Toronto's hottest new bar is in a bookstore inside a former house in Mirvish Village

After the pandemic, as independent bookstores soared in popularity (the Canadian Independent Booksellers Association reported that more than 300 small bookstores opened across Canada, with new ones debuting every year), they integrated literature with the hopes of encouraging connection between drinkers and thinkers.

“This is 18 years of dreams for Robin and me. It’s an extension of our kitchen table to Toronto, so we’re inviting everybody in to enjoy a book, or a glass of wine,” Freeman told the Star from a sun-drenched window booth at the Book Bar, located in a two-storey heritage house on Markham Street. 

Of course, the hybrid bookstore is not uncommon in Toronto. Dark Horse Espresso Bar operates at several Indigo locations, and Flying Books at Neverland and Glad Day sell alcohol as well as coffee. Book Bar, however, appears to be the first to promote itself equally as a retail space and a cafe/bar.

Like a living room

Upon entering Book Bar, one is struck by the intimate, homelike atmosphere. Couches, high-top tables, bar stools and booths fill the space, with each corner of the store decorated like a living room. The arrangements accommodate a variety of activities, including independent reading, book club meetings and socializing over coffee, effectively creating a third space where guests can feel inspired to craft their own informal programming.

On the ground floor, conversations and laughter fill the air, while the second level serves as a quiet retreat with a cosy, fireside lounge.

It’s no surprise that there’s an emphasis on the guest experience, given Storfer and Freeman’s backgrounds. With 20 years as a mental health coach for ADHD and neurodiversity, Storfer understands the importance of a welcoming, safe place. Having worked with clients who felt lonely and isolated, she saw Book Bar as an opportunity to cultivate joy, drawing people into the offline world with a curated selection of books and beverages. Freeman’s expertise is in hospitality and management, having owned a restaurant for 10 years and now working on the supply side of interior design for 15.

Eventually, they brought on operations manager Sarah Labrie and assistant operations manager Danny Roberts. “We want to avoid the idea that there are booksellers, and there are bartenders.” Roberts said. “No matter who you interact with here, you’re going to have people that are passionate about both.”

What’s in stock and in store

Within weeks of launching, the Book Bar has already hosted a sold-out dating event for singles, a panel on South Asian voices in fantasy fiction, and a fireside chat with Canadian authors Kevin Hardcastle and Lynn Hutchinson Lee. Later in July, the calendar boasts free and ticketed social gatherings, book launches and scholarly lectures. On July 22, Sina Queyras will launch their poetry collection “On Occasion,” accompanied by readings from local writers. A week later, authors Lee Kuhnle and Nathan Radke will host the inaugural edition of the conversation series “Ideas After Hours” with a guided discussion on misinformation inspired by their book, “Uncover Up: How to Think Clearly in an Age of Conspiracies,” on July 30.

When asked about their ideal audience — literary snobs, #BookTok readers or perhaps even wine connoisseurs — Freeman rejected the premise that they’re targeting any particular clientele. There are drink options for university students on a budget, such as $7 canned beer from local brewery Blood Brothers and non-alcoholic cocktails from Montreal-based Fin Soda at $10, as well as those looking for a reserve wine list and specialty drinks.

Labrie added that they’re still learning how the crowd is responding to their efforts and considering what titles are missing on their shelves. At the moment, their inventory spans all genres, comprising fiction and non-fiction, mainstream and independent books.

The sales have been surprising: “It’s a lot more literary than I would have imagined when we first opened,” Labrie said. “Based on our social media response, I thought we were going to sell a ton of commercial romance, but that hasn’t been the case.” During their opening weekend, they sold out of every copy of George Orwell’s essay collection “Fascism and Democracy” and Frantz Fanon’s “The Wretched of the Earth.” 

Already, their vision of inclusivity is paying off. Labrie recalled that one man who grew up in Toronto’s Chinatown picked up Christina Wong and Daniel Innes’ “Denison Avenue” — a hybrid prose/graphic novel about Chinese Canadian elders — and was so moved by the store’s choice to display the title that he gave her a hug.

The space is also attracting attention as a rental venue. Before the grand opening, Storfer and Freeman were already receiving inquiries about holding bridal showers, birthday parties, even knitting clubs. From a design perspective, the appeal of Book Bar for non-literary functions is obvious. “Books create a stunning backdrop to any event,” Freeman said. “We think we’ve brought a beautiful space to Toronto that is very welcoming.”

After a successful first week, where does the team envision the establishment will be a year from now? Besides hitting revenue targets and smoothing out logistics, they want everyone who steps inside the store, from customers to staff members, to feel happy.

“My hopes and dreams are that people think of us,” Storfer said. “‘I want to go and sit and feel cosy, that’s Book Bar. I want to go and meet my friends, that’s Book Bar. I want to throw an event because I want to celebrate. That’s Book Bar.’”