Rough Draft Bar & Books

The owner of Newt recommended that I check out this coffee/used bookstore and I’m glad I did. I ordered a cafe air lait and the coffee was wonderfully smooth. They had benches and tables outside and it was a perfect way to enjoy my coffee and read a book I brought. A bonus is that dogs are welcome to come inside. Though not a dog owner, I do love dogs so seeing dogs made me happy.

Great chill spot for morning coffee, a study session, or to have a night cap! We visited during a holiday weekend, and though it was busy, we still found a spot to sit and enjoy the awesome atmosphere. Definitely recommend if you’re visiting the area!

Our recent weekend adventure was spent in Kingston, NY. I’ve been following a bunch of places on Instagram so we decided to do an overnight and try to do as much as we could. First stop was Rough Draft. First of all … the name is BRILLIANT! As a writer and book lover, I was squealing over this play on words! It’s this beautiful bookstore with cozy places to sit and relax and also a coffee shop/bar nestled into the original Kingston Academy building built in 1774 (that is, if I read the landmark sign out front correctly). Exposed beams in the ceiling, old brick and stone on the walls … so simply done but so rich in history and beauty. We walked in not knowing what to expect and there was a long line at the counter. We were quickly greeted by a barista/bartender asking if anyone wanted snacks, drip coffee, or beer to step out of line so we grabbed a couple bar stools and placed our order. The beer was local and delicious and we just sat and chatted, taking in all the bustling around us. It was so neat to sit next to people drinking coffee, espresso and lattes, beers and bond over books! I love this concept! We finished our beer, walked around the bookstore and headed to the next stop. When we return to Kingston, this will be my first stop again when we can stay longer! Highly recommend a visit here!

Rough draft is a book shop, coffee shop, and bar housed in one of the most historic buildings in Kingston. It is a place with respect of Kingston’s past while having a real pulse on Kingston’s present and hope for its future. The staff are incredible! They are knowledgeable, kind, and efficient. If you visit, I recommend you try one of the monthly coffee or tea specialties named after books. Each year I look forward to the “June Austin” (a lavender and vanilla latte), and the “sex drugs and coconuts” that generally returns in August. If none of these appeal to you, then I recommend the cold brew, the hot chocolate, and the mocha. I also recommend you try one of the pastries from the case that they source from Kingston bread and bar; my favorite being the salted chocolate chip cookies. The tap list is always exciting to look at as they do curate a fantastic selection of local craft beers and ciders. This place is excellent for everyone! They often have story time on Sundays for children. They have a schedule of events that always surprises me with its range from trivia nights, to author book signings, to meeting your public representatives. There’s bound to be something that interests you. They also encourage you to come to work with your lap tops or notebooks. The seating here allows it to be friendly to all size groups. There’s bar seating along the windows if you’re cruising solo, smaller tables of you have 2-4 people, one bigger table or a lounge area nestled around a coffee table for larger groups. I always recommend this place to friends visiting from out of state as I feel like this is a great place to see what Kingston is really like.

Within a historical building, the bookshop is boutique but has a wide range of excellent collections. Great atmosphere for a coffee or reading a book!

My first time to Kingston and this place did not disappoint. I came with a group and we found a comfy place to sit (it was cold so only inside available but I heard there is outdoor seating in the warmer months). Food was wonderful. Atmosphere was incredible. It was easy to talk and enjoy good company. Great for every group from intimate dates to families. I put only four stars because, maybe it's just inflation or the area, but the books seemed to be more expensive than I normally find.

Rough Draft Bar and Books is a unique experience. Located in an artsy area of town, they offer Counter Culter coffee, a brand I very much like, and handmade savory pies. The food is great, and the vibes are of equal quality. Also, like how they support local bakeries for their additional food items.

My friend and I met here for coffee at 11:00 am this morning. It was my first visit, and I was surprised to find that the place was hopping! This shop is everything a coffee shop should be. I had a chai tea latte, and my friend had coffee… my friend also bought three delicious looking chocolate chip cookies for her granddaughter! Although the coffee shop was full, we were able to sit and have a lovely conversation after grabbing two fold up chairs with cushions from the wall near the bathroom. The noise level was buzzing, but never so load that it would interrupt your conversation. Many people were working on their computers while others were happily chatting with friends and coworkers. I absolutely loved the vibe and I will certainly be returning at some point in the near future!