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    The 1920s Bookstore

    4.4 (32 reviews)
    Open • 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    By appointment only

    Updated a few days ago

    The 1920s Bookstore Photos

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    THE 1920S BOOKSTORE ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - The 1920s Bookstore

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    The wall!!
    Robert A.

    This hidden spot is such a gem with its cool decor and intimate vibe. The drinks were honestly impressive and crafted perfectly. I really enjoyed how the mixologist took the time to make each one special. It feels like the ultimate place to relax for a few hours. I will definitely be coming back here again soon.

    Geraldine E.

    This place is such a vibe! Very intimate and classy. The drinks are consistently delicious. We celebrated two anniversaries here with friends and it's been a pleasant experience each time. Due to their reservations policy there's always the perfect amount of people and never has it felt overly crowded. Cannot wait to go again!

    Christine L.

    This was such a unique experience! The speakeasy is hidden behind a wall of bookcases, but getting in is part of the fun. First, you'll need to find the clock, then the hidden entrance to the library. Once inside, follow the clues to signal someone behind the shelves to open the secret door leading into the speakeasy. It may sound complicated, but it's actually simple and adds to the overall experience. The drinks were excellent, with a menu offering something for every taste and age group. It's a one-of-a-kind spot in the area and the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of Old Sacramento. Whether you're on a date or catching up with a friend, it's a cozy, intimate place to enjoy a well-crafted cocktail and a memorable evening. San was a sweet Host who made us delicious drinks. made our experience memorable and positive. Happy to return again with other friends to try other drinks.

    Fabulous 40s
    Victor V.

    So I saw a few videos about this new bar that was opening up in Pioneer Square in Old Sacramento.I heard it was a true "speakeasy",so I knew I had to find out what it was all about. So after some downtown shenanigans I headed down to Pioneer Square and walked down the steps and looking around-nothing-just a bunch of doors with no signs of life and nothing indicating the place I was looking for even existed. So I did see one door that looked like something so I went in there and it was not the place I was looking for but it was another new bar in the area,so we decided to have a drink there and figure out where this bookstore was. So after a quick drink and some intel gathering,I ventured out back into the square and looked for a songbird. Once I found the songbird,I opened a nondescript door and found myself in a 3 sided bookcase kind of room.I was told two different ways to get into the speakeasy and I tried em both-one of them worked and I made my way into the cutest little bar. Once inside it was like we were transported to another time.It was a one-man operation in there and so being patient is definitely part of the vibe. They were playing true crooner type music,which added to the vibe.There are no windows in this bar,so there is no feel for what's happening outside,it's just another world entirely they are building inside this "speakeasy". The bartender greeted us when we got in and gave us this very cute menu-the menu is categorized by decades and features drinks from different decades going back to the 1920s. The drinks here are not cheap but I can say without a doubt-these drinks are made really well and somehow feel like the right price. True bartending craftsmanship is going into the making of each of these drinks. I found drinks ran from around $16-$20 each. They also have a non-alcoholic section of their menu but I didn't check to see how much those drinks ran-I'd imagine they are much cheaper since they don't contain alcohol. We decided to try a few drinks-this is what we had. 1. Negroni-this very gin forward drink was really great-really strong though. 2. El Diablo-this is basically a tequila and ginger beer cocktail with a touch of lime-excellent if you love tequila. 3. French 75-this is a Champagne drink with gin and simple syrup-excellently made and one of the best French 75s I've ever had. 4. Sazerac-rye whiskey and bitters in a glass rinsed with absinthe-this is the drink that sent me to the moon and back-I'm a Sazerac fan and this version of it shot way up the charts for me-it was great and very strong. Technically they are still in their soft opening phase and officially don't open until mid-July and will operate primarily by reservation most of the time,with walk-ins welcome if there are openings. It's a pretty small place with maybe 6-7 tables in the entire bar-it feels intimate for sure. In closing, I am so happy that Old Sacramento has such a great new place opening and the owners have really hit a home run with their concept and I will visit in the future and bring as many people as I can to check out the "bookstore".

    The entrance.
    Karin S.

    This is such a great place. The decades menu is so fun and the drinks were amazing. The ambiance was very unique and fun.

    Chapter 1 of the menu
    Laura Z.

    The ambiance, the storytelling behind the Prohibition era and speakeasy's, the drinks. Everything was amazing and felt purposeful. I started off with the Clover & Bijou and my husband had the Scofflaw & The Rob Roy. Look for the song bird clock to guide the entrance. It was fun trying to figure out how to get in. Took a few minutes but we figured it out.

    Me
    Felicia P.

    Went to the soft opening with my friend Kerensa and it felt like such a nice exclusive experience. Took us a few minutes to figure out how to actually get access, but we eventually were helped in. The decor and lighting is so cute, they even have tiny fire lamps at the table. We were greeted by Brian (sp?) And San (the owner). Brian gave us menus and the menus had different themed chapters by the decade and even some international drinks and a "Designated Driver" section with NA drinks! Brian also brought us water to start and snack mix - while we took in all our options to decide what to drink! From what I saw - drinks ranged from $16-19... NA drinks were $9-10 I ordered the Moscow Mule and the Shirley Temple. Kerensa got the Bee's Knees (gin drink). The Moscow Mule was big and pretty good. The Shirley Temple had a twist with ginger ale as the base but I prefer traditional 7up or Sprite. I really like the space and the music brought you back in time too. I look forward to when the business fully opens!

    Cheers!
    Michelle L.

    Such a fun, unique spot to enjoy a cocktail! So many choices though, would be awesome if they offered a "decades flight" with smaller portions so you could try a bunch! Or even if they did an event night for a set price and multiple taster size drinks would be served. I did not think I liked Gin, but oh my, the Clover Club was amazing! Also loved the Bee's Knees (three of us ordered different drinks and shared). Not too keen on the Aviation. Would be really nice if there was at least a pub snack mix or something though. It is strange to not have something to nibble on while enjoying your cocktails. We thought the bartender was initially a bit stand offish, but maybe thought that was part of the ambience of the "speak easy" vibe, but once he came to get our orders, he was super friendly and helpful! Will definitely visit again!!

    Menu book
    Judy H.

    Came in with friends on a Thursday night for 9:15pm reservation. This little speakeasy is really cool. Finding it and getting in was delightful. There was only one bartender (Aaron?) he was busy doing everything. We felt bad as it was pretty busy when we were there, but he did a great job helping all and making such good drinks!!! We were all very excited and happy with our choices. Would definitely call this a proper speakeasy and happy to have another place to go to for an exciting evening. Loved it!!

    The menu and table decor
    Zoey T.

    Drinks: Good selection. Some would say too good. Almost an overwhelming options of drinks. There were about 10 drinks per decade, and some were classic well drinks on the menu. I got an aviation cocktail; it was so strong and with little to no actual flavor. Ambiance: I really enjoyed the decor, the music, and the speakeasy aesthetic. It was a cute set up for sure. Some people missed the phone element entirely; this could have been due to already knowing where the door was from social media. Service: I hate to admit it, but the service was not very good. I would expect that working in a place with so much hype into the speakeasy niches and brand new opening; the vetting for more bartender charism would have been stronger.

    Bee's Knees!
    Kerensa U.

    Look for the songbird and you'll go back in time to a hidden place where you can sip on a cocktail inside possibly the most unique "bookstore" in town. My friend and I went to their soft opening and enjoyed trying to find the hidden door (I'm going to leave it up to their future guests to figure it out for themselves since I feel like that's part of the fun!). The menu is cute and organized into decades, which was fun. I chose the Bee's Knees, one of my favorite drinks, which has gin, lemon juice and honey, while my friend chose a Moscow Mule and a Shirley Temple. My drink was smooth and well-balanced, I'd order it again. The little dishes of snack mix were a nice touch and our waters came in pretty glasses, adding to the classy feel of the room. In addition the classics, the owner let us know they can make other drinks upon request. The Gatsby-ish wallpaper, glam ceiling and lighting were fun touches that added to the experience. The owner noted that while they won't be offering food when the bar officially opens, one of their soon-to-be neighbors will have food that you can bring into the bar. Thanks for having us!

    Michele R.

    What a fabulous new place! The 1920s Bookstore was a true speakeasy experience! Many other reviews and videos have shared how to get there. We didn't know the "secrets" and had to kind of wander around until we found it. Which what it was all about, right? The bartender made us some fabulous cocktails! The "menu" allowed us to read all about different decades and the popular cocktails of that time. With this kind of an experience, I expected their cocktail prices to be high. But they were not - average cocktail prices like what you'd pay for at a mid level restaurant and much lower price than what you'd pay for at a high end restaurant. Great date night idea! Make reservations - this is a small cozy place.

    We had such a great experience at 1920 Bookstore! The atmosphere is beautiful, the drinks were fantastic, and the service was excellent. It's such a unique and fun speakeasy with a really great vibe. Definitely make a reservation because it gets busy! One suggestion for management would be to place a small sign outside the door when the bar is at capacity. The doorbell was ringing every few minutes, and the bartenders had to keep stopping to let people know they couldn't accommodate anyone else. A sign could help make things easier for both the staff and guests. Overall, we had a wonderful time and would absolutely recommend 1920 Bookstore!

    Whisky sour. Very yummy.

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    Ask the Community - The 1920s Bookstore

    Review Highlights - The 1920s Bookstore

    “Once I found the songbird,I opened a nondescript door and found myself in a 3 sided bookcase kind of room.”

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    The 1920s Bookstore - speakeasies - Updated September 2026

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