The Guide brings you the best of micro libraries housed inside drinking dens
For books with brews
When Harry Potter And The Cursed Child released last year, besides bookstores, many of the city's Potterheads also landed up at Doolally Taprooms across Mumbai. The craft brewery had acquired the book on the day of its release! The next time you drop in, grab an Apple Cider and savour a host of books - from mystery to non-fiction and graphic novels. "Our collection of Tintin and Asterix is a favourite at the Colaba outpost. Guests say it reminds them of their summer holidays," says brand manager Tresha Guha.
Open till: 1 am
At: All Doolally Taprooms.
Call: 9820966275 (Colaba)
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For fiction fans
If you're looking to spend some me-time after dark, head to Mockingbird Café and Bar and settle down on a bean bag in a cosy section that's full of books. "There might be around 2,000 books in there," shares owner Deepak Purohit, who has brought most of his personal collection to the bar. "Some guests offered books from their collections too," he adds. Over generous-sized jars of Bridget Jones Daiquiri and A Midsummer Night's Beam, read a host of contemporary fiction novels, classic literature as well as titles by Booker Prize winners.
Open till: 12.30 am
At: Veer Nariman Road, Churchgate.
Call: 60226023
For music lovers
Had a long day at work? Put your feet up on a couch, grab a comforting Gin & Tonic, and soak in the words of Bruce Springsteen and Michael Jackson. The duo are among the 300 titles that comprise the Orange Library at Door No 1. Initially, the retro-style bar included books only on musicians, with an aim to get guests to learn about the people behind the hit songs. However, the collection has since grown to include titles by Haruki Murakami, Paulo Coelho, Leo Tolstoy, Oscar Wilde, Harper Lee, Ernest Hemingway, Salman Rushdie, Virginia Woolf, Ruskin Bond and Amitav Ghosh. "We've found guests tucked in corners with a book even on Saturday nights," says co-founder Vishesh Khanna.
Open till: 1 am
At: Ankleshwar, ONGC Colony, Bandra Reclamation.
Call: 65355355
For chick lit
Did your date cancel at the last minute? Spend the evening in the company of Red Wine Sangria at Zoobar. The animal-themed bar offers 200 books spanning genres. "The idea was to create a place where guests could come for a meal or a drink and relax over a book," shares owner Nishant Joshi, citing an instance where a guest even borrowed a book from the bar. "He left Rs2,000 as assurance that he would return it. After a week, he came back to read some more."
Open till: 1.30 am
At: Liberty Lodge, DJ Road, Vile Parle (W).
Call: 9699966227
For comic book geeks
How many times has it happened that you've reached Hoppipola only to hear that your friend is stuck in a traffic jam? The next time you're in such a fix, get a pint of beer and settle down with a comic. The pub chain stocks international titles like Archie and Asterix, and our very own Tinkle.
Open till: 1 am
At: All Hoppipola outlets
Call: 33715989
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