The Book Cellar
Categories: Wine Bars, Bookstores, Coffee & Tea [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Lincoln Square, Ravenswood4736 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60641 (773) 293-2665
- Nearest Transit:
Western (Brown)
- Hours:
Mon, Wed-Thu 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Tue 12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Sun 12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Free
- Best Nights: Wed, Sat, Sun
- Happy Hour: No
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
- Smoking: No
- Coat Check: No
41 reviews
Neighborhood: Lakeview
"They have really delicious sandwiches, soups and baked goods, at reasonable prices. The service is always friendly and attentive- and…" read more »
44 Reviews for The Book Cellar
I love this store because it feels like the entire selection of books was put together just for me. Everytime I come I find a bunch of books that I would want to buy and can't ever decide. The staff recs are very helpful. It's never been crowded when I've been there, which is a nice change of pace from Borders.
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I went here my first day ever in Chicago.
The guy working the register was condescending and made a loud, rude remark to us about our age as we sat at a table, laughing quietly to each other. Now, we weren't teenagers but a group of people who look very young, and this guy was maybe 3 years older than our oldest group member.
That alone has made me not want to return even though I live here now.
The most fabulous bookstore I have ever been to!
The selection is great and the readings and author signings they do there are truly fantastic!
The first time I stepped foot in here was for their meet and greet with Lisa See for her new book "Peony In Love" I got there extra early and was able to secure a seat right up front. It's so lovely to have such an intimate setting where everyone can hear an author read without needing a microphone.
I'm certainly hooked on books and highly recommend The Book Cellar for all of your literary needs!
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Books
Wine
Food
Friendly Staff
Book Clubs
Great recommendations
Kids Fun
All I can say - this cellar has it all !!!
The owner, Susie is really nice and friendly. It seems that every time I visit the place she is there. She always smiles and tries to talk to you.
The employees are also great, Robin and Javi give great recommendations - my last summer reads were fantastic.
Food is fine for a little place like this as well.
My favorite is when it is snowing or cold to come in here get tea or hot chocolate pick out a great book and snuggle by the window on one of the comfy chairs. If my eyes get tired from reading I watch the busy square or chat with one of the employees. :)
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Simply the loveliest book store in Chicago... Much of this is a reflection of Suzy, the owner... The stacks are not large but wonderfully edited. The staff picks are a wonderful offering. Also, they're fabulous about special orders - I've done a lot of that. If you join their buyers' club, you get 10% off book purchases. Once you hit $250, you get $25 store credit. The periodical selection is smallish but nice. Wonderful greeting card selection, stationary, journals.
The cafe is delightful. Really nice food, reasonably priced. My faves? Veggie chile, grilled chees sammies and the salads. The seasonal salads are so delicious, they often sell out. The wine list is very well selected. Beers are tremendous - only serve Unibroue from Quebed. (The Ephemere is particularly tasty, especially on a summer day.) Though it's primarily wine/beer, throughout the year drink specials are offered - Irish coffee in winter, fabulous mint juleps during Kentucky Derby weekend
If you don't feel like sitting in the cafe, several comfy easy chairs are scattered throughout the store.
Check the calendar as the Book Cellar also offers terrific readings.
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I always stop in the bookstore when I'm in the Lincoln Square area. Sure, parking is something to fight over, but this place calms your down. All the products and the books are at retail price, but reading the staff's recommendations on the shelves are interesting enough. I always get their Julius Meinl's strawberry tea while I peruse their things. Quaint and cute!
Let's be perfectly truthful - this is a horribly biased review. Just walking into the Book Cellar filled me with nostalgia for my favorite neighborhood bookstore in San Francisco, and from that moment, there was no going back. Everything, from the linger-and-read in-house coffee shop, to the handwritten staff recommendations on the titles, and the little hidden nooks, reminded me of home, and I lost track of time as I wandered through the aisles. I only wish their selections were a little wider, but there's no dearth of interesting, quirky choices. Just lovely.
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A good friend of mine was doing a reading here, so I only got to see part of this store.
This little store is so clean and nicely set up. I love the REAL recommendations, it makes me want to work here.
Oh yes, and I had an Irish coffee here, and it was verrrry good. Just what you want to drink during short story readings.
I don't buy from here often because I don't like spending full price on books. But when I do, I usually find something worthwhile. I love reading the staff picks and finding something new to read.
Also, if you buy one of their recommended books (on a certain shelf in the middle of the store) you get a free book! It's basically a crap book they prob want to get rid off. But who doesn't like free stuff?
I did get Harry Potter 7 here at midnight, and they were very organized and it was not a pain at all.
Also, the cafe is pretty good. Tables are usually packed, but if you find a seat, the coffee is pretty good.
My new home-away from home. The ultimate anti-sports bar.
It's quiet, small and cool... you get a stack of intellectual reading, a good glass of coffee or red wine and something chocolate in addition to actual literary recommendations (Other than: You like to read? Have you read this book called the DaVinci code? True experience.) from friendly, not-pushy staff that does -gasp- read something other than this month's UsWeekly!
More than once I've gone in for a present for my hard-to-shop-for-stoic-father or my 2 1/2 year old niece and walked out with the equivalent of a shelf, gift-wrapped and packed in bag...
I'd bump this review to six stars if I could for the doggie bowls and biscuits located outside...
Also, The big ol' lounge cushions are perfect for making out with your boyfriend behind bookcases. After a couple glasses of red, natch.
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Lincoln square is lucky to have such a well-edited (get it?) bookstore. Many reviewers have bemoaned the lack of book selection, but I would include that characteristic in its virtues column. This is not Borders, friends; this is a boutique independent bookseller, and they have made a point to cut a lot of the rubbish found in many book stores and left for us all that is thoughtful, current (though they do have a handful of 'classics'), and smart. I would also point said reviewers to the numerous enthusiastic signs that say, 'if we don't have it, we can order it!'
The Book Cellars events calendar is what one would expect of an independent book store, and I haven't found any events that particularly excite me; however, I give them big props for supporting the work of local emerging authors. They also host community events like Dating for Nerds.
While a bit cold, staff is well-read, make recommendations that I actually trust, and offer stellar customer service when asked. I made an exchange (no returns) and wasn't hassled about it (like at many small, independent stores).
The store's only significant demerit is the wine bar and cafe, which is awkwardly situated and so intimate that I feel I'm in on others' conversations. It also creates a strange barrier between the the books and the magazines, making them virtually unbrowsable.
While not specialized enough to be a destination store (like Women and Children First), The Book Cellar serves its neighborhood well.
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I remember visiting The Book Cellar not long after I moved to Chicago and being unimpressed. Almost four years later, I finally made it back, and was pleasantly surprised.
Two positives:
- They had an array of books from the 33 1/3 series, which I haven't seen any basically any other bookstore in Chicago, including Carl Wilson's diatribe on Celine Dion's "Let's talk About Love," which I purchased immediately
- They have their own rack of Penguin Classics, second only to the New York Book Review Classics in terms of obscure literature nerdery
Two negatives:
- It was a midday on a Friday on there was a group of very loud ladies who lunch with a baby at the cafe that were kind of disturbing my bookstore browsing mellow
- I stood at the counter to check out for at least 5 minutes as 3 (yes, three) employees at the counter stood talking with their backs to me
Great independent bookstore. The staff is extremely helpful, friendly and they make great recommendations. The staff pick cards on the shelves are great. I do wish the Classics section was a bit more stocked - however, I always try to support the local businesses, so I would shop here over Barnes & Noble anyday.
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The Book Cellar is a very cool concept . There are books and staff picks conveniently placed to help you with your selection. Another plus, you can get coffee or a glass of wine while reading .
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Gotta love the local, independent bookstores. This one's way cute, they have an excellent selection of books in key categories (travel, cooking, fiction, children's books), and you can't beat the wine and sweets in the cafe area. They also have plenty of events for adults and children alike. I enjoy, in particular, the staff picks--handwritten tags taped to the shelves underneath the books--and the local author/signed copy section.
If they don't have what you want, they'll order it--most ordered books arrive within 2-3 days.
I browse for books at Borders and Amazon, then I do my actual buying here. Totally recommend it.
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The Book Cellar is a rad bookstore/cafe/wine bar right in the heart of Lincoln Square. It's not huge, but it's laid out well and has a good selection (especially of Chicago oriented books and authors). It's quiet and cozy and very much worth checking out. If I lived closer, I'd be here all the time.
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This place gets me to buy a book and read it simply because of all of the little handwritten, staff book reviews placed under most of the books. I browse the shelves just reading those mostly. That makes it so easy to pick a book out. The coffee is good and the place is usually quiet enough to concentrate on reading or book browsing. The staff is extremely polite and helpful. They once helped me pick out a couple of children's books that I purchased for my nephew's birthday present. I had no clue what children are reading these days. They gave me the quick run down on what he'd probably like and sure enough, he loves them and reads them over and over. My only two negatives on the Book Cellar are that they close early a couple of days a week, I think Tuesday and Sunday? And I once had a glass of wine that had gone bad, but they happily replaced it when I complained. I love this place and I go there quite often.
The Book Cellar sold me the single greatest resource for living in Chicago...the NFT.
I love my NFT. I couldn't live without it. I even bought one for my boyfriend, because he kept stealing mine.
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THIS is my new favorite little place to hide.
I stumbled upon this Saturday...with about a half hour to kill between dinner and another commitment. The folk fest had engulfed the further southern parts of Lincoln, I didn't feel like dodging double strollers anymore, and so I retreated...ducked into this little gem to peruse in a quiet sanctuary of wine, books and calm.
Sighhhh. Love it. The guy behind the cafe counter even brewed me a fresh pot of coffee. Bingo!
Great selection of quirky greeting cards, too. I love it.
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This is the kind of bookstore I would run if I ran a bookstore. Why aren't I running a bookstore, already?! All the best books. Lots of smart and thoughtful staff recommendation tags. Wine!
Sheesh . . . if it were just a teeny bit bigger and just a tiny smidge closer, it would be perfect.
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One of the best selections of any independent book stores of its size that I have ever seen. A top-notch selection of graphic novels is available, FYI. I would shop there even if the clerks were rude because the selection is great, I can walk there, and there just aren't many shops like this any more. Go here!
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This is a quiant bookstore with cozy appeal! When your looking for a less than main stream book this is your place. I would probably rather buy from Amazon...it's cheaper.
However, if you're looking for a place to cozy up with a book, a glass of wine and a yummy cup cake this is your place!
My favorite book store. Very local author and indie publishing friendly. The clerks are very helpful and friendly, and they don't mind you if spend a few hours there chilling with a book and a cup of coffee (or a glass of wine!)
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Wow, a bookstore that sells wine instead of lattes with their books! And in a really cute little neighborhood.
You're not gonna find books that have been in print for awhile here, though. Most of the literature is hot off the press, which can be a good thing, depending on what you're looking for.
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First time I went here, I thought this place was geared toward the Oprah Book Club crowd...which means they didn't have much stock.
I went back a year later to find the place packed with everything I wanted at that moment. However, I didn't buy anything because I bought a bottle of wine and left there a little tipsy. I like to read in bars, and this give me that chance, without chain smokers or guys in Bears jerseys asking me, "Whatcha readin' Debbie?"
Also, the are really cool about special orders and helping you find what you want.
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My favorite thing about the Book Celler is that they have staff suggestions, with little cards reviewing the books posted under some of the staff favorites. When I'm just browsing the shelves, those are what I look for. I've bought a couple of books based on those suggestions, and loved them.
Their stock is not all encompassing, but it is eclectic, and their displays might lead you to find something interesting you didn't know about.
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When I first walked into this place I smacked myself on the forhead and went "DAMN! Why didn't I think of this". Wine and book browsing just seem like such a natural combination once you've done it.
Great things about this place
- Wine! In a bookstore!
- The little notes all over the shelves with the owners' recommendations. They've read and recommended on every single genre that they sell. Book sellers that love reading... what a relaxing change of pace from big box bookstores like Barnes & Noble and Chapters (for my fellow Canucks)
- They post these brain teasers on a whiteboard (what's one english word in which the vowels appear in order?). My girlfriend hates it when they do it, because it means I'll be there yet another hour.
Make a saturday afternoon out of this place. There's plenty of other nice little shops and some great restaraunts in the same area.
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Clever name. I dig this book store. I like the idea of books & wine together. Yeah, the books do cost a few bucks more than amazon, etc. However, there's something to be said for browsing the shelves, glancing at the book jackets, and reading the staff recommendation cards.
Of note, if you purchase a staff pick, you get a bonus pre-wrapped book for free. They're nothing to sneeze at-- just advance copies that aren't for retail.
Books+wine+cheese -- dang, why didn't I think of this? I suppose enough wine will make one willing enough to spend $35 for a book that can be purchased on Amazon for $20. The Book Cellar does not offer the hugest selection, of course, but it is very respectable. The outdoor tables are a nice place to relax and people-watch as well. The staff is friendly, and they genuinely seem to enjoy all the wild Lincoln Square babies that come to Read Aloud hours.
I love Book Cellar. Another quirky, fun, quaint place that makes Chicago rock. Book Cellar has a nice selection and they have munchies and coffee so you can sit and read comfortably. "So what?" I hear you say, "Borders and Barnes&Noble sell coffee too". Yeah, well, have you ever been in one where it felt comfortable, where the coffee station didn't feel like a fifth wheel stuck on because someone thought it was a good idea but never integrated with the store? Well, that's how it feels to me, anyway. Not like Book Cellar. It's comfortable here, everything "fits". Plus you're a hop and a skip from other cool stores... Merz, Eclecticity, Chopping Block... it makes the whole thing part of a really fun afternoon.
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I have an "in" with bookselling industry so I don't buy a lot of books at retail but I have been in here to browse a few times.
Their selection is really good for such a modestly sized space and the cafe seems like a nice date place. However, there's something about the atmosphere in here that seems a bit chilly. It would help if the staff were a bit friendlier. Not a "what can I sell you?" kind of friendly but just a "hi" and a smile kind of friendly.
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Whoever buys the books here knows what they are doing. A relaxing and friendly environment, where the staff will say "You can get it at the library down the street" if they don't have it in stock.
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This is a hidden treasure! They have a great selection of both local writers and national titles. The cafe is very cozy (the perfect place to grab a cup of coffee). They also have food and wine. The staff is very knowledgeable and willing to help you. It was almost like they enjoyed reading :)
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Here's the difference: When I'm at Borders, I'm trying to look for enough books to buy so I can take advantage of the "three for the price of two" offer or to cash in on one of the coupons I've received via email. I might end up with many books purchased at a lower average price, but that doesn't mean I get around to reading them all. In fact, I have devoted space on my bookshelf to "Books I Bought at Borders But Have (and May) Not Read."
When I'm in the Book Cellar, I find book after book that I want to read, and I know I will read after I buy it, because of the satisfaction derived from purchasing literature in a culturally approving environ. It is disappointing that the classics section isn't well stocked at all -- I mean, "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" is the only Hardy representation? -- but the Chicago literature and non-fiction, particularly pop culture, could keep me browsing for hours. Similar to my view on independent record stores, I would hate to walk in there looking for a Penguin Classics edition of Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities" (as I did this evening) and not being able to find it; however, if I wanted a Penguin Classics Deluxe edition of D.H. Lawrence's "Lady Chatterly's Lover," they carried a beautiful copy that you wouldn't find in a mass book retailer.
Having recently read that Women and Children Bookstore in Andersonville might have to close because of the stiff competition from the chains and Amazon.com, I recently pledged to give my business to independent booksellers whenever possible. But it may just have to follow the same approach I take with grocery shopping -- The Book Cellar may be my go-to location for books, but don't fault me for having to fall back on Borders for a standard that someone slipped through the cracks downstairs.
Two-star study place, but overall a unique concept whose time has come. I like the selection and the authors they bring in for signings. Book Cellar adds charm to the neighborhood & is always fun as an afternoon stop-in.
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What a great concept- first of all. It was the middle of the day, so I didn't have any wine, unfortunately. But, I did buy a book based on a staff recommendation and a journal. My boyfriend, who's a writer, bought tons of books.
I felt so much better about myself too, buying from this small store as opposed to a corporate chain.
I'm definitely going back and having wine next time.
I love the fact that this place stays alive, so that I can feel good about buying books from an Independent book seller instead of being a slave to Borders/Barnes and Noble. Even though they have food, the books are never manhandled or show signs of being 'perused' over (or under) a sandwich. Just like your local chain bookstore, they will order anything they don't have in stock at your request - unfortunately I don't see much of a point in that, since nowadays you can order a book yourself and have it shipped directly to your home.
My only detraction about the store is that the employees sometimes give me the impression that I'm just not cool/Gapers Blocky enough for them to deign servicable.
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I'm a fan. They're always helpful, and while, as others have said, it doesn't have the selection of the big chain stores, it has all the charm in the world. I'll be honest, though, I've been completely guilted into shopping there. A few months back, just after the book "I Like Food, Food Tastes Good" (a cookbook for hipsters by indie rockstars) came out, my friend and I went looking for it. The guy at the store said they didn't have it, and weren't planning on ordering it, but they could special order it. We discussed this idea, but we'd really wanted to look at it before buying - what if it was all full of fish dishes and other things I won't eat? We told the guy that we would sneak a peek somewhere else, and if we liked it, we promised to come back and order it through them. Then he asked if we lived nearby. Yes, we said. Then he asked if we would promise to shop there again. Yes, we said. Here, he said, as he gave us the very special, not copyeditted copy that gets sent out by publishers for review/whatnot.
Long story short, they'll go way, way beyond expectations to make you happy (and to keep you coming back). Either way, it worked - every book I've bought in the last 2 or 3 or however many months has been at the Book Cellar, with the sole exception of Harry Potter. That was only because I'd pre-ordered it elsewhere in February.
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Feels like a used book store because of the cramped space but, happily, without the dust and must of old books.
Good selection of lit for rummaging on your day off, which means you can enjoy that glass of wine or two after you've found what you didn't know you were looking for.
Although I haven't had the occasion, I bet this place would special order.
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I love this place! I mean, it's a small bookstore with a seriously cool ambiance and a pronounced lefty flair. Just say no to those national chains! Shop local! And come to the Book Cellar! Books and vino! Can't beat that!
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