Picture of a rare book that I read in past 5 years. The Pug took this.

Although it’s not the majority of bar-goers by any stretch of the imagination, a common question I get is “What’s the best bar to sit at and read a book?” This is a solid way to pass the time in public while solo, though I’ve never done it personally.

DCist journalist Colleen Grablick tweeted on Friday “fav bars in DC to sit alone with a book???? asking for me.” Over 80 spots were mentioned in the comments and quote tweets, but here are those mentioned most often:

MOST MENTIONED

Tryst (Adams Morgan) – opens at 7a daily

2ND MOST MENTIONED

Kramerbooks (Dupont) – opens at 8a daily

MENTIONED A BUNCH

The Quill at the Jefferson Hotel (Downtown) – opens at 2p M-F, noon Sat-Sun

All Souls (Shaw) – opens at 5p daily

Lyman’s Tavern (Columbia Heights) – opens at noon daily

Emissary (Dupont) – P st opens at 7:30a daily; 20th St opens at 8a daily

The Raven (Mt Pleasant) – opens at 5p daily

The Midlands (Park View) – opens at 3p M-Th, 1p F, 10a Sat, 11a Sun

Tabard Inn (Dupont) – opens at 8a daily (possibly closed 3-5p or no food)

No Goodbyes at The Line Hotel (Adams Morgan) – bar open at 3p daily

Mentioned Multiple Times: Dew Drop, Pub and the People, Fairmont Hotel, Commissary, The Roost, The Royal, City State, St. Vincent, Scarlet Oak, Busboys and Poets, Big Bear

List of those mentioned:

The Quill All Souls Lyman’s Dew Drop Midlands Brookland’s Finest Union Trust Tune Inn Pub and the People Trustys Tryst The Coupe A Baked Joint Emissary Tabard Inn Fairmont metrobar wydown kimpton willard Fountain Inn Comissary Boundary Stone The Roost The Line Kramerbooks Last Call Sonny’s The Royal Raven The Wonderland Pizzeria Paradiso The Eastern Beuchert’s Saloon The Runaway Righer Proper Brookland City State Nanny O’Briens Scarlet Oak Off the Record Dito’s bar Puro Gusto Cantina Bambina Jackpot Lost and Found The Passenger Kingfisher Churchkey Fox and Hounds Maxwell Park Hanks Jackie Lees Primrose Grand Duchess Mr Henrys The Saloon Busboys and Poets Big Bear Café Doyle Bar Sign of the Whale Bier Baron Green Zone Breadsoda Chacho Sospeso Dirty Habit Martin’s Tavern Marx Café Pitchers Hawk and Dove as your are buffalo and bergen irish channel Stoney’s Baked and Wired Ritz Quadrant Morris Bullfeathers Rigg’s Hotel St Anselm St Arnolds