December 98 — The Cafe basement of the Elliott Bay Book Company, an independent, family-owned bookstore founded in 1973 by Walter Carr, is surrounded by books that are neither for sale nor slick advertisements; they are to be read.
The walls are brick and the chairs and tables feel like they were stolen from some university’s dining hall. The studenty feeling persists since this cafe is attached to the famous Elliott Bay Book Company, whose ecclectic collection of books make it one of Seattle’s favorites.
There is an online schedule of upcoming readings as well as a mailorder service (the latter is nothing formal, just a way for you to get in touch with the owners and tell them what you’re looking for).
logoThe cafe as founded in 1979. Despite the 20 years of practice, the point here is not the coffee, but rather the energy from the books. There is a full menu from which you may order soup, salad, and light meals. There is a large selection of juices, teas, waters, and soft drinks — and the coffee drinks are all under two dollars.
This is a smoke-free environment and Elliott Bay’s Cafe doesn’t let you forget it! When you arrive, walk over to the counter, grab a tray and start ordering; there is no table service available.
Beware: please purchase your books before bringing them to the cafe. The Wall Street Journal and other newspapers are available from a central rack if you need to catch up on current events. But you needn’t rush — you can probably read an entire novel here without being bothered.
Tom Robbins has called the Elliot Bay Book Company “a soulful establishment… that transcends the general neurosis of consumerism and the soul-deadening avariciousness of most commerce… [and] functions as a freewheeling literary clubhouse and public diamond mine.”
The Elliott Bay Book Company is located at 101 South Main St. in historic Pioneer Square. Cafe hours are — weekdays 9 AM-8 PM, Saturdays 10 AM-8 PM, and Sundays 11 AM-5 PM.
Elliott Bay Cafe
101 South Main St.
Seattle, WA 98104
phone: 206-624-6600
toll-free: 800-962-5311
– Chris Abraham
