9 cozy bars in Traverse City that are perfect for reading alone

If you like a good drink and a good book, check out these nine bars in Traverse City.

Calling all bookworms! While a night at the bar can be a great chance to socialize with friends, sometimes your local watering hole is also the best place to curl up and disappear into a good book. And while Traverse City has plenty of bars meant for dancing, mingling, and spending time with people, the city is also home to a variety of cozy spots where you can grab your favorite beverage and turn the page to your next great read.

So, where can you go once the library has shut its doors and your thirst for a good drink is matched only by your thirst for literature? Let’s have a look at the very best bars in Traverse City for readers to “book” a spot at (please excuse the pun!).

1. Beacon Lounge

300 East State Street

It’s hard not to feel perfectly relaxed when you’re looking out at the water, a great read in one hand and a cocktail in the other—and at Beacon Lounge, you can do just that. Located in the Park Place Hotel, Beacon Lounge is an upper-floor lounge with views of the city and Grand Traverse Bay. They have a menu offering wine, beer, cocktails, and mocktails and are open every day of the week. 

A strictly over-21 establishment, Beacon Lounge does not offer food, and is a quiet venue catering to adults looking for an evening of grown-up fun. Stop by for a drink in elegant surroundings and a perch to read overlooking the city and the bay—perfect for if you’re working your way through a dreamy romance or a nautical tale of adventure.

2. & 3. Bootlegger’s and Dillinger’s Pub

119 and 121 South Union Street

Want to read a bit of historical fiction in a place that feels like time-traveling? Twin venues Bootlegger’s and Dillinger’s Pub have you covered. These two watering holes, located at 119 and 121 South Union Street, both take inspiration from the days of Prohibition, with Bootlegger’s getting its name from the infamous liquor smugglers, while Dillinger’s Pub is named for legendary Depression-Era outlaw John Dillinger, whose crime spree included a stint in Michigan.

Whichever of the two you stop by, you can expect an old-fashioned vibe, with pressed-tin ceilings and vintage neon signs outside, plus a menu of comforting pub food. Book lovers will take note that Bootlegger’s comes equipped with indoor versions of old-fashioned street lights, which can easily double as reading lights!

4. Kilkenny’s

400 West Front Street

What’s cozier than a proper Irish pub? How about a proper Irish pub with a good book? At Kilkenny’s, Traverse City’s landmark classic Irish pub and restaurant, you can make that winning combo a reality for an evening. With a location just below North Peak Brewing Company, you can be sure that the pints poured here are fresh and local, and if you’re hungry, order up a plate of classic fish and chips made with Great Lakes Walleye. 

Kilkenny’s offers darts and live music, which might not sound like a great reading environment. However, with music not starting until 8 p.m. or later, you have plenty of time for dinner, a drink, and a chapter or two before some tunes! Be sure to check out their daily specials, with $3 drinks, happy hours, and more.

5. North Bar

160 East Front Street, 2nd Floor

When the long summer evenings come to Northern Michigan, bars in Traverse City with outdoor spaces can take advantage of the evening light—as can avid readers who want a drink in the fresh air with their books. Enter the patio at North Bar. 

This bar and lounge is located on the second floor of 160 East Front Street, meaning you can sit outside on their terrace without being bothered by passing traffic. North Bar is open year-round and hosts a variety of regular events, but the best time for readers to visit is a warm summer evening, with just you, a drink, your book, and the Traverse City sky above you.

6. The Parlor

205 Lake Avenue

“Step into my parlor,” said the Traverse City bar scene to readers looking for a spot to relax. The parlor in question is The Parlor, which specializes in craft cocktails and small plates in elegant surroundings. A sister establishment to North Bar, The Parlor TC describes itself as “chill and eclectic,” and if that doesn’t sound like a great space to enjoy a book and a drink, it’s hard to say what does! Still need convincing? Their cocktail selection includes everything from the smoke-infused Smoke Stack to the luxurious Chocolate Decadence. Cheers!

7. The Tasting Room

155 Garland Street

Treat yourself! That could be the motto of The Tasting Room, a restaurant and bar that brings a dash of luxury with every plate and pour. Unlike many of the bars in Traverse City that book lovers might be drawn to, The Tasting Room is a place for food as much as drink. Solo patrons can take a seat at one of the leather-backed swivel chairs at their marble-topped bar and order a craft cocktail, including zero-proof options, and try a dish from their seasonal menu. In such delectable surroundings, you’ll feel like you should bring a book to match—perhaps even one of the classics!

8. The Workshop Brewing Company

221 Garland Street

Sometimes, nothing hits the spot like a book and a beer. At those times, you might want to head down to The Workshop, a taproom featuring a rotating selection of delicious craft beers, including local options from their partner, Kingsley Local Brewing. They host regular events and let you “pay it forward” with their Brew Unto Others program, but day to day, this establishment serves up craft beer and barbecue, raises awareness of sustainable practices in brewing, and provides a cozy environment for a brew, BBQ, and book bonanza!

9. Sleder’s Family Tavern

717 Randolph Street

Is that a moose reading over your shoulder? If it is, plus you have a pint of local beer and a great burger in front of you, you must be at Sleder’s Family Tavern. This pub and restaurant has been a Cherry City favorite for over a century, with its 1880s origins making it one of the oldest bars in Traverse City. In fact, Sleder’s is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Michigan!

While some things have changed at Sleder’s since 1882, this is a spot for nostalgic favorites, from the menu—which has been proudly unchanged for the past five decades—to the decor, including the famous moose and rowing oars on the walls. Why not stop by for a drink, a snack, and a nostalgic reread of an old favorite?

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.