Fort Mason's Book Bay opens new cafe

Residents of the Marina, Cow Hollow and nearby districts know that there is no lack of cafes, pubs and coffeehouses within walking distance. However, in perhaps the unlikeliest of sites, a new establishment has opened its doors.

Combining the best features of bookstores, restaurants, pubs, and coffee shops, the Readers Cafe opened at the Book Bay at Fort Mason Center in August with high quality coffees, teas, beer, wine, and tasty morsels.

Unlike other similar spots in the neighborhood, however, 100 percent of the profits go to support the San Francisco Public Library.

“The cafe space allows for 36 people to sit comfortably … and we’ll have overflow seating into the bookstore for author events, film nights, lectures, and book club meetings. So it should be pretty accommodating of larger crowds,” said Sarah Rosedale, store manager of the Fort Mason Book Bay, an adjunct of the Main Library.

The Readers Cafe is operated by the Friends of the Library and the usual 10 percent membership discount will apply to all purchases.

“Supporting the San Francisco Public Library is as simple as savoring a cup of Blue Bottle coffee and enjoying a good read,” Rosedale said enthusiastically. She adds that an already full and diverse menu will be expanding in the months to come.

The cafe is open seven days a week and is located adjacent to the Book Bay at the south end of Building C. Discover the wide variety of menu choices and other details of the cafe at www.readerscafe.org.

Prior to moving into the large space it now occupies, Fort Mason’s Book Bay was crammed into the space that is now the Readers Cafe. As a library, the spot was too small, but as a place to eat, drink, read, and relax, it promises to be just right.

Readers Cafe: Building C, Fort Mason Center (Bay and Buchanan Streets); daily 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; www.readerscafe.org