Molasses Books image

Molasses Books

Cafe Bar Coffee shop Book store Used book store

Used bookstore & cafe where patrons can barter volumes for coffee, beer or more books. People often mention books, coffee, great, book, space, nice, love, bookstore, cozy, read,


Address

770 Hart St, Brooklyn, NY 11237

Website

facebook.com

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (343 reviews)

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Working Hours

  • Thursday: 11 AM to 12 AM
  • Friday: 11 AM to 12 AM
  • Saturday: 11 AM to 12 AM
  • Sunday: (Easter), 11 AM to 12 AM, Hours might differ
  • Monday: 11 AM to 12 AM
  • Tuesday: 11 AM to 12 AM
  • Wednesday: 11 AM to 12 AM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: books (16) coffee (14) great (10) book (8) space (7) nice (7) love (7) bookstore (6) cozy (6) read (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 Tiffany L. 9 months ago on Google • 101 reviews
    This combination bookstore, café, and bar leans a little more towards the latter. A great deal of space is taken up by the bar, so there aren't many seats or much standing space. They offer a mix of new and used books spanning literature and fiction, gender studies, art, children's books, zines, and more. The selection is a bit limited to make for a truly satisfying browsing experience, and the café menu is a bit limited to make for an exceptional coffee break, so the experience languishes somewhere in the middle for me. The atmosphere is cozy though, and I appreciate the amount of space dedicated to poetry alone. Note that laptops are not allowed after 8pm.
    9 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Wilson Y. 1 year ago on Google • 67 reviews
    Hands down the cutest bookstore in the Bushwick area. Not only do they sell second-hand books, it’s also a cafe where you can enjoy a cup of coffee if you choose to spend a cozy afternoon in the store
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 V L. 6 months ago on Google • 75 reviews
    Absolutely dreamy to have a place where you can get a cup of tea and a book and read in a cozy corner at 10 pm. I wish there were more late-night options like this! The person working when I visited was very kind and really looked after the folks who came in.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Sha W. 1 year ago on Google
    I ordered a matcha latte that only had a hint of matcha. Basically $5 for steamed milk. The bar area had so many little flies that a customer killed one (by clapping his hands) and the barista replied, “thanks for doing your part”. At this point I had already paid so I’m just watching the espresso machine and making sure no foul/fly play takes place. How do you report a place for cleanliness or lack there of? Seriously, because they shouldn’t be selling edible items. Can’t speak on the bookstore aspect. I also didn’t feel welcomed: no smiles, but many glares. This place does not seem friendly towards black ppl/patrons. Please do not visit if you like fly-free potables or friendly services towards black ppl.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Malak A. 8 months ago on Google
    Im writing this review because i really liked this place. The ambiance is just great and its really nice to be around books. I grabbed a coffee there today and was setting up to work on my computer while chatting with my mom (the whole thing wasnt more than 3 minutes) when the barista came to me and aggressively said to sit outside if im on the phone. I respect the no phone call policy of course but i think theres nicer ways to talk to customers. I felt very attacked and thats not a feeling i should get in a cafe. For context i was calling my mother in arabic and wishing her a happy holiday. I think we can be more gracious with each other
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Eva R. 3 months ago on Google • 74 reviews New
    So happy that places like this wonderful used bookstore still exist. Good books, good music, cozy spots to read or work, and good coffee in lovely mugs.

  • 5/5 Michael Alan H. 8 months ago on Google
    5 stars for vibe. Managing to be partially a bar, a cafe, and a bookstore. It excels in being a "3rd space", your living room away from your apartment, your font of like minds. Go, give them your money, talk to a stranger about something interesting they're reading.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tom P. 2 years ago on Google
    This reminds me of coffee shops I hung out in on the lower east side early 80's and in Madison, WI early 70's. The book shelves are filled with books that are not just ways of wasting time. Atmosphere is very friendly. Even a first visit is like coming home. And the coffee is gooo-oood.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ry Book S. 1 year ago on Google
    Small book shop with a few seats for coffee or wine. Not a cafe environment. I wish they had toast/snacks besides a cookie, but it's very nice. A small "bar" with maybe 6 seats and then a little table by the window. There are a couple tables outside on the sidewalk too. Very cute and nice.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dylan G. B. 1 month ago on Google • 12 reviews New
    Cleaners from Venus fans per square meter usually ranges from 2-5. Strong coffee. Orange wine. Good people. Bathroom could use better ventilation.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 tiff 2 months ago on Google • 6 reviews New
    great place to work and read if you like slightly busier cafe environments. the black barista who was working when i went in is very friendly and personable. good playlist. seems like a lot of cool people pass through here. many places have a no laptop policy after a certain hour, 8pm isn't bad as far as i've seen.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Scarlett S. 5 months ago on Google • 27 reviews
    Great selection of books and coffee. Guy behind the bar was super friendly. Would love to come back.

  • 5/5 Emily T. 9 months ago on Google
    Molasses. We know her, we love her. Good coffee, interesting books, great music. The coziest atmosphere you can imagine. There are always genuine people and genuine conversations here. This is the third place you’re looking for.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tod G. 2 years ago on Google
    Coffee and a great well-curated selection of used books! What more could you possibly ask for?!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Marta B. 1 year ago on Google
    Bookstore that is open until midnight. Dreams do come true.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 K K. 1 year ago on Google
    Saw my hot co-worker read poetry here. Everyone else was also cool. Had a panic attack and left early - but I do not blame that on you Molasses Books. Has Underberg shots, 6 stars
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Kellen W. 4 months ago on Google • 11 reviews
    Came here last week for an iced chai and it tasted awful - I couldn't even finish it (and I hate throwing food away). Came here again to meet friends and encountered the "no laptops after 8pm" policy. Won't be back.

  • 5/5 Ambrosia P. 1 month ago on Google • 7 reviews New
    Just came for the first time. Coffee was great, books are interesting, it’s a nice spot to chill and read. It’s smaller than I thought it was but very calm, cozy, and relaxing. Might not be the place for a large group since it seems to have space for like 10 people total. definitely will be back

  • 4/5 Alex F. 1 year ago on Google
    i'm a fan of this bookstore. It's kind of small but I feel like it's filled to the brim with a huge variety of books. You could "explore the pages" for hours. Coffeeshop is a nice touch.

  • 5/5 Emma H. 1 year ago on Google
    Loved this book shop. I purchased a pretty niche book that I probably wouldn’t have found in another shop. Also the free bookmark was a nice addition. Really pleased and would recommend supporting 🥰

  • 5/5 Victor C. 1 year ago on Google
    Small, cozy and have a wide variety of books of all kind around the store. Has very great drinks to grab a book and read. I love it here and love how small it is. It is very cute and the owner is very friendly and nice. I love it here and definitely will go again. My boyfriend spent big on here of books that are amazing like art and philosophy books.

  • 5/5 Lindy G. 8 months ago on Google
    My new favorite Bushwick haunt! So charming and delightful with a unique book collection and a very quaint and lovely neighborhood feel. I love how it is open to midnight too which is very unusual for a place like this. Bravo Molasses, you will be seeing a lot of me!

  • 1/5 Laila H. 10 months ago on Google
    I received the most stank attitude by the woman behind the bar. I had to wait for her to finish her conversation with her friends before I was even acknowledged. As a black woman I felt uncomfortable as the other non black customers were receiving good customer service and being talked to, while a hello was barely received on my end

  • 5/5 Nihal H. 9 months ago on Google
    The best bookshop around! Love the space, the vibe is calm and chill, and the selection is always great. Must stop by if you’re in the Bushwick area!

  • 5/5 Orbán I. 9 months ago on Google
    This place rules. The coffee is delicious. Folks running the space are respectful. There's books. What else can you ask for?!

  • 4/5 Grecos R. 1 year ago on Google
    I was in this place because my wife's teacher invited him to try the coffee he sells and the truth is that I loved it, it was delicious, for those who love good coffee! HONEY MOON COFFEE! is the best

  • 5/5 Johnny Z. 1 year ago on Google
    Great coffee and great selection of books, very affordable prices and comfortable atmosphere

  • 5/5 Becky L. 8 months ago on Google • 2 reviews
    The owner here made the best cappuccino of my life. Great atmosphere, and I found a cool book to take home.

  • 5/5 C G. 5 months ago on Google • 2 reviews
    perfect place to do work comfortably without feeling overstimulated, but also a great place to meet people! i used to come here all the time and i miss it so much. please come here and keep it in business so that i can go here again when i move back to nyc!!!!!!


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Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✗ Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Service options
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✓️ In-store shopping
  • From the business
    • ✓️ Small business

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