If you love a good book, tasty pub fare and an intriguing selection of libations, you should check out Book & Bar. Whether you go for Dickens or drinks, though, you need to do it soon – on January 28, Book & Bar will issue last call for the last time.
I dropped into the bookstore and pub to get a drink and a snack on a chilly evening. I found an empty table, and sat there for a long time before someone came to tidy up a nearby bookshelf. I asked if they still offered table service, as they always had.
“We’re doing the best we can,” she said. “You have to order at the bar now.” Seeing the perplexed look on my face, she explained that they had just over a week left before they close – for good.
Passions fade
I asked why, and she said that “a number of factors” played into the decision, including the pandemic and the difficulty of keeping a restaurant going. Restaurants are among the most difficult businesses to run, and apparently, one that seems made for Portsmouth is no exception.
She also emphasized that Book & Bar had never been about making money, that it had always been a passion, “and passions fade.”
Thankfully, their commitment to good food, good drinks and inexpensive books has not faded. My pretzel bites were soft and warm, with just the right amount of salt. I also took some time to peruse the shelves, with ample selections in history, nature, theater, poetry, art, food and more.
All books will be 25% off until the store closes.
Literally, a literary loss
The closure of Book & Bar will be a loss for the community. It has been a popular venue for musical acts and poets for years.
Portsmouth will still have some good bookstores to choose from – including River Run Book Store on Daniel Street and Sheafe Street Books. But Book & Bar is one of a kind, and its presence will be missed.
If you want to be part of the send-off for the iconic establishment, join them for a two-day farewell party, “Hello, Goodbye: Weekend Celebration and Send-Off,” starting at 1 p.m., January 27, and at 2 p.m., January 28. Musical performances will continue through the afternoon and evening.
Book & Bar is located at 40 Pleasant Street. For hours and more information, I recommend visiting their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/PortsmouthBookAndBar, or calling the store at 427-9197.
Featured image: Portsmouth Book & Bar
