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    Rough Draft Bar & Books

    4.6 (189 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Rough Draft Bar & Books Photos

    Business Info

    ROUGH DRAFT BAR & BOOKS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Good for kids
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Rough Draft Bar & Books

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    Alice W.

    What a cute bookshop! There's a wide variety of books here - literally every genre represented. There's also a table featuring local authors. In addition to all the wonderful books, they have a café and bar here so you can drink tea/coffee or get some alcohol. There's plenty of seating too, and they let you read books here as if it were a library! I had a matcha latte and it was divine. Super cozy, and people mind their own business which I appreciate.

    Amanda L.

    The baklava pinwheel is the suggested snack to get here. It doesn't disappoint. This cozy book shop/bar/coffee shop is a Kingston staple on a historic cross street it holds history, endless character and unique cozy time. I would recommend popping by just to browse or grab a drink. There's a few small places to hang out. It's kid friendly and very charming for a one on one friend hang out or date night. Parking is on the street and there are sidewalks.

    Alec T.

    Every guy has a ponytail and every girl has a buzz cut, but that's the allure and magic of the place. You come here and you know what you're walking into. Warm, comfy, hipster-collegiate vibes. These people know how to brew a f**king cup of coffee, let me tell you. I love that the playfulness with the ingredients in making niche coffee flavors actually works. The drinks I had were exactly what I needed on a cold day. I'm obsessed that the place is essentially a used book library that you can either hang out in and read, or go in and purchase the books to own. LOVE that they have a community/local book club that meets up to hang out. Perfect place to grab a beer, grab a book, sip on some coffee and hang out with friends. Definitely recommend

    Merch
    Tiffany L.

    I wish we had something like this closer to the city, but I will take what I can get! If I owned a bookstore, I would love to have something similar to this place, because they serve great drinks and they have a very cozy bookstore environment. I tried a new seasonal drink on my most recent visit, which was delicious (one of my friends thought it was too sweet though). It was called The Fig Sleep and had hojicha tea, fig, black sesame and your choice of milk (I got oat). I got mine hot and it was so good, but I would say it was definitely heavier on the black sesame flavor. They also have a good amount of seating inside, and when I visited in September, they had outdoor seating available as well. There's also some really nice merchandise available for sale in addition to the books!

    Dana G.

    Such a cute place. It has books, coffee, tea, beer and wine, and some light bites. They had a drink on the menu with ginger beer, and I asked if I could just get the ginger beer which they accommodated. I appreciated that, but wish they'd told me it was just a fever tree bottle -- I was hoping it would be on tap. Still good though! We also tried the verde pozole pie and a jalapeño cheddar biscuit. I really enjoyed the biscuit, great distribution of the jalapeños! The pozole pie was unique too. I love it as a soup and it went pretty well as a flavor to the savory pie. Also shout out to the Smiths playlist that we all enjoyed, really caught the vibe of the rainy fall day well.

    Menu
    Lailah J.

    Kingston, NY - I've been to plenty of bookstore cafes, but more should adopt a bar like this one! This is a very cozy and inviting cafe-shop that beckons you to lounge or browse over a coffee or craft beer. The ambiance is warm, with thoughtfully curated book displays. We went for an afternoon pick-me-up but lingered a bit and ended up buying a "Where's Waldo"esque book for my child. I'll always be a fan and advocate of book-books as nothing beats brick-and-mortar or the feeling of thumbing through the pages of the physical article in your hands.

    Mel Y.

    A combination bar, cafe and bookstore, this spot is a fun place to hang out in. In addition to alcohol and coffee/tea, they also sell hand pies, baked goods and bread from local places. It was busy on a Saturday afternoon. There are some couches and tables but if it gets crowded, there aren't a lot of places to sit. Street and metered parking

    Historic building from the 16 to 1700s
    Bobby C.

    Amazing bookstore where you can get a great microbrew hence the name "rough draft. " I was able to get a lager for seven dollars and a James Baldwin paperback for $20. Very cool take on a bookstore - You often see the coffee shop /book store combo, which they also have - along with tea, but to be able to grab some brews makes this place just amazing, along with the eclectic selection; ranging from the occult to self-help!!! 10/10.

    JP P.

    A great place to go anytime of the day or evening! Books, Caffeine, alcohol or food. It's cozy in here and you can sit within the books or at the bar. The staff is attentive and very friendly. Coffee - 4 out of 5 Lattes - 4.5 out 5 Cookies - 5 out of 5 The molasses cookies were so damn good. The drink specials is a must! If you are in the area go check this place out.

    cappuccino
    Hannah C.

    This place is so great. like so great we went back the next day kinda great. I highly recommend trying to go as early as possible as the afternoon hours on saturday proved this place the most popular spot in town. So many people in one space! and it's not small! The pastries were fantastic, cappuccino and tea were both delicious and well made. They can get backed up because they only have one cash register for food/drink - so prepare to wait a little. But there's no better place to do it since you are surrounded by interesting literature, ambiance, and a little cards/games selection to browse. Overall a cozy spot and a must see if you're in the Kingston area! Dog and kid friendly! :)

    Sex, Drugs, Coconut 2.0
    Suzette G.

    What a great drive to Rough Draft Bar & Books from NJ. I can't tell you enough how anxious I was to walk in, browse all their books, try their delicious coffee and find a poetry book. This gem of a place is nestled in the town of Kingston, NY of which is filled with incredible history (if you're a history buff, you'll love the town). I arrived at peak time, so it was quite busy. However, I was able to find a stool in the corner at the bar area. I waited for the staff member just bit (understandably) and I placed my coffee order. What I ordered: Sex.Drug & Coconuts version 2.0 It was their featured drink for the month of August (see their Instagram page - @roughdraftny ) I was so excited that I immediately asked for the coffee drink not realizing that I had a option between hot or cold. What I wanted was the cold version, but I got the hot which was outrageous delicious!!! Plus I got the bonus beautiful decorative foam on top.(see photo) Staff members were kind and the ambiance was very cool and relaxing atmosphere. Plenty of stools around the bar area. Different types of seating, near the window, large farm table in the center with benches, and sofa. You can order draft beer. The prices were reasonable too. I didn't order anything else, but I'm looking forward to going back soon with a few friends who are books lovers. Great selection of books of all genres and a small gift shop with cool tshirts. (I'll get the tshirt next time around) There's outdoor seating as well. Perfect place for a date and and Autumn Trip.

    Emily B.

    This is one of my favorite bookstores PERIOD. Located in the historic town of Kingston (New York's original capital), the whole area is oozing charm and Rough Draft Bar & Books is no exception. The only thing I like better than browsing a bookstore is browsing a book store with a beer (or one of their super fun rotating coffee specials!). No notes. I highly recommend!

    Adam M.

    This historic building hosts the perfect coffeehouse/bar/book shop! The drinks are delightful. The book options are wonderful and diverse. The staff is friendly. AND ITS IN A PRE REVOLUTIONARY WAR BUILDING. This must be a stop on any trip to Kingston!

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    3 months ago

    What a fun place. Cozy, warm and great prices. Staff was friendly and helpful. Didn't get to try the beer, but will next time.

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    9 months ago

    A great bookstore, bar, cafe. Friendly service, lovely, inviting space, good food and drink. Definitely recommend!

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Rough Draft Bar & Books

    Review Highlights - Rough Draft Bar & Books

    I have lived most of my life in this area and have always loved the architecture and scale of uptown Kingston.

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    Blackbird Infoshop & Cafe

    3.5(2 reviews)
    1.9 mi

    I so wish this place were the place where I might hang out, eat and enjoy a community space;…read morehowever I am disappointed in the the mask wearing requirement and the tiny back area for seating which has been full the two times I was there. You must be masked in the large open area as you walk in to order. It's my kind of place but I wish the owners could create a friendly and safe seating area in front with the nice big windows, books and plants.Most, it seemed we're doing takeout.

    Community focused space. We sat here for several hours to use the internet (steady and consistent)…read more The space was incredibly friendly and welcoming. It's divided into two large rooms, one with the cafe & bookshop and the second with more seating & local art. We tasted several pastries including the mushroom tart, pumpkin danish, and jalapeño cream cheese croissant. All were fresh, delicious, and made with a sense of love you can only achieve from a handmade good. We had several varieties of coffee and tea and all were on point. The space hosts different events and apparently we missed a noise show the night prior. Sliding scale menu, so prices are reasonable at the suggested rates. They also have a community fridge & pantry and we watched as local donors came by to donate fresh goods. Overall, I can't praise this place enough for creating a communal safe space. If you're in the Kingston area, this is a must see stop.

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    Barnes & Noble - It Really Doesn't Matter To Me What Character Is This- But I'm Digging That It's Pink

    Barnes & Noble

    4.5(2 reviews)
    2.7 mi

    Very good Barnes & Noble. Although the location is smaller than usual, there is a lot in this shop…read more It also includes a coffee shop, tables, parking, some alcoves for browsing and restrooms. The young staff are not harried, but helpful and enjoy doing work. Each alcove has a theme, for example ones on gardening, literature and sports. Smaller shop but above average book store. Review: 5

    I can't believe - up until I asked for this page to be created - that this place wasn't yet listed…read morein the Yelp database. They've been open for two days (today was their second day) and hadn't gotten the recognition they deserved. I don't think this place will last in this location. Despite this place really updating to a cleaner design with a lot less column-based aisles (which makes it seem roomy and easy to move around more efficiently), I don't think this place is going to last because the last version had a lot more space, was made especially for Barnes and Noble, yet they moved out and moved into this space which was once a small dollar-discount store and much later a small Olive Garden at the corner of the old Kings Mall - a mall that's been in existence for quite some time and has seen better places come in - and later go out again. I was the weirdo who came in this afternoon/evening and right from the doorway started Facetime-like talking to my mother over my phone. Everybody in the store was loud, and there were no real good sales - not even much carryover from the last store of goods that just didn't sell well and were on former clearance - and about the only thing they were pushing was their membership (as always). I had been a fair customer for quite some time when you were across the street, but I converted to other reading book forms and went searching for what the newest Barnes and Noble is/was like - having opened yesterday and was looking for my next big read. As I went out, I saw another customer enter and the one register employee had to answer a question about what they felt this store might become, to which the employee talked all about this dead mall - boasting along the way. (Kings Mall's best other stores include a Marshall's, a HomeGoods, and an Old Navy, yet in the past, they've also had a Modell's Sporting Goods (which went out shortly thereafter.)) Will this be the turnaround this mall needs? I don't think so, but it's too soon to make snap judgments, perhaps.

    Rough Draft Bar & Books - bars - Updated May 2026

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