Does a night out consisting of craft beer, small plates of food, DJ sets and a good book sound appealing to you?
No, you have not read that wrong, a page-turning novel was on that list. Whilst older generations may see reading as a more introverted activity, it is rapidly becoming an essential part of a Gen-Z night out.
More and more young people are ditching the traditional clubs and bars and instead heading out to their local late-night libraries to blow off steam.
These new establishments are looking to cash-in on the resurgence of reading as a popular hobby – offering a selection of books alongside locally brewed ale, cocktails and live music.
The venues – found in places such as London, Manchester, Leeds and Glasgow – also run a number of book launching events and workshops, as popular BookTok authors carry out live readings of their work in a bookshop meets bar environment.
Young people have been seen enjoying books and booze whilst at a Book Club Scotland event in Glasgow
More and more young people are ditching the traditional clubs and bars and instead heading out to their local late-night libraries to blow off steam (pictured: The Bookish Babe Book Club event)
The venues also run a number of book launching events and workshops, which sees readings and talks carried out by popular BookTok authors in a bookshop meets bar environment
One of these locations is Hyde Park Book Club in Leeds, which provides people with both a space for watching up-and-coming musicians and comedians, whilst they browse for something to read.
Punters can be seen on the site’s social media pages enjoying a book or some vegan food, as they are surrounded by plants in the trendy, intimate space which runs as a bookshop, bar and home for an independent record label.
In Manchester, people are encouraged to ‘cometh read books & listen to records & drink wine’ at P3 Annihilation Eve.
Described online as a ‘cultural shop and drinking stop’, the site is a library fused with a record shop, with DJs playing until midnight on weekends and a ‘reading conclave’ for people to enjoy some food while reading.
Meanwhile, London’s fashionable crowds are arriving in their droves to Reference.Point to browse rare artwork and iconic magazines from the nineties as they sip on cocktails and listen to DJs or talks from poets, authors and BookTok influencers.
All of these venues also host regular book club nights as well, where reading enthusiasts fill these spaces to discussing their latest read with other like-minded people and tuck into some tasty food and drink.
The growth in late-night libraries and reading in general among young people is largely credited to BookTok – a subcommunity on the app TikTok that focuses on books and literature.
Creators make videos reviewing, discussing, and joking about the books they read – with more than 32 million posts and more than 167 billion views on the platform.
All of these venues also host regular book club nights as well , where reading enthusiasts are seen discussing their latest read with other people whilst enjoying some food and drink
The growth in late-night libraries and reading in general among young people is largely credited to BookTok – a subcommunity on the app TikTok that focuses on books and literature
A book’s popularity on TikTok can now be make-or-break for how many sales it achieves (pictured: An author speaks during The Bookish Babe Book Club event)
Hyde Park Book Club (pictured) in Leeds provides both a space for watching up-and-coming musicians and comedians, whilst also browsing for something to read
In Manchester, people are encouraged to ‘Cometh read books & listen to records & drink wine’ at P3 Annihilation Eve
A book’s popularity on TikTok can now be make-or-break for how many sales it achieves.
Popular BookTok books often feature the ‘romantasy’ genre – a combination of romance and fantasy – such as books by Sarah J. Maas.
In July last year, Rebecca Yarros’ Iron Flame became Waterstones’ fastest-selling pre-ordered title in history, after the first book in the series went viral on TikTok.
The owners of Notting Hill Bookshop in London said their sales were up ‘100 per cent’ since the pandemic – which they attributed to social media.
With over 167 billion views on TikTok, reviews and recommendations in the global BookTok community have inspired Gen Zs to ditch their screens in favour of a good old-fashioned book.
