a few selections and the food is mediocre.
The basic ingredient for a restaurants survival is the repeat customer. I doubt this place will having staying power very long at all. The atmosphere is okay, but the novelty wears off quick. The bar was crowded, perhaps it can survive as a bar, but certainly not for it's food. 1 1/2 stars.
I am sorry to add another just OK review. The beer selection was great, the food leaves a lot to be desired and is pricey. Their other place, Tap and Table blows it out of the water. I consider myself a foodie and beer enthusiast and this place just is too themed out and trying too hard IMHO.
It is intriguing to read the diverse blog posts pertaining to the Bookstore in Bethlehem. There is a wide variety of opinions and understanding of what the owners are trying to accomplish. The Bookstore concept is highly specialized and advanced for the Lehigh Valley. It offers products no one else does. Frankly, I am personally thrilled the valley now offers something different then the same mundane sports/college bar or stereotypical modern restaurant. When I read reviews bashing the bookstore it makes me realize that many people are content with the same old establishments offering the same old products. This is fine, I just find it surprising.
Being well versed with a number of the hardcore cocktail/speakeasy joints in NYC (Milk and Honey, Little Branch, Flatiron Lounge, Dutch Kills...) I can attest that the Bookstore is right on par! In fact, their methodology with their cocktail construction, from hand chipped ice to fresh squeezed juices to glassware to liqueurs to garnishes is spot on! The cocktails they are offering cannot be found anywhere else outside of the Philly or NYC areas.
Now, being more of a beer guru than a cocktail guru, I am floored by their bottle list and draft list. They promote themselves as a cocktail joint, but their beers are unbelievable. Many of the brews on their list are rare and obscure, and difficult to track down. Most of them are different, too, then the 200+ bottles they have at their other restaurant, Tap and Table. Their draft line up (6) is always featuring one off specialty brews, often times more unique then what they have on draft at tap and table! When I read posts about "high" beer prices, I have to chuckle. Their prices are very reasonable, taking into account how expensive cases and kegs are of the beer they buy. If you really know your beer, you'd be floored by their list.
The food offered is also very unique to the valley. They have a cheese list of 10 different cheeses, I believe they are all from Murray's in NYC. They offer small snacks such as a large pickle, seasoned almonds, chickpea popcorn, etc... They also offer more gourmet sandwiches like a foie gras sandwich, kobe and lamb burger, etc... The most unique aspect of their food program is the 4-course meal you can get from 5-9 for only $35 dollars! The dishes offered seem to always be VERY unique...tripe, squid ink, rabbit, prawns, etc...
Let's not forget the live 1920's hot jazz music they have every weekend! They completed the scene for me!
Amazing cocktails, amazing beer, amazing food, amazing music...ALL UNDER ONE ROOF!
One last note about the first post on this blog. Perhaps the 6 people that walked in after you and got in had a reservation for dinner? As far as I know, the Bookstore does reservations for the dinner hour but NOT cocktails. Given the diverse crowd I've seen on the inside I can't imagine them picking who they want to come in based on looks. That thought is a little silly. The Bookstore is a 1920s speakeasy, not an ultra-modern, pretentious night club.
Cheers!
We spent an evening at the Bookstore only to find that the atmosphere is much too dark and too loud to enjoy the music. The 4 course meal was sparse in size with less than desireble choices. FInally the quality of the food left us with no desire to return. This Speakeasy concept is a great idea for the Lehigh Valley but lacks in execution.
Northampton visitors.
Firstly, from what I can tell, the "discrimination" guy, more likely than not, asked if they could sit at the bar. Perhaps not in those exact words, but whatever he said, it gave the hostess the notion that they wanted to sit at the bar. Obviously they don't have reserved seating at the bar so she informed them it was full and they should try back later because, as is standard operating procedure, you can't promise bar seats.
He also went on 11/28/09, which was a Saturday, meaning that all of the tables had been reserved already due to the music that was inevitably going on, so essentially this gentlemen and his friends shit the bed on this one.
-- The Bookstore is, in one word, phenominal. The drinks are authentic to the most minute detail, the food is exquisite, the music is amazing (and period-specific), and the atmosphere is warm and relaxing.
The bartenders are true gentlemen, are a wealth of knowledge about the drinks they serve and the history behind them, and they are perfectly attentive to each customer.
As most of my trips there have been to the bar, I have had limited exposure to the wait staff, but on the off occasion that I do get a table, I have experienced nothing but courtesy and prompt service.
I live approximately one hour from this establishment and I would gladly drive further if I had to. It is truly something you must experience and I will continue to go there as often as possible.
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