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    First Draft Book Bar

    4.5 (149 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    First Draft Book Bar Photos

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    FIRST DRAFT BOOK BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Hipster
    Trendy
    Casual

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    Recommended Reviews - First Draft Book Bar

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    Adrienne C.

    Went here on a Saturday afternoon and it was packed! I love that there is parking across the street. The inside is big and there's plenty of new and used books to choose from. I sat at the bar and for a girl with the dragoon tattoo mimosa and pretzel. I paid for a side of cheese. The pretzel and drink were great. The cheese and mustard that came with the pretzel were not the best. There is plenty of seating just past the bar. Staff is nice. The vibes are great. You can browse with drink in hand. This is like my dream place. Might be a once per week stop for me.

    Franken matcha
    April G.

    The spooky drink menu was still up so I ordered the Franken Matcha, iced. It tastes pretty good. Service was quick and efficient.

    Emma N.

    I came across this place on accident the other day when I was trying find a different coffee shop, and I'm so glad I did! It is located in the Newton plaza, which also has some other restaurants around. Parking is available, but it's not a huge lot. This book store had a wide variety of books as well as gifts, and other unique items. They also have a bar that serves coffee drinks and alcoholic drinks. There was a cooler with seltzers and beer for purchase too! I tried the Bluberry Matcha for Sal and it was delicious! They make their own syrups and the blueberry one was very tasty. Definitely on the sweeter side, I would probably ask for less syrup next time, but so delicious! Mia was very helpful, and also let me sample the White Mocha Latte Ale they had on draft. It was very unique and flavorful. I also talked to Peter at the Changing Hands area of the store and learned about their book buy back program. I'm thrilled to have learned about this spot and can't wait to come back soon! Highly highly recommend!

    Heidi M.

    First Draft Book Bar inside Changing Hands in Central Phoenix is honestly one of my favorite spots. It's the best of both worlds for us book nerds --you can sip on a glass of wine or a cold beer while browsing through an amazing selection of books and cool gifts. Whether you're there for a book event or just stopping in to look around, it's the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the atmosphere.

    Event board for trivia - Every first and third Sunday 5pm-7pm
    Haley B.

    I had the London fog latte which was pretty good. I do wish it was cozier inside to enjoy it though, the seating was limited.

    Matcha Latte
    Sarah E.

    Drinks and food were all solid. The highlight was the pretzel though, it was really delicious.

    Iced green tea
    Corey N.

    Been here twice visiting friends in the area ('m from another state) and feel in love with this place immediately. Great concept and will implemented. Affixed to the Changing Hands book store, this has a bar and other drinks and treats. A pleasure to enjoy a chat or a read while getting a beverage in this room seating area or at the bar. I'll be back every time I am in town!

    College Street Beauregarde
    Brandon D.

    Really fun bookstore with a bar inside. Enjoyed perusing the stacks and enjoying a cold one! Friendly staff and really great vibe.

    The Great Gatsby Sandwich with fruit

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    8 years ago

    This was a really cool find. I only had coffee, but I can definitely see this being one of my daytime hangouts.

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    9 years ago

    I love to come here in between appointments and just browse or, in the winter, sit by the fire and read!

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    10 years ago

    This place is fantastic! I always have a nice time. Friendly people that rememer your name and keep it real.

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    11 years ago

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    Info C.

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    Page 4 of 4

    Ask the Community - First Draft Book Bar

    Review Highlights - First Draft Book Bar

    Then went one evening after going to an event at Changing Hands and had two glasses of different wines.

    Mentioned in 13 reviews

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    Poisoned Pen A Mystery Book Store - Author event with Chuck Wendig

    Poisoned Pen A Mystery Book Store

    4.4(109 reviews)
    8.6 mi
    $$

    I love this bookstore! Small and intimate but chock full of wonderful books, both signed and…read moreunsigned. I have met several of my favorite authors there: Michael Connelly, Robert Dugoni, C J Box, the late Thomas Perry, as well as a new author that I really like, Nick Petrie. Barbara, the owner, is the ultimate hostess and interviewer. She has nurtured so many authors as well as following their careers. Books are usually not priced, just sold for whatever is listed on the back jacket. However, they do have a couple of seasonal sales. I would totally recommend this bookstore to anyone visiting downtown Scottsdale!

    Truly a cute little bookstore-cozy, charming, and the kind of place you want to wander through for…read morea while. Patrick, who helped us, was amazing and super engaging. Being from the Midwest, we ended up in a lighthearted, fun conversation about Fargo, which made the visit feel even more welcoming at first. Unfortunately, that experience shifted pretty quickly. During our conversation, the owner came up and told us she could hear us from the back of the store and that we needed to keep it down because a workshop was going on. Fair enough, but it was the delivery that was surprising. She explicitly said, "Because I own the bookstore, I can be rude." That comment really changed the tone. It felt like casual conversation (even a little laughter) wasn't welcome (unless participating in the workshop, by all means join workshop after Happy Hour and be rambunctious while customers are shopping.) The atmosphere suddenly shifted to less inviting and I wished I didn't spend my money. It's disappointing, because the space itself and interactions with staff like Patrick are genuinely great. I just wish the overall experience matched the charm of the bookstore.

    Photos
    Poisoned Pen A Mystery Book Store
    Poisoned Pen A Mystery Book Store - Cool outdoor lights

    Cool outdoor lights

    Poisoned Pen A Mystery Book Store

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    Books - Lots of Christmas stories!

    Books

    4.6(36 reviews)
    4.2 mi
    $

    I am usually not in this area a lot, but my daughter & I wanted to go check out this bookstore for…read moresome used books so we took the drive down. When we arrived, I realized I remembered this spot from when I was a kid, I just hadn't been back since I was younger. This spot is absolutely STUFFED with books, comic books, VHS tapes and more. You could spend quite a long time wandering around looking at all of the books they have to offer. It can be slightly overwhelming especially if you are looking for something specific as there wasn't really any clear guidance on where to find certain sections. We still had a lot of fun though wandering around and seeing what we could find. If you are looking for the prices, they are written in pencil on the inside of the books. You can find a mixture of mostly used books along with some new books. They have a cute shop cat that you can sometimes spot wandering around, or asleep at the front. The woman who was working the register the day we visited was friendly! They also had a cart out-front with a number of books that were free to grab. There is plenty of parking out-front.

    Found this little gem in Phoenix last week when I was on the hunt for a used copy of Song of…read moreSolomon. I called and they said they have the 1984 edition for $6, which was a great price. Once I was got to the store, I had to explore. I think that if one were to regularly visit Books, he/she would find some rare editions and other gems. Also, they had what looked like reproductions of banned book announcements posted around the store: all were of classic novels that we can't imagine not having access to as students. (See photos: Charlotte's Web, Huck Finn, Fahrenheit 451...) They were quite entertaining, in a disturbing way. They had the effect of making me feel so grateful that past efforts of censorship in the US had failed. In 2024, this is still a real threat. Tiny stores like this one are real treasures. Let's keep them in business.

    Photos
    Books
    Books - They have volumes of medical textbooks as well!

    They have volumes of medical textbooks as well!

    Books - Entrance

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    Entrance

    Bookmans Entertainment Exchange - Goodies in every nook and cranny

    Bookmans Entertainment Exchange

    3.8(304 reviews)
    3.3 mi
    $

    Well-behaved dogs allowed! Once it gets too hot to bring our fur baby to the farmers market, going…read moreto a Bookmans may become our new Saturday morning outing! A really great selection of all kinds of books, music, video games, and more! Everything here is community-based, with the exception of selections here and there that are brand-new. So a nice way to support buying secondhand items from Phoenix folks, being more sustainable and supporting a smaller business, and overall just a good spot to come explore! I've found lots of cool vintage magazines, vintage video games, some vinyls, and a number of books here on 19th. I definitely recommend this location!

    How haven't a written a review of this place!…read more I love an establishment that presents itself as a home for the community. I walk in to Bookman's and often find displays that are Arizona focused in a way that makes you feel and know this place is home town friendly. No big box impersonal feels here! I frequent this store and stop in just because I'm passing by. As an avid reader, I read about 50 books a year, Bookman's is a great place to buy paper books at a cheaper price. My favorite part about local shops like Bookman's is how they don't shy away from displaying banned books all year long! I have to read at least one banned books a month! There's gotta be something in the banned books they don't want us to know and I'm determined to read as many as possible. Interestingly enough, this store is full of "entertainment treasures" too. Music, musical instruments and even gaming equipment can be purchased here. The only thing missing is a social lounge with a coffee bar. We'd probably go even more often if there were a coffee bar inside. Return Factor: 100%

    Photos
    Bookmans Entertainment Exchange - Sci-fi section

    Sci-fi section

    Bookmans Entertainment Exchange - Music/instruments

    Music/instruments

    Bookmans Entertainment Exchange - Puzzles on this wall, but don't let this small photo fool ya, Bookmans dedicates an entire 12x20 section for puzzles, games, cards, etc..

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    Puzzles on this wall, but don't let this small photo fool ya, Bookmans dedicates an entire 12x20 section for puzzles, games, cards, etc..

    Dog-Eared Pages

    Dog-Eared Pages

    4.4(45 reviews)
    9.5 mi
    $

    I don't want to gatekeep but I DO want to gatekeep. This is the best used bookstore in North…read morePhoenix. And it's not because of the selection of books. It's because the two old guys that are some of the most wonderful fellas I've ever met. They know where everything is and what they do and don't have in stock. I spent 2 hours in this store, part of the time browsing books and the other time just chatting with the fellas. Now, the best part is I am a romance girly and they have $1.00 Romance books!!! I bought 17 books today. 15 were Romance! They have thousands of books and a sitting area ANNDDDDD 2 cute dogs that are in store that will ask for belly rubs. Whatttttt!?!?!? This was an amazing visit to the bookstore and they definitely found a forever customer in me because I will most certainly be back! Probably on a weekly basis.

    Popped in today to buy some books as a bday treat to myself. You know a spot is gonna be great when…read moreyou are greeted by two dogs that smile at you. This spot truly is an indie bookstore, there is a little bit of nostalgia here and of course books. I love hole in the wall indie book stores. There aren't a lot of them out there so I get excited when I find one. I read a mix of genres. In the horror section I saw that they had a Dean Koontz special. I've always wanted to read his work and this felt like the perfect time to start. I bought my first Koontz books today because of this store. I will be back especially for the dogs and the great prices.

    Photos
    Dog-Eared Pages
    Dog-Eared Pages
    Dog-Eared Pages

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    First Draft Book Bar - bookstores - Updated May 2026

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