News Summary
Bibliotheque, a new wine-bar-bookstore café opened by AJ Jacono in SoHo, New York City, merges literature with fine wines, aiming to revive the bookstore experience. The establishment offers an extensive wine selection and hosts community events, fostering connections through food, drink, and literature. It addresses the decline of traditional bookstores by providing a lively environment for engagement and creativity.
New York City Launches Bibliotheque: A Hybrid Wine-Bar-Bookstore Café
In late 2023, New York City welcomed Bibliotheque, a revolutionary wine-bar-bookstore café established by AJ Jacono in SoHo. This unique establishment aims to provide a memorable experience by merging the love of literature with a fine selection of wines, offering customers a chance to enjoy food and drink while browsing through a curated collection of books.
AJ Jacono, who left his job in the publishing industry, was inspired to create this new concept alongside his father, a well-known plastic surgeon. The idea stems from an increasing trend in New York of combining bookstores with food and beverage offerings, as traditional bookstores struggle to maintain their presence in the city.
Over the past few decades, New York City has seen a significant decline in the number of bookstores, plummeting from 286 in 1950 to fewer than 80 by 2019. This downturn is attributed to rising rents and the changing landscape of how people consume literature, particularly the influence of social media.
Bibliotheque’s Unique Offerings
Bibliotheque distinguishes itself from other establishments in the city by providing a distinctive combination of dining and literature. The wine list features over 700 varietals, including rare bottles such as Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and Petrus, ensuring a selection available for all wine enthusiasts. Wines are creatively categorized to enhance the experience: ‘short stories’ for wines by the glass, ‘stanzas’ for half bottles, ‘self-help’ for Champagne, ‘fantasies’ for expensive bottles, and ‘sagas’ for large format wines.
Jacono emphasizes the parallels between storytelling in literature and the artistry involved in winemaking, suggesting that both crafts share a romantic sensibility. Customers are encouraged to explore wine and book pairings, turning the act of selecting a drink into an art form.
A Hub for Community Engagement
Bibliotheque is not just a place for wine and books; it also serves as a vibrant social hub. The café offers various events such as calligraphy classes, author readings, and movie nights, attracting a diverse crowd seeking authentic connections, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The nightlife scene in New York City has faced challenges, with the closure of many clubs due to high rental costs and evolving drinking habits. As a response, Jacono aims to create unforgettable experiences that blend hospitality with communal creativity. He hopes to see more such hybrid venues open, which would benefit both the community and the cultural landscape of the city.
Creating an Inviting Atmosphere
The décor of Bibliotheque strikes a balance between elegance and homeliness, reminiscent of a luxurious living room. Dramatic chandeliers illuminate the space, making it an inviting setting for guests, including authors, poets, and psychics. Jacono believes that everyone who walks through the doors has a unique story worth sharing, promoting an atmosphere conducive to conversation and creativity.
Jacono, an aspiring writer himself with experiences published in various magazines, sees the café as more than a commercial establishment; it is also a space that fosters literary spirit and community interaction. His background and passion for both literature and hospitality motivate his vision for Bibliotheque and its potential for future expansion.
Advice for Future Entrepreneurs
Jacono’s message to aspiring bookstore and bar owners is clear: possess immense passion and prioritize great service and customer experience. By focusing on these principles, he believes that hybrid venues like Bibliotheque can thrive and create lasting connections among people who share a love for books and wine.
With its unique blend of literature and libations, Bibliotheque has the potential to reshape how New Yorkers view the bookstore experience, melding the pleasures of reading and socializing into a refreshing endeavor.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
New York City Restaurant Scene Faces Outdoor Liquor License Headaches
Additional Resources
- The Drinks Business: What’s Behind New York’s Bookstore Bar Boom?
- Untapped Cities: Bookstore Bars in NYC
- CNN Travel: Bookstores, Bars, and Restaurants with Aesthetic
- The New York Times: Everyone’s Going to the Book Bar
- Tasting Table: Best NYC Restaurants and Bars for Book Lovers
- Wikipedia: Bookstore
- Google Search: New York City bookstores
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bookstore
- Google Scholar: Hybrid bookstore bar
- Google News: New York book bars
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.
